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P bass strings


klokker

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Posted

Sorry if this question has been asked before. I did try the search engine........

 

Anyway, I'm getting a new Fender American Standard Precision Bass (4 string) and would like opinions on what the best strings for that classic rock p bass sound are. The stock ones sound fine to me, but looking for other ideas.

 

With my old Ibanez, I must have tried 6 or 7 sets of strings before I found something that worked for me on that bass. I may have to go through that process again but would like your opinions. Thanks in advance.

Ibanez RD 500

Fender American Standard P bass

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Posted

Double post....

 

The flats mentioned above by that guy are a great choice. I really enjoy DR rounds, I am currently using fatbeams, excellent stuff.

Posted

Welcome klokker,

Since I don't know what the "Classic Rock P Bass Sound" happens to be, I can't tell you how to find it. I think your first choice is to try to decide if you want to go with flats or rounds. The factory string is a round taperwound and is fairly bright and rough to the touch. I personally like flats for the music I play.

Rocky

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb, voting on what to eat for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb, contesting the vote."

Benjamin Franklin

Posted
With my old Ibanez, I must have tried 6 or 7 sets of strings before I found something that worked for me on that bass. I may have to go through that process again but would like your opinions. Thanks in advance.

 

You can ask 100 bassplayers what their favorite strings are for a p-bass or any other popular bass for that matter and you'll get 100 answers. What I'm getting at is your gonna have to try a bunch of different strings. Bass players are to strings as surfers are to wax. They all thing the type/brand they use are the best. Thats my crappy analogy for the day.

"there ain't no faux mojo" jcadmus
Posted

 

You can ask 100 bassplayers what their favorite strings are for a p-bass or any other popular bass for that matter and you'll get 100 answers. What I'm getting at is your gonna have to try a bunch of different strings. Bass players are to strings as surfers are to wax. They all thing the type/brand they use are the best. Thats my crappy analogy for the day.

 

It's actually a good analogy. And like all things that are worthwhile, there is no "right" answer....just a process (how's that for being a crappy philosopher?) I'll have to follow your advice. But I'm interested in this point to hear what others like as well.

Ibanez RD 500

Fender American Standard P bass

Posted

Actually, you might get two or three hundred answers from 100 bass players.

 

I've got La Bella flats on a Precision. They give the bass a 60's r&b kind of sound. That's one kind of classic sound.

 

I've got DR Highbeams on a lot of basses. They give a great round wound sound. With a pick, they give a real grinding sound. That's another kind of classic sound.

 

TI Jazz Flats are on another bass. They give another kind of flatwound sound which many people like. It's not exactly a classic sound, but it's a great sound.

Posted

I have D'Addario Chromes flatwounds on my P and like them a lot.

 

TIs are wonderful but be forewarned, they cost mucho dinero. You'll have to decide if they're worth it to you.

 

 

Posted
Sorry if this question has been asked before. I did try the search engine........

 

Anyway, I'm getting a new Fender American Standard Precision Bass (4 string) and would like opinions on what the best strings for that classic rock p bass sound are. The stock ones sound fine to me, but looking for other ideas.

 

Why don't you give us a better idea of the material you're playing? Are you playing with a pick or fingerstyle? Classic rock covers a lot of territory. So a little more specificity on your part might lend to some better educated responses from the forum membership.

 

But even then you're likely to get a slew of different answers, because everyone's got their own favorite flavor of strings.

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Posted

I have 2 p-basses.

 

La Bella black nylon tapewounds on one. Nice Motown sound.

 

DR High Beams on the other. Much more aggressive.

 

If I were forced to choose only one, it would be the tapewounds.

Push the button Frank.
Posted

I'm a DR Sunbeams kind of guy. In fact, they go on any bass IMHO.

 

Davo

"We will make you bob your head whether you want to or not". - David Sisk
Posted

I have DR Fatbeams on my P Special and they're pretty good, but when I change them next it will be to LaBella Super Steps. I had the LaBellas on a Jazz V before and they were awesome.

Oh yes - welcome klokker.

Visit my band's new web site.

 

www.themojoroots.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted
I'm a DR Sunbeams kind of guy. In fact, they go on any bass IMHO.

 

If this is a "post your favorite strings" thread and we're going to include nickle roundwounds, I have to shout out for Fender 7150s. They go well on both my basses, including my almost-P-bass G&L SB-2.

 

- Matt W.

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