Bit of back story and my reasoning for getting a short scale in the first place - I loved the sound of my p-bass but I found the string spacing and distance between the frets way too big for me, just didn't like it. So I got a Squier VM Jag bass which looks and feels awesome - the neck is much narrower and the fret spacing feels great.
Unfortunately I've noticed that my recordings sounded way better with the long scale p-bass. In terms of tuning/tightness as well as tone. I want to get some thicker strings to get the same tension as the P-bass on my Jag which in my mind should help tighten things up and give it more punch? What brand/model do you guys suggest? A quick Google suggests GHS or D'addario? I think it has 40-95 gauge at the minute, what should I up it to? Flat or round? I just don't fancy spending all that money on a set of strings and they turn out to not be what I was after!
Anything else I can do to get close to the tones I was getting before with the p-bass other than go back to using one?
Comments
Q2) Was your P Bass regular or does it have a second pickup?
Short scale bass guitars always sound kinda plunky compared to 34" scale ones. The obvious case in point would be Tina Weymouth of Talking Heads. Her Mustang Bass performances always sound slightly "rubbery" and lack sustain - even compared to her Hofner phase.
My suggestion is D'Addario EPS165 round wound 45-105 Stainless Steel wrap. http://daddario.com/DADProductsBass.Page?ActiveID=1905
Amp settings might help, but if you really like the P bass sound I actually recommend spending time with it to get used to the scale length and string spacing. With any other bass you're always going to be hunting for a holy grail sound that you won't find until you use a full scale p bass.
I tried a load of PJ configured basses and decided they were neither fish nor foul (but that's probably just me tho).
To me, it feels like you have a sound in your head - and the P got there, but the Jag isn't.
Flatwounds may indeed help with the sound.