Flatwound strings on a USA Fender P-Bass

What's Hot
RockerRocker Frets: 4947
I can get a set of D'Addario Chromes fairly easily here in Ireland.  Without the €15.00 post and packaging charges that Thomann apply!  I play mainly Country with an Irish flavour, so would these strings give me the Country/Upright Bass sounds that I hope to achieve.  The bass is strung with the roundwounds that were fitted in the factory.  To my ears, they sound a bit 'zippy' and are hard on my fingers.  I use a home made foam damper at the bridge to reduce the zippiness.

I asked a similar question several months ago.. The many responses only showed that most available flatwound string sets have their adherents, all of which showed that flats will work on a P-Bass, but I ended up confused by the responses and did nothing about changing from the rounds.

Thanks in advance guyys.
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. [Albert Einstein]

Nil Satis Nisi Optimum

0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
«1

Comments

  • BridgehouseBridgehouse Frets: 24579
    Chromes are bright at first and then do full down to a very pleasing thump on a P bass. 

    I pretty much use chromes exclusively now and they sound really nice on fretless. 

    Try some. If you don’t like them you can sell them. That’s the thing about bass strings - there’s a used market.
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • I used to use the black nylon wound flatwounds years ago, they gave a nice solid 'thump' from new. I haven't seen any for years though and don't know if they are still available.
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • FunkfingersFunkfingers Frets: 14323
    I think that I have Fender flats on my AV63 P Bass. (They have been on quite a while!

    Flats on a Precision is THE original electric bass guitar sound. It appears on more recordings than anyone on this forum could shake a stick at - even the grumpiest, old farts.
    Be seeing you.
    1reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • Flats on a P is always good. I stopped paying for flats when I found dirty rounds with the tone rolled back was close enough, because I am cheap, and have fingers like bricks now.
    Flats are comfier and sound great. Do it.
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • It'll definitely give you that sound you're after as well, though you may need to wind back the tone a bit.
    I used my P-bass like this for a folk band I was in while my upright needed fixing, it was close enough for jazz (well folk)
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • fretmeisterfretmeister Frets: 23955
    Thomastik TI flats live on my P bass.
    Currently well under RRP on Amazon.

    Still expensive really, but I have got over 5 years out of a set.
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 1reaction image Wisdom
  • garfygarfy Frets: 143
    +1 for Thomastik flats, love em on my P bass 
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • KeefyKeefy Frets: 2272
    I have always used Chromes on my ‘73 Precision. I use it mainly for country and big band. There is definitely a hint of upright bass in the sound, which is fat and woody. Definitely worth a try @Rocker ;
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • jpfampsjpfamps Frets: 2723

    La Bella Deep Talkin' Bass 45-105.


    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • If you want old school thump without breaking the bank, Elites Detroit flats are decent enough. 

    The Swamp City Shakers
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 1reaction image Wisdom
  • bbill335bbill335 Frets: 1368
    jpfamps said:

    La Bella Deep Talkin' Bass 45-105.


    i've just ordered these for my old tokai p.  i would have liked to go for the heavy 52-110 (?) original gauges but i'm not much of a bass player so will try to work up to the heavier gauge. 
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • FunkfingersFunkfingers Frets: 14323
    The heavier LaBella DTB strings are fine if you have the finger strength of a long-serving upright bassist. i.e. James Jamerson and his preference for a ridiculously high action on his Fender Precision Bass.
    Be seeing you.
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • stickersticker Frets: 869
    Thomastik TI flats live on my P bass.
    Currently well under RRP on Amazon.

    Still expensive really, but I have got over 5 years out of a set.
    The Jap '62 reissue you sold me in 2014 still has it's set on and they're still going strong! 
    0reaction image LOL 2reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • fretmeisterfretmeister Frets: 23955
    As I just bought the sheet music for this lot I thought I'd share the playlist of one of the finest P bass players ever.
    Precision + La bella strings + foam mute

    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2VThsbR1aAtdtwJ1BpB5gj?si=4fefa68d2bdf4c07

    All the sheets are in the book "Standing in the Shadows of Motown"

    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 1reaction image Wisdom
  • fretmeisterfretmeister Frets: 23955
    sticker said:
    Thomastik TI flats live on my P bass.
    Currently well under RRP on Amazon.

    Still expensive really, but I have got over 5 years out of a set.
    The Jap '62 reissue you sold me in 2014 still has it's set on and they're still going strong! 
    Then I refer you to Ed Friedman's instruction... "You should change your bass strings every 10 years... whether they need it or not!"

    Nearly there!
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • fretmeisterfretmeister Frets: 23955
    Also - was it really that long ago? Blimey!
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • I put TI flats on my build last year. They're barely broken in and sound great. 

    I wonder whether I might like rounds for more rocky stuff, but I try not to overthink it on bass...
    The Assumptions - UAE party band for all your rock & soul desires
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • RockerRocker Frets: 4947
    I searched for Thomastick flats and found JF 344, set of four. The packet is labelled Jazz, are they the strings that are referred to as TI?  Thanks. 
    Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. [Albert Einstein]

    Nil Satis Nisi Optimum

    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • Yep, that's the one. "Jazz flat" 
    The Assumptions - UAE party band for all your rock & soul desires
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • fretmeisterfretmeister Frets: 23955
    Rocker said:
    I searched for Thomastick flats and found JF 344, set of four. The packet is labelled Jazz, are they the strings that are referred to as TI?  Thanks. 
    Yes. TI = "Thomastik Infeld" is the company name.

    Do shop around for prices - they vary a great deal.
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
Sign In or Register to comment.