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Post subject: What strings do you play on your P-bass?
Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 2:17 pm
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What brand, guage, style, etc.?


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Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 3:36 pm
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I'm kinda diggin' the ones that came with my Amer. Stand. right now.

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Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 5:41 pm
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'08 AMS P Bass, maple - Rotosound Swing '66 Bass Strings, just the stainless steel standards for now. I've thought about the Billy Sheehan signature series with a thicker E string. I would like to try experimenting with lower tunings and my action is "retarded low" according to a luthier I took my bass to, so apparently I have plenty of room for improvements as far as my setup goes anyway.


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Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:18 pm
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'07 American Series P-bass= D'addario Chromes ECB81 45-65-80-100, Looking at Labellas next
'06 Highway One P-bass= Fender 7250HM 50-70-85-105, Thinking about tuning to BEAD or going heavy flats and the other with lighter flats


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Post subject: Re: What strings do you play on your P-bass?
Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 5:34 pm
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Mastermold wrote:
What brand, guage, style, etc.?


Right now I'm using four different kinds of strings on four different instruments. I've used the Thomastik-Infeld brand exclusively for several years up until this spring. I was using only the TI POWERBASS Roundwound EB344 set which are .047/.068/.080/.107 and the TI JF344 Jazz Bass strings commonly referred to as Jazz Flats which are .043/.056/.070/.100. Now I have a set on a 54 P-bass.

Over the winter I purchased two sets of the new INFELD IN344 Rounds to try and wound up putting a set on a MIM P-bass to find that I much prefer the EB344 Powerbass set. I finally found some TI strings I don't like a whole lot. They are OK but frankly are nothing really special. Spend the extra for the EB344's and stay away from the IN344's. They are not even close.

About this same time as the IN344 experiment, I bought a set of GHS PRECISION FLATS (set 3025) which are very light at 45/60/75/95 to put on my new '51 P-Bass reissue. Here's the kicker. They are half the price of the TI Jazz Flats but I really like them a lot! The tension is higher that the TI Flats but not too high. It is too early to say how long the GHS set will last though. Durability and a long life is one of the many attributes of the TI strings and the reason I used them exclusively for so long.

My main complaint with flats in general is that the tension is often so high they are hard to fret. BUT, the TI Jazz Flats are so low tension that they might be too floppy for really hard finger style plucking. For my style of playing the slightly higher tension of the GHS Precision Flats makes them earlier to play in a hard and heavy fashion and they sound really good with a very smooth feel. I'm going to buy more of the GHS Precision Flats. They are a very good value.

So for right now I'm sticking with the TI POWERBASS EB344 rounds and the GHS 3025 Flats. Both are great! I consider the GHS 3025 set a real find and can highly recommend them for someone looking for a medium tension flat. A really fine string, especially for such a reasonable price. They are not for fusion or anything like that, but for the old R&B stuff they are perfect. I don't even need a mute on them.


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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 12:20 pm
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Hey, I've heard that Thomastik Power Bass strings keep their new "zing"-ish tonal qualities longer than any other roundwound. I'm keen on my Rotosound Swings, but I wouldn't mind trying some other strings for the sake of trying them. Are the TI EB334's comparable to the Rotosound Swing Bass '66's tone-wise, and do they really last a lot longer than most other bass strings?

Also, do you think if I installed a set of Power Bass strings, I'd need any kind of major adjustment as far as action (mine is pretty low) or trusrod are concered?


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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 2:22 pm
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Bassman101 wrote:
Are the TI EB334's comparable to the Rotosound Swing Bass '66's tone-wise, and do they really last a lot longer than most other bass strings?


I've never actually used the Rotosound SB66 set because I heard they were rough on your frets. I have used Rotosound flats though and didn't like the high tension or how quickly the tone degenerated in a few months.

The TI PowerBass EB344 strings sound really edgy and zingy. I can get closer to a Chris Squire type tone with them on an old P-Bass than any other string. The set I'm playing now on my number 1 bass (which I play daily) are nearly a year old. I usually replace them in August or September just because I think they probably need changing. Any tonal changes are so gradual and slight that I don't notice them. They are my favorite string bar none. Can't say enough good about them, but remember that the "INFELD" IN344 set is NOTHING like the TI PowerBass EB344 set. I didn't like them much at all.

Bassman101 wrote:
Also, do you think if I installed a set of Power Bass strings, I'd need any kind of major adjustment as far as action (mine is pretty low) or trusrod are concered?


Minor adjustments would be in order because the diameter might be different throwing your intonation off a bit and the TI EB344 tension is probably lower than on the Rotosounds so you'd need more relief in the neck, meaning loosen the nut a bit. The TI EB344's are lower tension rounds than most but not what I'd call floppy. Certainly not as floppy as the TI JF344 Jazz Flats. I think the PowerPass string tension is just right.

The PowerBass set is also pretty expensive but it is definitely worth it to me. I won't buy any other rounds for now. I also liked a set of Ernie Ball rounds that were on a used P-bass I bought a couple of years ago. The sound was close to the TI PowerBass set in upper mids but the output wasn't quite as hot and the lows weren't as powerful on the Ernie Ball rounds.

Hope that helps.


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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 10:30 am
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brotherdave wrote:
Bassman101 wrote:
Are the TI EB334's comparable to the Rotosound Swing Bass '66's tone-wise, and do they really last a lot longer than most other bass strings?


I've never actually used the Rotosound SB66 set because I heard they were rough on your frets. I have used Rotosound flats though and didn't like the high tension or how quickly the tone degenerated in a few months.

The TI PowerBass EB344 strings sound really edgy and zingy. I can get closer to a Chris Squire type tone with them on an old P-Bass than any other string. The set I'm playing now on my number 1 bass (which I play daily) are nearly a year old. I usually replace them in August or September just because I think they probably need changing. Any tonal changes are so gradual and slight that I don't notice them. They are my favorite string bar none. Can't say enough good about them, but remember that the "INFELD" IN344 set is NOTHING like the TI PowerBass EB344 set. I didn't like them much at all.

Bassman101 wrote:
Also, do you think if I installed a set of Power Bass strings, I'd need any kind of major adjustment as far as action (mine is pretty low) or trusrod are concered?


Minor adjustments would be in order because the diameter might be different throwing your intonation off a bit and the TI EB344 tension is probably lower than on the Rotosounds so you'd need more relief in the neck, meaning loosen the nut a bit. The TI EB344's are lower tension rounds than most but not what I'd call floppy. Certainly not as floppy as the TI JF344 Jazz Flats. I think the PowerPass string tension is just right.

The PowerBass set is also pretty expensive but it is definitely worth it to me. I won't buy any other rounds for now. I also liked a set of Ernie Ball rounds that were on a used P-bass I bought a couple of years ago. The sound was close to the TI PowerBass set in upper mids but the output wasn't quite as hot and the lows weren't as powerful on the Ernie Ball rounds.

Hope that helps.


Have you tried DR Hi-Beams?

I just put a set on one of my P-basses last night based off recommendations I'd read, and they're really bright and punchy too. And with DR's compression winding process, they're supposed to be easier on your frets too.

I'd purchased the set originally with my Ric 4003 in mind but decided to try them on a P-bass instead. Cool tone.


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Post subject: Re: What strings do you play on your P-bass?
Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 10:33 am
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brotherdave wrote:
Mastermold wrote:
What brand, guage, style, etc.?


Right now I'm using four different kinds of strings on four different instruments. I've used the Thomastik-Infeld brand exclusively for several years up until this spring. I was using only the TI POWERBASS Roundwound EB344 set which are .047/.068/.080/.107 and the TI JF344 Jazz Bass strings commonly referred to as Jazz Flats which are .043/.056/.070/.100. Now I have a set on a 54 P-bass.



How do you like the TI flats on your P-bass? I've got a set on my Squier Jazz fretless and love them, so I bought another set to try on a fretted bass but can't figure out which of my other basses I want to try them on. I've got a few P-basses so I figured I'd pick one and give it a go.


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Post subject: 8250 Super Bass Fender
Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:58 am
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I have used Ernie Ball, Rotosound, and now Fender 8250's Superbass Medium. Fender says it is made for their string through body models. I bought them for the .110 E string. Much to my surprise the E string core reached over my BA2 bridge. The wounding started about 1/2 inch past the saddle. I said the hell with it, put it on anyway, lifted the E string saddle enough so the string would not touch the frets at the high end and let 'er rip. It was just the sound it was looking for, deep and smooth. I only hit my E for some color or in passing. I'm not sure if I would recommend it that way for someone who plays alot on the E.

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Post subject: Re: What strings do you play on your P-bass?
Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:22 pm
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Mastermold wrote:
How do you like the TI flats on your P-bass? I've got a set on my Squier Jazz fretless and love them, so I bought another set to try on a fretted bass but can't figure out which of my other basses I want to try them on. I've got a few P-basses so I figured I'd pick one and give it a go.


They sound "old school smooth" on the '54, which is how I want that particular bass to sound. They are stable too with very little tonal variation over a long period of time. However, The TI JF344's are not as "old school thumpy" as the GHS 3025 Precision Flats on the '51 Reissue P-bass which thump like crazy (in a very good way.)

I find the TI Jazz Flats are a little too floppy to really thump them very hard and I do love to thump on a P-Bass sometimes. The tension is so low that I have gotten careless and rolled the E string completely off the fretboard while fretting up about the 7th fret. They are not by any means a fusion, funk, slap, tap & pop string either but then again only one of the basses I have are meant for that anyway. For those more modern, progressive and aggressive styles or for an edgier sound I'd suggest the TI PowerBass EB344's.

Lots of fretless players love the Jazz Flat JF344's and JF345's. If you are accustomed to them on the fretless you should like them on the P-Bass.

The TI Jazz Flats can sound much brighter on my Active EQ Ibanez SRX-700 making them more of a "full service" string. If you have an active P-bass you might find them more versatile on an active P-bass than a passive one. I'm probably putting the GHS Precision Flat 3025's on the '54 next. I'm really impressed with that GHS set on the '51 RI P-Bass and they cost less than half what the TI's Jazz Flats cost.

The Jazz Flats are very durable and have a really righteous rich sound with both lows and highs. They are sort of unique in that regard, but still seem to work best on an active bass that will take advantage of their full range.


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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 8:36 pm
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I picked up some D'addario halfrounds (45-65-80-100) last weekend and put them on my Highway One. I really like them so far, roundwound sound but without the finger noise. A keeper for me. :D


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Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 9:24 pm
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I always and still will use Rotosound swing bass. I never even tried any other strings because I can get the sound I like with Rotosounds


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Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 5:03 pm
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Everytime I find "my" string, I end up trying a different brand or gauge or both. So right now I'm sticking with Fender 7350M. I do love the stainless steel sound tho.

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Post subject: Re: What strings do you play on your P-bass?
Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 2:08 pm
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brotherdave wrote:
Mastermold wrote:
How do you like the TI flats on your P-bass? I've got a set on my Squier Jazz fretless and love them, so I bought another set to try on a fretted bass but can't figure out which of my other basses I want to try them on. I've got a few P-basses so I figured I'd pick one and give it a go.


They sound "old school smooth" on the '54, which is how I want that particular bass to sound. They are stable too with very little tonal variation over a long period of time. However, The TI JF344's are not as "old school thumpy" as the GHS 3025 Precision Flats on the '51 Reissue P-bass which thump like crazy (in a very good way.)

I find the TI Jazz Flats are a little too floppy to really thump them very hard and I do love to thump on a P-Bass sometimes. The tension is so low that I have gotten careless and rolled the E string completely off the fretboard while fretting up about the 7th fret. They are not by any means a fusion, funk, slap, tap & pop string either but then again only one of the basses I have are meant for that anyway. For those more modern, progressive and aggressive styles or for an edgier sound I'd suggest the TI PowerBass EB344's.

Lots of fretless players love the Jazz Flat JF344's and JF345's. If you are accustomed to them on the fretless you should like them on the P-Bass.

The TI Jazz Flats can sound much brighter on my Active EQ Ibanez SRX-700 making them more of a "full service" string. If you have an active P-bass you might find them more versatile on an active P-bass than a passive one. I'm probably putting the GHS Precision Flat 3025's on the '54 next. I'm really impressed with that GHS set on the '51 RI P-Bass and they cost less than half what the TI's Jazz Flats cost.

The Jazz Flats are very durable and have a really righteous rich sound with both lows and highs. They are sort of unique in that regard, but still seem to work best on an active bass that will take advantage of their full range.


I've got a new set of TI flats sitting around and can't decide whether to put them on one of my P-basses or a Ric 4003. Eventually I'll have to make a decision . . .

Thanks for your input!


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