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Post subject: New Strings
Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 8:13 am
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Hi all, first time post. I have a new 62RI precision Bass (sunburst) and I am wanting to replace the factory strings with flat wounds . I have been told the factory strings are .45-.100. I am considering either GHS ML3075 or RotoSound RS77LD. The GHS are .52-.103 and RS are .45-.105. My question is will the larger size strings fit in the groove in the nut without having to file the groove. I was going to order these online but dont know how to modify the nut if they dont fit. Thanks in advance for your knowledge. :?


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Post subject: Re: New Strings
Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 10:20 am
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ryellowcorvette wrote:
Hi all, first time post. I have a new 62RI precision Bass (sunburst) and I am wanting to replace the factory strings with flat wounds . I have been told the factory strings are .45-.100. I am considering either GHS ML3075 or RotoSound RS77LD. The GHS are .52-.103 and RS are .45-.105. My question is will the larger size strings fit in the groove in the nut without having to file the groove. I was going to order these online but dont know how to modify the nut if they dont fit. Thanks in advance for your knowledge. :?



They should fit fine. I personally run Fender 9050MLs. (.050-.100). They are high tension, and give you that old school classic sound. .105 is a pretty heavy string for a flat, imo. If you've used them before then, yeah, go ahead. There shouldn't be any problem. If you haven't I'd warn that I've found over the years that gauges for flats and rounds aren't exactly relative. I like my rounds heavier than my flats. Flats in my experience don't move as easy. (The rounds I use the E string runs .106) Jmo, of course. Good luck!

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Post subject: Re: New Strings
Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:45 pm
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Welcome to the Forum!

You seem to have made up your mind about the strings. But if not, then what flats to use depend on the sound you want probably more than the size of the nut slot. The GHS 3075's such as the ML3075 set are named "Brite Flats" because they have a more modern bright and unconventional tone than the vintage flats people are used to when they hear the word "flatwound." If that is the thing you are looking for then give them a try.

Sometimes people that go to the expense of buying of a 62 Reissue P-Bass want the vintage correct tone. In GHS products the "Stainless Precision Flat" 3050 or 3050M set would come closer to a '62 era tone than the GHS "Brite Flats" in any gauge. I currently use both the GHS 3050 (the big REGULARS not the M's) and the GHS 3025 sets myself and like them fine. In spite of the fact they are both GHS "Stainless Precision Flats" by name they sound and play remarkably different. The facts they are CHEAP and are made in the USA are bonuses.

The Labella 760M sometimes called "The Jamerson Set" or the "Original 1954 Set" was the set that came on an actual 1962 P-Bass in 1962 and remarkably this exact same set is still available today. I'm not recommending them, just stating a fact. You'd need nut slot filing to use those for sure.


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Post subject: Re: New Strings
Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:57 pm
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Welcome and good first post! Congrats on your '62 RI P :)

I use Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats on my '76 Precision. They are made the way strings were made back in the '50's. They have a pure nickel wrap and that does make a big difference in the tone. This is the sound of the originals of the day. They are damned expensive at about $75 a four string set, but they last a very long time. I've had mine for 5+ years and they still sound great. I've been told that it takes 10 years to properly 'season' a set. They hold tune very well. Actually they stay in tune better than any other string I've ever used.

Enjoy your Pricision no matter which strings you choose! 8)

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Post subject: Re: New Strings
Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 2:36 pm
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Well I had just about worn my computer out looking at all the reviews and ads for strings. I think after reading Brotherdave's post it made my decision easier. I was tired of looking and thinking about it because the more I read the more I was confused. I ordered a set of GHS 3050 regular and they should be here in about 3 days. Thanks for all your input and I will let you know how they work for me. :D :D :D


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Post subject: Re: New Strings
Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2012 11:36 am
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brotherdave wrote:
The Labella 760M sometimes called "The Jamerson Set" or the "Original 1954 Set" was the set that came on an actual 1962 P-Bass in 1962 and remarkably this exact same set is still available today. I'm not recommending them, just stating a fact. You'd need nut slot filing to use those for sure.

^ What he said. I used them once. Loved them, but almost lost a P-Bass in the process to what I'd call subjective murder. Better play it safe. :wink:

I'm not familiar with the GHS strings so I can't say much. I do use the RS flats on one of my basses though and while they have the foundation of flatwound strings, they also produce a considerable brightness if you wanna compare to the more thumpy, muddy flats that we all love. I think the best example would be Roger Waters, he uses RS flats and based on which gauge you decide on, can give you a slightly similar tone... maybe. I don't know. :oops:

I do see that you went for the GHS tho, so kudos to you on that. Do let us know how they sound on a '62. :D

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Post subject: Re: New Strings
Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2012 10:23 pm
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linnin wrote:
Welcome and good first post! Congrats on your '62 RI P :)

I use Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats on my '76 Precision. They are made the way strings were made back in the '50's. They have a pure nickel wrap and that does make a big difference in the tone. This is the sound of the originals of the day. They are damned expensive at about $75 a four string set, but they last a very long time. I've had mine for 5+ years and they still sound great. I've been told that it takes 10 years to properly 'season' a set. They hold tune very well. Actually they stay in tune better than any other string I've ever used.

Enjoy your Pricision no matter which strings you choose! 8)


Linnin, I use the Thomastik-Infeld JF344 Jazz Flats set on one bass. They don't sound at all vintage on it either. TI Jazz Flats have little in common with the OEM strings on the real 62 P-Bass beyond being round, silver colored, having a silk layer between the core and outer wrap and tuning E-A-D-G.

The Labella 760M's were the original strings on a 1962 Fender Precision and they have the highest tension of any set I've ever tried, which is why I stay away from them now. They also are stainless ribbon wrapped, not nickle like your TI's. The Labella 760M's also last practically forever until you break one or they warp your neck. Both Jamerson and Dunn used them exclusively. Jamerson basically used the same set, replacing broken strings as he broke them, from the time he bought THE FUNK MACHINE P-Bass in 1962 until it was stolen from his kitchen in 1983 as he lay on his deathbed.

The tension on the TI JF344 set is ultra-low and they don't have the vintage thump at all but do have very long sustain. Good modern tone, sensitivity and sustain, yes. Vintage thumpy Jamerson/Dunn tone, no way even after 10 years.

The TI JF344 set has gone up about 120% in the past 8 years that I've been using them. I used to pay $32 a set for them. Their current list is $130 in the USA. That is absolutely ridiculous as it works out to more than 32 bucks PER STRING. The reason for that is the US dollar exchange rate for Euros since they are made in Austria. That retail is almost comical. I've got basses I didn't pay $130 for.

They are not strictly a ribbon wound flat either, which is why that sustain is there.

You are right about the Jazz Flats lasting a very long time, but after about 3 years I wanna change 'em anyway just on general principle. After I run out of sets on hand I'm not buying another set of the TI Jazz Flats and will switch that instrument to something else. I don't think I'm running out anytime soon though and in all probability will outlive my on-hand supply. I only use them on an active bass so I can boost the lows. They sound sort of mid heavy to me on a passive Precision or Jazz, but for some things they are very nice on an active. I think they make a good funk string for example.

If you can get a vintage sound out of the TI Jazz Flats, then my hat is off to you because you are doing something I just never could. If you are going to play flats with a pick, the Jazz Flats sound better for that because of the inherent sustain that makes them sound less clicky than traditional flatwounds.


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Post subject: Re: New Strings
Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 12:28 pm
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I have used GHS Bright Flats for about 20 years.
They sound great, easy on your frets and fingers.
Great overall strings


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Post subject: Re: New Strings
Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 6:10 pm
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For Brother Dave:

You are right that the T-I Jazz Flats are tone monsters (my words, not yours).

Vintage tone is far more than just Jamerson or Dunn dull/dead thumping through an equally unexciting Ampeg amp. Bass Blasphemy, I know. :wink:

I lived with an Ampeg B-15 for a few months (never actually owned it) and hated it. Give me my Kustom 200 back. :)

My '72 P came with flats. I'm going to guess Fenders, but I don't know for sure. They had good solid tone, and weren't just some heavy; dull, & lifeless thumpers. I never changed the strings on that bass.

Recording technology had a lot to be desired as did record players of the day. If you could hear the bass at all, it was often a dead thump. That doesn't mean it actually started out that way.

I don't know what you had in 1972, but I had great full wide ranging tone, and that's vintage Fenderific tone to me. 8)

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Post subject: Re: New Strings
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 11:08 am
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Well I got the 3050 "regulars" put them on and they feel really good. They are as slick as butter. They sound great and I am happy. Thanks for all your input. :D :D :D


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Post subject: Re: New Strings
Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2012 5:37 pm
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ryellowcorvette wrote:
Well I got the 3050 "regulars" put them on and they feel really good. They are as slick as butter. They sound great and I am happy. Thanks for all your input. :D :D :D


I think they were a good choice for a '62 Vintage Reissue bass. Give them a month or two to settle in and I think you'll like them better. You may even want to use some felt muting on them temporarily till they mellow out a bit. I've got a page on how to use felt wrap muting on flats posted here: http://brotherdave.com/add_mute.htm

And Linnen, the B-15 is somewhat limited in volume which is precisely why it made a good recording amp. It is also capable of working fine in stand-alone use for something like a jazz trio of electric bass, drums and piano. Anything much beyond that and it is underpowered. I've noticed Will Lee is no longer using his B-15 in the CBS Orchestra after having it up there for several years. Now there is a Harke stack there. Maybe he got a Hartke endorsement deal...dunno. He does have an endorsement deal with Sadowski who market his signature Will Lee bass models there. However he plays many different brands of instruments, including Fender.


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Post subject: Re: New Strings
Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 6:44 pm
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well for pick players, I may recommend Chromes and Rotosound flats as well, they sound a bit brighter than the usual flatwounds...

Brite Flats IMO are close to the tone of Me'shell Ndegeocello, they're bright yet preserves that wood tone (However Me'shell uses LaBella Quarter Wounds)

well I must say I've had experience with the GHS flats regulars, and had my bass rest for a while, these strings bent my neck I'm not sure if it's the humidity of our country, I guess I'm gonna try DR flats next time..

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