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Post subject: Strings for American special P Bass
Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2013 7:07 am
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I wanted to get some imput on the types of roundwound strings other bass players are using on their P Bass other than the Fender strings that comes standard. Does anyone use Rotosound round stainless?


Last edited by rayfox on Sat Apr 13, 2013 6:09 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Stings for American special P Bass
Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2013 10:11 pm
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Yes- I've used (almost exclusively ) RotoSound round wounds since the 70's. No one has ever told me my sound sucks. Maybe they were all being nice. There are tons of bassists on this forum that love flatwounds and nylon strings. Watch out ! Here they come ! :)


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Post subject: Re: Stings for American special P Bass
Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2013 12:37 am
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Yeah Stoker's right. String selection is probably one of the most active topics on any bass forum.

I have my own set selections, but telling you what they are might do you more harm than good because it could actually send you down several completely wrong roads for you and your instrument.

A large part of what strings to get depends on what sound you want, how you play, what instruments you have, your amp setup, how long you want the string set to last and how much money you want to spend on a set of strings. A good starting point is to pick one star bassists tone you like, find out what he uses and try that set. I can guarantee you though that the exact same set will sound different when you use it.

What is right for me on my instruments is almost certainly wrong for you and/or your instrument. You can ask 100 different players, "What is the best string for an American Special P-Bass?" and you'll get about 100 different answers. Heck you might get more as some respondents will almost certainly give you a couple of choices.

There are multiple reasons for so many different answers. A string set sounds different on one instrument than on another. But trumping that reason is the inescapable fact that the exact same string set on the exact same instrument sounds startlingly different when played by different players. This is why that even with the same set of strings and the exact same model instrument you will not sound exactly like your favorite star player.

Some sets sound fine played finger-style but become overbearingly bright when played pick-style. Even the hardness of your fingernails and other anatomical differences come into play for a finger-style player. Strings that work well for slap and tap or jazz fusion don't do old school stuff well at all and vice-verse.

I love this one certain string set on one single coil P-Bass, another set on another single coil P-Bass, a different set for a split coil modern P-Bass, another set still for my P/J and yet another for my active which is a set that also happens to work well on a passive Jazz.

I've learned that just because a string set sounds great on "bass-A" doesn't mean it will sound as good or play as well for me on "bass-B."

Try a bunch of likely candidates and once you find a set you really like a lot on a certain instrument, then stick to it indefinitely and maybe for as long as you keep that instrument. Till you find that one perfect set try a bunch of different sets. Also know the entire time that when you switch instruments you might just wind up starting your quest all over again.

It is best to eventually find one set and stick to it as each time you try a different set you'll be doing a complete setup which can get to be a hassle eventually. Once you settle on one set routine string changes are a breeze with hardly any adjustments required.

Rotosound came out with the first rounds that I remember and still make that same Swing Bass 66 set, but in many more gauges today. The Swing Bass 66 also comes in both nickle and stainless varieties. There are at least 11 varieties of 4 string stainless Swing Bass 66 sets and 4 varieties of 4 string nickle Swing Bass 66 sets. So just saying Rotosound Swingbass 66 or Rotosound roundwounds isn't enough to narrow it down among the 15 different Swing Bass sets. This is a very popular line of rounds and it is fairly economical to buy a set of them to try, but not all 15.

The thing about buying bright rounds is you can always turn the tone knob or EQ down when you want a more mellow tone. With a set of large fat flatwound strings you'll find that you can only brighten them up to a point with EQ. So as much as I love flatwounds obviously rounds win in the versatility department. Versatility is important if you only have one instrument available. But that being said there still is NO substitute for big old fat flatwounds for true old school tone.

I could go on for hours about string selection but the long and short of it is that YOU have to find the right set for YOU and your American Special P-Bass and frankly nobody can tell you with any degree of certainty what that set will actually turn out to be. They can just tell you what works for them, which may not work for you at all.


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Post subject: Re: Stings for American special P Bass
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:02 am
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The only Rotos I've ever liked I use on my Acoustic/Electric Fender BG31. Those are the 88RSMs taped flats. I can't speak to their rounds. They do make a good string and plenty of people stand by them.

As Dave points out, what we all play isn't really going to help you much. It really all depends on what style of music you play and what tone you're chasing.

If you really don't know yet. I've found the Ernie Ball Regular Slinky's to be an "all around" great string. It gives you a good solid classic P bass roundwound sound. Perfectly suitable for most popular styles of music. Not very expensive as far as bass strings go. A good "working man's string" if you will.

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Post subject: Re: Stings for American special P Bass
Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2013 1:02 pm
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So many choices, depends on what you hear and what tone you are searching for. I've used them all. They all had their own sound. I played flats for a long time, but missed the snap of rounds. I'm currently very happy with DR Silver Stars and GHS Infinity Steels, both coated strings. Why because I miss the feel of flats, but now I can get the snap of rounds. Good luck, you'll find your sound.


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Post subject: Re: Stings for American special P Bass
Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2013 8:46 pm
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All true. Strings are so....personal.

I used to use nothing but flats on my p basses, and nothing but rounds on my j basses - except the Jaco, which also has flats. I am not even consistent with myself!

At one point I had two, identical 82 p basses and to me, they both sounded different with the exact same strings.

Stroker nailed me on the head, except I haven't gone the nylon route yet.

Brother Dave also called it right. To recommend a string would do you a disservice. Play one for awhile, if it doesn't give you what you want, try another. What sounds good to me on one of my basses may sound really bad to you on one of yours.

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Post subject: Re: Stings for American special P Bass
Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 8:32 pm
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I like the stock ones that came on my Am Sp Jazz Bass. D'Addarios, maybe Fender 8020's. Wish I knew so I could get some more.


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Post subject: Re: Stings for American special P Bass
Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2013 2:52 pm
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I use Rotosounds now. Golden combination! I definitely recommend getting you some!

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Post subject: Re: Stings for American special P Bass
Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2013 4:29 pm
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Post subject: Re: Stings for American special P Bass
Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2013 7:07 pm
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Really what else could we expect from Mr. Nylon?


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Post subject: Re: Stings for American special P Bass
Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2013 2:36 pm
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You Betcha'! They work for me.

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Post subject: Re: Stings for American special P Bass
Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2013 3:46 pm
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price wise the D'addario lights and when im feeling fancy GHS boomers and Rotosounds


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Post subject: Re: Stings for American special P Bass
Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2013 4:06 pm
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Tamey75 wrote:
price wise the D'addario lights and when im feeling fancy GHS boomers and Rotosounds

For me, my Rotosound Steve Harris flats have always been bright quite a long time. And the price increase over similar gauge by other makers is small enough to make the increased lifetime vs cost a viable option. Just my two cents.

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