The Gretsch Pages: Discussions: The Bass-ment: P-Bass Strings????

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P-Bass Strings????

- Rated: 2 ↑
Mar 10, 2008 1:46 p.m. jetboy:

I bought a Mike Dirnt '51 P-Bass off of E-Bay a few years back and it is my all time favorite bass. I even got rid of my '57 American Reissue because I never played it (Another vote up for MIM quality and playabilty). The thing is I walked by it the other day and knocked it off the stand. Oooooppps!!!! When I did it flatened the A string at the 3rd fret and left a dead spot. I twisted the string so the dead spot wouldn't effect play but I still would like to replace the strings (yes, I have never felt the need to replace them before because I love the warm sound they produce). Now I am hoping someone can ID the strings so I can buy another set. They are round wound and are finished up top with black thread just like a RotoSound but in black as I stated.

So does anyone know who's strings these are? Like I said I don't want to change the sound at all. I know they will be brighter for a little while but I'll break 'em in , trust me.

Your help will be greatly appreciated.
- Rated: 44 ↑
Mar 10, 2008 2:04 p.m. dignan:

This may not be the answer you're after, but:

I don't think it matters at all.

Over the years, I've never used the same brand of bass string twice - partly because I like to try different types, partly because bass strings last so durned long I rarely change them.

Some stay brighter longer, but after a few months they all sounded the same.
- Rated: 10 ↑
Mar 10, 2008 5:17 p.m. pickerpete:

Sorry I can't ID the strings but...I've always gone with Thomastic Bass strings over the years on my stand up and recently tried their flat wounds on my J-Bass and wasn't disappointed. Nice warm and lively sound with a quality silky feel. A few bucks more but well worth it. Nice red wrappers too.

Oh, and 1 up for the Hank Willians avatar--My all time musical hero.
- Rated: 28 ↑
Mar 10, 2008 5:48 p.m. cyclopssam:

buy a set of blue steels and be happy
- Rated: 4 ↑
Mar 12, 2008 9:30 a.m. JimL:

I've always used Roto-Sound long-scale Swing Bass strings on my '55 P-Bass for 20 years or more. Always had good results. Haven't bought any for a while, as I'm currently not gigging. Don't know if they're still available.
- Rated: 25 ↑
Mar 13, 2008 12:03 p.m. Shuie:

Jetboy, I have absolutely no idea what those strings are.

It's a bit sad really, considering how much bass I actually play (I've earned more this year playing bass than guitar) that I take so little interest in the machine itself and considering how much time and effort gets put into the six stringers.

The bass in question is a black/black 70's right hand Mustang and all the attention it's had in the 15 years I've had it is the fitting of a foam mute and flipping round the strings for sinister lefty action.

Nine years ago, the bass player in the band I played in, a very handy Mark King kinda player, did one of his frequent string changes. He just loved that new string zing. He gave me his old set of roundwound something-or-others. I boiled them, put them on and they've been there ever since.

At the next string change, scheduled for October 2025, I might try flatwounds. I hear they last longer.
- Rated: 2 ↑
Mar 13, 2008 9:21 p.m. jetboy:

Thanks for all the opinions guys. pickerpete and shuie I have been thinking about flatwounds because I haven't played them since I got them on the first bass I ever owned and when I first got that American '57 and I am kinda curious to play them again because its been so long. cyclopssam I have Blue Steels on most of my guitars so that could be a possibilty but like JimL I have been a Roto-Sound man for the majority of my bass playing life. But for some reason I just want to replace these with the same brand because I have just been so happy with this bass just as it is. I know its probably irrational as dignan intimates but I don't want to rob the bass of its mojo. Thing is I was looking at the Fender website and it looks like these strings are stock for this model and I think only this model from what I can see. So I might have to join their forum so I can solve the mystery behind these strings. Thanks for all your posts!
- Rated: 0 ↑
Jul 27, 2008 3:40 a.m. Mr Randall:

They could be Elites. They have the black cotton.
- Rated: 41 ↑
Jul 28, 2008 9:52 a.m. dubkitty:

the logical inference would be that you've got Fender bass strings on there. they make several sets, including rounds, flats, and the elusive nylon tape wound.

the folks at Guitar Showcase recommended the Rotosound Swing Bass strings to me, and they're great for the kind of old-school bass sound i prefer. most of the flats out there are so bright they sound like half-rounds.
- Rated: 29 ↑
Jul 28, 2008 1:46 p.m. MattYeoman:

Yes, let's discuss the Mike Dirnt P. I'm in a toss between that bass, an American Standard, or a Geddy Lee J.

My first fiance had the Mike Dirnt P. Great sounding bass, but she never let me play it. Hence why she WAS my fiance (I kid! She sucked at life was the problem). I can't seem to get my hands on one. I have played a Geddy Lee J, and good lord is it wonderful. I hate to say it, but I still prefer it to my Gretsch. The only thing holding me back is well, I can't stand Rush (yes, and i'm Canadian, can you believe it?), and I just want more experience with a Dirnt P.

So whats the word guys?
- Rated: 3 ↑
Aug 9, 2008 4:29 p.m. Rhys :

I wouldn't worry about whether you like Rush or not - the Geddy Lee jazz bass is simply the best bass Fender make at any price point. I'm not a fan of Fender basses (or Fender anything for that matter) but every Geddy model I've played has been superb. I've been a bass player for about 28 years & I'd be more than happy to use one as my main bass - I currently play a high end Jazz bass style instrument & I'm seriously considering selling it, buying a Geddy Jazz bass & pocketing a whole load of leftover cash.
- Rated: 6 ↑
Aug 9, 2008 5:58 p.m. Joe Hi-LoTron:

I use Smith Lights on my Rickenbacker, D'Addario Half-Rounds on the Höfner, and Boomers on the P-Bass.

Took a lotta years and sets of strings to get that all worked out. Used to use the Swing bass strings, but they are just not user friendly for these hands.

My 2¢

Joe
- Rated: 13 ↑
Aug 13, 2008 10:25 p.m. riz:

My new favorite P-bass strings are LaBella Deep Talkin' Bass flats. Be very wary of the heavy guage Jamerson set, however... heavy is an understatement. Never been a flatwound guy before, but those are the most amazing strings I've heard in a long time. I had to take them off. I feared for the neck and my hands! Just got the regular guage set but haven't put them on yet, so can't comment. Can't say that particular p-bass ever even sounded that good before with rounds, but those strings made it sound amazing.
- Rated: 41 ↑
Aug 20, 2008 12:42 p.m. dubkitty:

i didn't even mention that i own a Fender Mike Dirnt P-bass which i got for about $250 used...the owner appears to have beaten the crap out of it playing slap-punk bass a la Flea with round-wounds, which put a bow in the neck like you wouldn't believe. after some judicious pummeling--you should have seen me applying pressure to negative-relief the neck by holding the headstock under one thigh--and a sanding/polishing job on the frets, it's now very playable. i love the wide, hefty neck, which is perfect for the kind of Billy Talbot/Tim Drummond stuff i play when backing...i want to get one of the Epi EB-3s for the San Francisco Sound style, though.
- Rated: 12 ↑
Sep 2, 2008 7:20 p.m. Chonny:

Back when I actually owned a P bass I stuck flatwounds on it. I had a Music Man for other sounds.

Those flatwounds made that thing thump.

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