Finding The Best P Bass Tone: Flat Wound VS. Round Wound Strings On A Precision Bass

In this video, we take a look at the precision bass, or "P" bass, and two commonly used bass strings. First, we listen to a P bass with rounds, or round wound strings. Then, we listen to a P bass with flats, or flat wound strings. You'll hear there's quite a difference when it comes to finger noise on the bass and the P bass tonal spectrum. I hope this helps you find the best bass tone! Please note that it is a personal preference and that both can be extremely versatile.
PS: USE HEADPHONES OR SPEAKERS to hear this video.
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[@KyleS.1987]

Pretty wild to think that Pino Palladino on Voodoo and Steve Harris on anything Iron Maiden are both playing a P-bass with flats. Now that's versatility!

[@StratBurst92]

I like 60s, especially Motown so its La Bella flats on my P Bass.

[@kevinturvey8213]

thing is, there's a world of difference between a "bedroom" sound on its own, and a "stage" sound with a full band. a gorgeous bedroom sound can just totally disappear in a live context...so don't get married to your bedroom sound!

[@daveweigand5935]

Awesome and informative video. I am enjoying my P Bass with Flat wounds.

[@robblake9947]

Nice point about opening up the tone and/or using rounds to practice technique. I love the flats on my Sadowsky PJ especially with my Aguilar Tone Hammer DI pedal, which gives it some more presence to cut through a band mix.

[@anthonycook4297]

Hey Ryan… Nice demonstration and lesson . Preference, finger position, and the way one approaches/attacks the fretboard is certainly key elements. I have tried pretty much every type of string, and have mainly flats on my basses. My go-to string for recording and live play is Thomastik-Infeld (TI) For those that are watching your excellent instructional videos, that are still in the process of string discovery, TI strings are a very expensive string, but the versatility is quite nice. That being said, there are so many very good strings to experiment with . The journey is a fun one. And, I do like the DiAddario strings you mentioned . DiAddario strings and consistently good, and have great lasting power. Cheers and best wishes your way 😎🙌🏽

[@stevetryon6232]

Thank you,finally

[@TwangThang57]

I used to keep three basses, one each with tapes, rounds, and flats. I'm down to one P Bass with flats (actually a PJ with a Jazz neck and the bridge pickup removed) . Done!

[@clcortelyou]

My first bass was a '61 Gibson EB-0 with nylon-wrapped flats! Short scale bass with the humbucking soap bar pickup at the very bottom of the neck. Pure muddy bottom! But the neck on it was a beauty to play as I could set the action ridiculously low.

[@thelonglife5772]

I actually only use pyramids (full nickel) flat wounds on electric guitar . I’m amazed how rare that is . Once I get a bass (I’m on the hunt ). I’m going full flat . I can almost hear it now ! I really enjoy the videos . I’m so motivated to get a bass

[@kimhebert9905]

PBass w/flats for me….but it’s a player preference decision….Great Video subject….Thx Ryan 🎶👍

[@mariosangermano]

On my kiesel/Carvin P bass I use Ernie Ball Slinky Cobalt flats 50, 70, 85, 105 and absolutely love them. On my Kiesel/Carvin J bass 5 string I use Ernie Ball Super Slinky round wounds, and absolutely love them. My Kiesel/Carvin J 5 string fretless strung E,A,D,G,C It's the Ernie Ball super Slinky round wounds.

[@Paraver-Picture]

Flats have a classic tune, when we want to get an upright like tune it is a simple and cheap way, or want to do Adele bass lines. I have a P with flat that I use soo little, but at the end I love it

[@Paraver-Picture]

Flats have a classic tune, when we want to get an upright like tune it is a simple and cheap we, or want to do Adele bass lines. I have a P with flat that I use soo little, but at the end I love it

[@manydreams1life315]

Really like your videos and and the fact that you're making a living doing what you love. Inspiring. Why did you go with the Aguilar over an Ampeg SVT, for example. You seem to know what you're doing and I'm sure you've tried a bunch of amps throughout your career so far. Oh, I dig the wall color on the videos with the black accent furniture pieces. Very sleek and classic ...

[@RyanMadoraMusic]

I've been playing Aguilar for a number of reasons, but the big ones being: 1) tone and consistency... I'm really familiar with the sound of the Tone Hammer and can dial it in easily. It works across a lot of different styles and is very "set it and forget it" for me and 2) their lightweight gear is awesome and easy to maneuver. I gig around town a lot so having lightweight cabs that fit in the trunk of a sedan and can be carried up and down stairs is crucial.

[@manydreams1life315]

@@RyanMadoraMusic thank you... You are very kind to respond in such a way...

[@manydreams1life315]

@@RyanMadoraMusic Thanks for your input and experience. Are you using 1x12 cabs? I'm trying to build a simple bar/wedding dance rig and I don't really like the Fender Rumble "sound." Take Care and Thank You...

[@tonyrayjames3526]

Don't underestimate the greatness of tape wounds on a P-bass.

[@aeoteroa818]

i can confidently say im a flatwound man. just got a p bass after years of guitar. bass is so much fun.

[@christostefan]

Rounds all the way. If it's a bass with knobs, roll the tone all off and switch to fingers. Not the same, but passable for live situations.

[@jeffbriggs4268]

This is an interesting comparison! Thanks! I"ve got flat wounds on my Fender Mustang. It would be interesting to have another one with round wounds. Is there as much of a difference with a J bass?

[@RyanMadoraMusic]

You'll experience a lot of the same tonal differences with a J bass, but then have the added component of pick-up selection!

[@kevinbrianjohnsonmusic]

This is just my opinion but I like tapes on p bass and flats on jazz. I prefer rounds on a humbucker bass. My favorite configuration is a PJ which I would still use tapes but wouldn't mind using flats if i had too.

[@mischafreybass]

Same here (minus the humbucker because I don't own one)

[@rick.d]

Anybody else using half-rounds? I put them on recently and they're just easier to play (especially slides).

[@dalejirschele1299]

At 7:47 you played a cool riff, just curious if it's from a song or were you simply noodling?

[@RyanMadoraMusic]

Noodles!

[@fredericgayon-gios1056]

👍👍👍

[@davidt9841]

Round Wound Rule!!!

[@collinsmith5361]

what would you recommend for standard old-school country music?

[@RyanMadoraMusic]

Check out the greats... Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, George Strait, and so many more. Listen to some playlists of hit songs and get a taste for the genre. Hope that helps!

[@collinsmith5361]

@@RyanMadoraMusic Yes you are correct I meant What brand or type of flat wound strings to use as bass player in old school country music?

[@CNick75]

What flats are you using here? Thanks

[@RyanMadoraMusic]

La Bella flats!

[@TwangThang57]

Hey Ryan, it may be on my end, my monitor or my old eyes...., but I'm getting a lot of Moire' from your striped shirt and grill cloth on you cabs.

[@peterb1543]

Im afraid I can only use flatwound or tapewound strings on bass. I get paranoid about roundwounds with fret wear. I cant help it.

[@dayla8634]

Wait a couple a weeks for a setup?! Get it set up when you change the strings. If you go into a shop and ask to have your strings changed and have it set it up, are they going to wait a few weeks to give it back to you? Better yet, learn how to do your own setups.!

[@RyanMadoraMusic]

The suggestion is to wait a couple of weeks and then do a set up if you change your bass strings from flats to rounds (or vice versa). The string tension will be quite different so it would be good to let the bass settle in with the new tension before doing a set up.

[@dayla8634]

@@RyanMadoraMusic This is nonsense. What if you get heavier gauge rounds. Do you have to wait that long? I've never had to wait any period of time after setting up my bass with flats and I'm really particular with my setups.

[@fearnoevil65]

No idea why flatwounds are popular, they sound dead and lack punch for me. Didn't like them 20 ya=ears ago and still don't

[@riogrande163]

No idea why roundwounds are popular, other than they're cheaper for manufacturers to string up their product; IIRC rounds don't last as long, have obnoxious finger squeak, and chew through soft frets on older instruments.

[@fearnoevil65]

@@riogrande163 yet most people use round wounds, because they simply sound better. You go, gurl !

[@riogrande163]

sound better? hardly. they make even the most expensive basses sound like cheap garbage. no idea why bassists are obsessed with making their instrument sound like an ugly piano.@@fearnoevil65

[@fearnoevil65]

@@riogrande163 Ya, it's crazy every company sends new basses out rounds on and the majority of artists use round wounds. You want a grandpa sound with flats, you do you, and certainly don't ever change them, leave them on forever. Be sure to record with old dead flats also that's a great sound LOL

[@blib3786]

@@fearnoevil65 You're right, that is a great sound. Glad we're in agreement here LOL.