I finally broke a string on my one year old Sire P10, so time for a new set. I really hated the bass when I first got it, just a muddy mess, strings were so bright! But with some EQ adjustments I started to like it. After a lot of research I decided to try D'Addario Chrome flat wounds for the string change. I am so glad I did! I love the tone and playability of the P10 now. I play in two groups, one mainly rock, the other rock and pop. I've got a big thumbs up from both groups with the sound of the flats!
Thanks, I've been really happy with them. They've been on for just over two years now and still sound great. Turns out they weren't the right choice for my Gibson DC Jr bass, but this one I'm still happy with.
I just bought a Sire U5 after Sweetwater finally got them in stock again this week, alas they are almost gone already. I got the last natural one, but the tobacco sunburst is beautiful too, not so crazy about the mint with mint headstock - but other's love it. I already ordered some LaBella dark talking flats in light gauge, as recommended here and elsewhere. I was going to get the TI, but at almost $100USD per set I was afraid it might be the wrong size (!?). At least I know the LaBella's mustang version will fit through body, although I don't mind top-loading, might even help the feel by shortening the string length beyond the nut? Besides the strings, I also ordered a set of Gotoh 528 tuners, which are lighter weight and better quality. The pickups are higher output and hum-cancelling, but some like lower output Jazz single coils that aren't hum-cancelling, feeling it hurts the tone. I'm new to playing bass, so I'll leave it as is except changing the tuners and strings, for now anyways, eventually might consider upgrading the pickups. On guitar pickups I prefer lower-powered pickups for their clarity, being more into clean tones.
The super light Gotohs will help with any neck dive, which is what I found with the natural finished one that I tried. I liked the pickups a lot more after I lowered their height quite a bit, I found them very versatile. P pickups are naturally hum-cancelling based on how they're wired, so it's always the challenge of what to put with them in a PJ configuration, but I found this set to be nicely balanced. I tend to also play lowered output pickups on guitar, favouring clean tones, and I find the U5 can sit in a very clean space very easily.
Got the identical model,but was also disappointed with the strings. I put the La Bella 760FL-S set on it which has the same gauge strings as the 760F-MUS as far as I can see. Much better and more the sound I was after too!
That was helpful - thanks. So far I'm happy with my U5. However I did put Hofner flats on my 500/1 and whilst the A,D and G strings sound great, the bottom E is very dead and the intonation needed a huge amount of adjustment. Thank you for the video. ( I echo the sentiment about the background guitar though)
Sometimes there is one string in a pack that's a little off, which can be really frustrating. I've definitely found that a couple of times with D'addario strings, even though I typically really like them. As for the background music, unfortunately YT won't let people replace videos with edited versions outside of using their studio tools to cut out a section of the video. I have been keeping a better ear on balance between talking and music as I make more videos. Thanks for your input!
@@petelamontmusic I wonder which set would fit...? I'd hate to buy the wrong size at $100- per! Several other types mentioned by others, but bass strings are expensive (says the man with a market bag full of guitar strings, $100+'s...).
@@pharmerdavid1432 As a general rule, I would say that if you're going to top load them, go with a short scale set, if you want to do strings through the body, go with a medium scale.
Good sound! The strings are La Bella flatwound 760F-MUS short scale 043-060-82-104? I recently bought the sire U5 bass and I would be interested to know what set and model of La Bella Flatwound strings you have put on it. It is that, for example, on the Thomann instrument page from Germany, in some sets of La Bella flatwound strings it says: "Not suitable for basses with bridges with strings passing through the body (Thru-Body)". I have said (La Bella flatwound 760F-MUS short scale 043-060-82-104) says the opposite, that is, it says ""Special for basses with a measure of 30" (762 mm) WITH PASSAGE OF STRINGS THROUGH THE BODY ( THRU-BODY)". All the best.
Thanks! Yes, 760F-MUS, the La Bella site says not to be used with top loading bridges, specifically designed for thru-body, and yes, 043-060-082-104. I really enjoy them on the U5 and my Mustang. Best of luck and thanks for watching!
Please turn off the guitar track in the background. Waiting on the same bass so I am interested in hearing what you have to say : ) Did the same for my G&L Fallout.......big difference.
For me the string change was a huge difference. However, the setup made a big difference too. All of the Sire basses that I played were setup for the Marcus sound, which is not what I was going for. With lowered pickups, a slightly higher action and the flat wound strings I got a nicer vintage P bass sound and feel. It really comes down to what sound you're going for.
Much better with the flats. Sounds great.
Thanks, very happy with the sound. Thanks for watching!
This comparison was very helpful.
Glad you found it useful and thanks for watching!
Thank you for this video. Getting flats for my u5 soon 🙏🏽
Thanks for watching and hope you enjoy the strings!
I finally broke a string on my one year old Sire P10, so time for a new set. I really hated the bass when I first got it, just a muddy mess, strings were so bright! But with some EQ adjustments I started to like it. After a lot of research I decided to try D'Addario Chrome flat wounds for the string change. I am so glad I did! I love the tone and playability of the P10 now. I play in two groups, one mainly rock, the other rock and pop. I've got a big thumbs up from both groups with the sound of the flats!
Flats on a P are such a classic sound, hard to go wrong! They just sit so well in the mix.
I did the same thing with D'Addario chromes myself and wow everytime I play it, the tone is incredible and versatile.
Awesome! Glad to hear it!
I put some flat Rotosounds on the U5. I like your LaBella sound better!
Thanks, I've been really happy with them. They've been on for just over two years now and still sound great. Turns out they weren't the right choice for my Gibson DC Jr bass, but this one I'm still happy with.
I just bought a Sire U5 after Sweetwater finally got them in stock again this week, alas they are almost gone already. I got the last natural one, but the tobacco sunburst is beautiful too, not so crazy about the mint with mint headstock - but other's love it. I already ordered some LaBella dark talking flats in light gauge, as recommended here and elsewhere. I was going to get the TI, but at almost $100USD per set I was afraid it might be the wrong size (!?). At least I know the LaBella's mustang version will fit through body, although I don't mind top-loading, might even help the feel by shortening the string length beyond the nut? Besides the strings, I also ordered a set of Gotoh 528 tuners, which are lighter weight and better quality. The pickups are higher output and hum-cancelling, but some like lower output Jazz single coils that aren't hum-cancelling, feeling it hurts the tone. I'm new to playing bass, so I'll leave it as is except changing the tuners and strings, for now anyways, eventually might consider upgrading the pickups. On guitar pickups I prefer lower-powered pickups for their clarity, being more into clean tones.
The super light Gotohs will help with any neck dive, which is what I found with the natural finished one that I tried. I liked the pickups a lot more after I lowered their height quite a bit, I found them very versatile. P pickups are naturally hum-cancelling based on how they're wired, so it's always the challenge of what to put with them in a PJ configuration, but I found this set to be nicely balanced. I tend to also play lowered output pickups on guitar, favouring clean tones, and I find the U5 can sit in a very clean space very easily.
I’ve put the rotosound black nylon strings on my U5. And it’s so Kool now , a big difference
Nice choice! Which finish of U5 do you have?
@@petelamontmusic same as yours , but a big improvement with the nylon strings , makes it sound like a double bass , I’m from Glasgow , Scotland
@@bobbyaiello9446 Nice! I do like the sound of the nylons. Cheers from Waterloo, Canada, hope you and your family have had a wonderful Christmas.
Got the identical model,but was also disappointed with the strings. I put the La Bella 760FL-S set on it which has the same gauge strings as the 760F-MUS as far as I can see. Much better and more the sound I was after too!
It really is a world of difference! Glad to hear that you've found the sound you were looking for.
That was helpful - thanks. So far I'm happy with my U5. However I did put Hofner flats on my 500/1 and whilst the A,D and G strings sound great, the bottom E is very dead and the intonation needed a huge amount of adjustment. Thank you for the video. ( I echo the sentiment about the background guitar though)
Sometimes there is one string in a pack that's a little off, which can be really frustrating. I've definitely found that a couple of times with D'addario strings, even though I typically really like them. As for the background music, unfortunately YT won't let people replace videos with edited versions outside of using their studio tools to cut out a section of the video. I have been keeping a better ear on balance between talking and music as I make more videos. Thanks for your input!
Your new strings osund great! I'm fond of Dr Thomastik, they have the most peculiar sound. They have a low tension and don't last long, but THEY SING.
I haven't tried the Thomastik yet, everyone who plays them seems to like them.
@@petelamontmusic I wonder which set would fit...? I'd hate to buy the wrong size at $100- per! Several other types mentioned by others, but bass strings are expensive (says the man with a market bag full of guitar strings, $100+'s...).
@@pharmerdavid1432 As a general rule, I would say that if you're going to top load them, go with a short scale set, if you want to do strings through the body, go with a medium scale.
I'm after a Sire V3 or V5. I have Roto Jazz Flats on my fretless and love them. I hear a big sound difference on the Sire, making my GAS even worse!
Sire's are just great instruments for the money. I've been really impressed with any of them that I've played.
Good sound! The strings are La Bella flatwound 760F-MUS short scale 043-060-82-104?
I recently bought the sire U5 bass and I would be interested to know what set and model of La Bella Flatwound strings you have put on it. It is that, for example, on the Thomann instrument page from Germany, in some sets of La Bella flatwound strings it says: "Not suitable for basses with bridges with strings passing through the body (Thru-Body)". I have said (La Bella flatwound 760F-MUS short scale 043-060-82-104) says the opposite, that is, it says ""Special for basses with a measure of 30" (762 mm) WITH PASSAGE OF STRINGS THROUGH THE BODY ( THRU-BODY)".
All the best.
Thanks! Yes, 760F-MUS, the La Bella site says not to be used with top loading bridges, specifically designed for thru-body, and yes, 043-060-082-104. I really enjoy them on the U5 and my Mustang. Best of luck and thanks for watching!
Please turn off the guitar track in the background. Waiting on the same bass so I am interested in hearing what you have to say : ) Did the same for my G&L Fallout.......big difference.
For me the string change was a huge difference. However, the setup made a big difference too. All of the Sire basses that I played were setup for the Marcus sound, which is not what I was going for. With lowered pickups, a slightly higher action and the flat wound strings I got a nicer vintage P bass sound and feel. It really comes down to what sound you're going for.
I purchased some short scale Labella flats for my U-2 they were too short! arrr!
Oh no! That sucks.