I'm currently using D'Addario Chrome flatwounds on my Fender P-bass for my GD band that plays acoustic (ala Reckoning) and electric sets as well as for my JGB band. I then adjust EQ and tone to get the Phil or John Khan sound I'm looking for. I really like the 70's Phil tone, both the '71 - '74 as well as '77 - '79 and that era works for me since I play a four string. My E string is coming unraveled a bit a the nut and so it's time to change them so I figured this may be a good time to try a different string. I know Rusty has recommended flats with a P for early Phil tone. But I am curious about halfrounds, especially since that is what Phil currently uses. The chromes also are nice and warm but the low end doesn't seem as deep as it could be (although maybe that is due to the tube amp I'm using?). So I'm wondering if anyone uses halfrounds, and if so, have you used them on a P-bass and also if anyone can give a comparison on chrome flatwounds vs. TI flats?
Chromes are very far from the kind of strings that Phil used back in the day. Before you go to half rounds, I'd suggest checking out either Thomastik Jazz Flats or Pyramid Gold flats first. Very different feel and tone. Phil used the Pyramids through the early 70s and they get that tone. Chromes do not. But they are idiosyncratic as hell. Thomastiks are in the same ballpark but less eccentric.
Both sound much better to me than halfrounds, but that's just me.