GHS Flats

[Alex E]

I've had TI JF344s (great strings) on my Hofner Icon since purchasing the bass. However, I came across a problem with the E-string at the winding post and decided to change the set to see what is out there.... in the less expensive realm, too!

I've had the Chromes before, but I didn't like their higher tension and tone, so that set was not considered.

I bought some GHS Flats for about $19 through Juststrings.com. I decided on them based on few reviews I could get on this forum. What little info was positive.

My first impression was a slightly higher tension. I like the tension on the TI a little better, but the difference is almost negligible.

Tone-wise, I find the GHS very similar, maybe a little brighter, but that could very well be newness of the set. Visually, they are not as bright and shiny as the TIs, yet that really doesn't matter, does it?

Basically wanted to write this due to the relative lack of information I could find on these GHS flats on the 'net, not just this forum. I like these strings, especially for the money. I'm a big fan of the JF344s, too! So I almost feel a little guilty liking them as much. Just wanted people to know that in at least one person's humble opinion, there is a very similar sounding and feeling string to the mighty TI at roughly 1/3 the price.

I don't know if they will last as long as TIs, yet given the fact they are flats, I suspect they will.

[Nedmundo]

Are these the GHS Precision Flats? If so, I agree they're excellent strings, with delicious old-school tone. My P-bass now has GHS Briteflats, which I don't like nearly as much. I'll take the Precision Flats' phatness any day.

[RCCollins]

they are great flatwounds, probably the best "vintage" sounding flats in their price range now that fender changed their 9050s

and by that, I don't mean that they're cutrate. If I were stringing up a P-bass right now, GHS Precision flats would be my string of choice.

[Alex E]

yes, the set is the GHS Precision Flats. Glad there are a few in agreement. Surprisingly good quality sound for very little $$.

[C.Linton]

Yup. Me too for the Pre-flats. Been using Blue Steel rounds for a long time. When I was going to get my Squier VM Jazz two months ago, I wanted to go for a more vintage tone. I wanted to try the GHS flats, but the place I ordered the bass (Sweetwater) didn't have them, so I ended up getting Fenders, which were OK, not bad, not great.
Last month, I ordered GHS Precision flats from MF, and like the next day, I decided to pull the trigger on an SX P-bass. The strings arrived after the SX, and I decided I would try them on the SX first. Wow! They sounded great, gave the bass a fairly authentic vintage P-bass tone, IMO.
Later I ordered another set of GHS PF's for the Squier, and when I finlly got them on the thing, it made the Fender strings sound really weak by comparison, and they even felt smoother... It was a definite improvement. I think I am gonna stick with these strings for a good while.

[fretlessguy]

Two of my basses have GHS Precision Flats on them. They are my go-to flats when I want a vintage sound. I like the TIs on a couple of others I have, but for a more traditional sound these are the bee's knees. Best prices for them at www.bpstrings.com.

[soulfool]

Alex E,
I'm searching for new flats for my Hofner Ignition and I'm trying to decide between going with light gauge La Bella or the TI Jazz flats made for a Hofner. I've already tried Chromes and 100-50 La Bellas. I'm looking for tension similar to the roundwounds that came with my Ignition. I didn't even consider the GHS until reading your post. If they have similar tension to the TI's I think I'll give them a try since they only $20. I have a couple questions though:

1) Is this the exact same scale and gauge that you bought from JustStrings?

http://www.juststrings.com/ghs-3020.html

2) Did the silk wrap require trimming to get past your Icon's nut? I had to do that with my short scale Chromes and don't want to make that mistake again.

Thanks.

Here's my post:
New Flats for Hofner Ignition/Icon

[jasper383]

Yes, excellent flats. If you want true vintage 60s flat sound, they are ideal. Awesome with a pick. Excellent value.

The last couple orders of Carvin flats have been the GHS Precision Flats.

My only complaint is string to string balance; the E and A (fat and warm) are quite different from the D and G (brighter and tangier) right out of the box. They even out over time, but never perfectly match.

[Marton]

You need to get the light gauge set with the 95 E string, they're much more balanced !

[soulfool]

Marton,
That's the gauge shown in the link I pasted, 95 E. My main concern/question is the 30-31" scale and whether or not:

A. they will fit an Ignition/Icon?

and

B. if I have to trim the wrap?