GHS Flats - incredible tension

Cohacq · #1 05-10-2011, 07:06 AM

I put a pair of GHS flats on my bass (a copy of a Fender P) yesterday, and the tension is huuge. 3 of the 4 strings are able to be tuned correctly, but the G string refuses to go above F as the tuner is almost completely stuck by the tension. Is this normal with flats or is something wrong? I used D'addario Prosteels before on this bass without any problems, but those were rounds...

EDIT: the flats are 55-105, the rounds were 45-105, if that helps.

jaywa · #2 05-10-2011, 07:14 AM

That's weird. I run GHS Precision Flats on my P-Bass, in standard tuning, and find them to actually be a bit on the flabby side, tension wise. I've heard there have been some quality control issues with GHS strings lately... you may have gotten a bad set.

Cohacq · #3 05-10-2011, 07:17 AM

I'll try to tune the G-string again in an hour or so, and if that doesnt work i'll go back to the store. There is also slight gaps in the winding on the A and E strings, is this normal?

jmceachern36 · #4 05-10-2011, 07:20 AM

Not sure why you can't get the G in tune but the G and D are pretty big. I've used the same strings and found them to be very high tension. GHS also makes a 45-105 size as well. I found those to be much more playable.

Cohacq · #5 05-10-2011, 07:27 AM

I got the G in tune now, but now i need to adjust the neck. I was gonna buy the 45-105 set, but they were all out. All they had in 45-105 were a set of d'addarios that cost the double as the GHS, which I can't afford right now.

Dondoh · #6 05-10-2011, 08:40 AM

I just put on the 45 set and the 45 is mighty tight, I imagine the higher gauge would be VERY taut.

Bob C · #7 05-10-2011, 08:58 AM

Well, .055 is a pretty fat G. And it's a huge jump up from your usual .045. That's what you used to use, right? Also, what brand P copy are you playing? If it's a cheapie (no offense intended), it may have a weak neck and/or stiff tuners.

I think having to do a truss rod tweak is normal, but barely being able to tune up isn't. You didn't put on the strings in the wrong order, did you? I'm not kidding. Once I got out my new set (one with "minimal packaging")and put the D on instead of the G by mistake.

oldrockerdude · #8 05-10-2011, 09:00 AM

I Have Always Used The Only GHS 45-105 /130's. Tryed a Bunch of Others and i always Wast My Money. I Would Like To Try The GHS flats

ixlramp · #9 05-10-2011, 11:58 AM

ProSteels .045 G is 42 pounds tension, and a flatwound .055 G is roughly 65 pounds. That's extremely heavy and totally unecessary IMO although some people like it.

To find the tensions I used the http://www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf, using the Chromes flatwound tensions to approximate the GHS flats.