GHS Precision flats or LaBella?

Grissle · #1 03-27-2013, 08:31 PM

Just had my 12yr old Fender flats G string break so I,m looking for something new with a tad less thump and a bit more fundamental. I liked the tension on the Fenders also if that helps.

gary m · #2 03-27-2013, 08:37 PM

GHS flats, absolutely. They're magic on a P or any P or J clone out there. The tension is firm without being oppressive and the tone is classic old school electric bass. Plus, they're reasonably priced!

Pet Sounds · #3 03-27-2013, 08:37 PM

I'm going to suggest GHS, though they're both great strings. I'd say they're closer to Fenders in feel and tension, maybe with a little less thump.

Grissle · #4 03-27-2013, 09:03 PM

.045 - .105 or .055 - .105s?

Ian_Flash · #5 03-27-2013, 09:05 PM

.045 -.105 will feel more balanced in tension from high to low.

Grissle · #6 03-27-2013, 10:30 PM

What's the reasoning behind the .055 - .105s I wonder?

chuck norriss · #7 03-27-2013, 10:42 PM

Labella dtb's are excellent. Very pretty sounding, very responsive to soft touch or thumping/plucking.

pghjeeper · #8 03-27-2013, 10:46 PM

Recent convert to ghs precision flats and I'm loving them! I have a classic vibe 50's p bass that I felt lacked some bottom end. These strings boosted the bottom end on my p bass like nothing I have ever used. I love them ill never switch them out for another string and I'm considering running them on my American p bass also.

Ian_Flash · #9 03-28-2013, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grissle

What's the reasoning behind the .055 - .105s I wonder?

To have a rounder "BASSIER" tone on the upper strings and a less "BOOMY" tone on the lower strings. Depends what you like on a particular bass, but it may also make string tension feel TIGHTER on the top an FLOPPIER on the bottom. May also need to raise the bass side of your P/Us to balance the top/bottom volume output.

seanm · #10 03-28-2013, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grissle

What's the reasoning behind the .055 - .105s I wonder?

.045 to .105 may have a more balanced tension. .055 to .105 sounds better IMHO.

I usually recommend LaBella, but they will have more thump (and more fundamental) than the Fenders. I have never tried the GHS, but if you want less thump you don't want LaBella.

Ian_Flash · #11 03-28-2013, 05:14 PM

.055 to .105 could definitely sound better, especially on certain basses. I'm with seanm on the LaBella thing... more thump and more fundamental AND better tension balance. I use them for just such an occasion.

tekdiver500ft · #12 03-28-2013, 05:55 PM

LaBellas are the flatwound tone. Jamerson, Dunn, Babbitt, etc... GHS have no tone, per se, IMO. They are just thud. Another option for a good combination of tone, playability, and some thump are Sadowsky Black Label flats in light gauge.

JTE · #13 03-28-2013, 07:13 PM

I like the GHS better. They have a precise note, with all the classic thump one could want. The two sets of LaBellas I tried (Deep Talking Bass and Old Originals) soundex like s kick drum or a dog turd hitting a hot sidewalk- all thimp, no note.

I play bass, not a drum. I need to define the harmony, not merely make a rhythmic noise.

John

gary m · #14 03-28-2013, 07:25 PM

GHS flats are THE sound of old school electric bass.

tekdiver500ft · #15 03-28-2013, 07:40 PM

Can't be, most everyone used Fender or LaBellas. GHS was virtually unknown until ca. 1975. LaBella has been a world leader in instrument strings for 350 years.

It's funny, the OP asked for strings with less thump, and folk are saying GHS are better because they have more thump! Wish people could read before answering.

SturmUndDrang · #16 03-28-2013, 08:07 PM

Chromes ECB 81 or Ernie Ball Group III

gary m · #17 03-29-2013, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tekdiver500ft

Can't be, most everyone used Fender or LaBellas. GHS was virtually unknown until ca. 1975. LaBella has been a world leader in instrument strings for 350 years.

It's funny, the OP asked for strings with less thump, and folk are saying GHS are better because they have more thump! Wish people could read before answering.

Point taken. It's all subjective when it comes to tone and feel, which is why there are many different string brands out there. The point is to experiment and find the string that suits your ears and your axe. If you ask my opinion, I'm going to say GHS flats recreate that classic Fender bass tone as my brain defines it. Not so for my short scale semi-hollow instruments, which all wear Pyramids. Full disclosure aside, I make recommendations based upon my own opinions and experiences. There's no absolute right or wrong answer, only suggestions.

petrus61 · #18 03-29-2013, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tekdiver500ft

Can't be, most everyone used Fender or LaBellas. GHS was virtually unknown until ca. 1975. LaBella has been a world leader in instrument strings for 350 years.

It's funny, the OP asked for strings with less thump, and folk are saying GHS are better because they have more thump! Wish people could read before answering.

While GHS may not have been around then, they cop a more "vintage" tone right out of the pack then LaBellas and age well. LaBellas need a lot of play to hit the sonic sweet spot, IME.

Grissle · #19 03-30-2013, 01:14 PM

Another question about tension. I liked the tension of the old 9050s and I've read that GHS are a medium tension string. Would the .055 - .105s be closer to the Fenders than the .045 - .105s?

Stone Soup · #20 03-30-2013, 01:19 PM

I've heard both GHS and LaBella sound wonderful. I like LaBella 760FL, because they feel the best to me and have the classic tone I was looking for.