GHS Precision Flats Question, Ric or Jazz

[88ric2030]

I won JustStrings.com’s Wishlist Wednesday contest on Facebook this week. I scored a set of long scale .45-.105 GHS Precision Flats which I’m anxiously awaiting to arrive in the mail. I love these strings, currently I have a short scale set on my Squier Bronco that sounds awesome especially for recording.
My dilemma is I’m trying to decide which of my other basses I want to put these on. Here’s what I’ve got and what they are currently strung with. I’m open to your suggestions.

1980 Rickenbacker 4001 – Chromes
1988 Rickenbacker 2030 – DR Hiighbeams
1992 Fender Jazz – Fender 9050 (the new green package kind)

I had a couple ideas: 1) I want to go for a more McCartney-esque sound on the 4001, so I’m thinking I’ll put the Chromes on the other Ric (2030)and the GHS PFs on the 4001 2) I so love the sound of the GHS PFs on the Bronco, that I’m thinking it would be cool on the Jazz Bass as well; the new 9050s are almost as bright as rounds minus the finger noise. I’m thinking about putting those (9050s) on the 2030 Ric, since I want to eliminate roundwounds altogether on my basses.

Let me know what you think.

[tjh]

... or, it sounds to me like you have one heck-of-a-good-reason to justify another bass

[jaywa]

I thought Precision Flats were made (or at least marketed) by Fender ? ? ?

EDIT: Google tells me otherwise. They are in fact GHS, apparently. If those are the ones with the purple ends, I have a set on my P-Bass and I like 'em.

[88ric2030]

Originally Posted by tjh

... or, it sounds to me like you have one heck-of-a-good-reason to justify another bass

I actually have a couple more, a Danelectro Longhorn and a Jay Turser Beatle Bass. Would like a P Bass though.

[88ric2030]

Originally Posted by jaywa

I thought Precision Flats were made (or at least marketed) by Fender ? ? ?

EDIT: Google tells me otherwise. They are in fact GHS, apparently. If those are the ones with the purple ends, I have a set on my P-Bass and I like 'em.

Yeah they are the ones with the purple silks.

[dougjwray]

Originally Posted by tjh

... or, it sounds to me like you have one heck-of-a-good-reason to justify another bass

+1

Exactly! You need a new bass to go with those strings!

[Nedmundo]

Originally Posted by 88ric2030

Would like a P Bass though.

There's your answer. These are called "Precision Flats" for a reason: they are spectacular on a P-bass. We all know you need a P-bass anyway.

[88ric2030]

Originally Posted by Nedmundo

There's your answer. These are called "Precision Flats" for a reason: they are spectacular on a P-bass. We all know you need a P-bass anyway.

They are spectacular on the Bronco as well, and I imagine would be great on a P Bass or a Mustang since that's pretty similar, but I think they'd be great on a lot of other basses too. I don't ever use the bridge pu on my Jazz anyway, so it essentially always sounds like a P Bass anyhow, which is one reason I'm not inclined to get one. The idea of the Ric is more intriguing though, that way I'd have one Ric (4001) with traditional, thumpy flats, and another (2030) with brighter modern flats, which is how my Jazz/ Bronco configuration is right now. I think the 4001 with the Precision Flats might achieve a similar effect to McCartney's Ric tone. If I'm wrong, I can always put them on something else. It was a free set of strings to experiment with.

There's always the possibility that a Squier P Bass might fall in my lap for cheap though. I picked up a 20th Anniverasry Squier Strat on Craigslist last week for only $40.
If I did get a P Bass, you're right they should definitely go on that. But I'm not going to necessarily seek out another bass just to put a free set of strings on it.

[jasper383]

I think the GHS Precision Flats on a Ric would help get you really really close to the fat McCartney sound.

One Ric with the thumpy GHS flats, one with the brighter Chromes, and you'll cover all of the flats ground pretty well.

Personally, I can't tell Chromes from the new Fenders apart in sound or feel.

[88ric2030]

Originally Posted by jasper383

I think the GHS Precision Flats on a Ric would help get you really really close to the fat McCartney sound.

One Ric with the thumpy GHS flats, one with the brighter Chromes, and you'll cover all of the flats ground pretty well.

Personally, I can't tell Chromes from the new Fenders apart in sound or feel.

Thank you. I think this is settled. The 4001 it is.

I think both the Chromes and new Fenders are similar in sound, but the texture is a little different. IMO the Fenders are a slightly inferior knock off of the Chromes.

[Root 5]

GHS flats are such nice strings IMO that I'd be putting a set on all your basses. Just make sure they fit a top-load bridge because the E string is very long in the sets.

[C.Linton]

I have them on both my Squier VM J and P basses and they sound great on both.

[88ric2030]

Originally Posted by Root 5

GHS flats are such nice strings IMO that I'd be putting a set on all your basses. Just make sure they fit a top-load bridge because the E string is very long in the sets.

I put them on the 4001 last night and there were no problems, they sound great and achieved the sound I was looking forward. After I tuned up, I immediately commenced playing "Taxman" and "Come Together" and the tone was right there.

I move the Chromes from the 4001 to the 2030, and that sounds great as well. Big, monster tone. That bass required some set up work to get it right though.

[Root 5]

^^^^ Glad to hear you are happy with the GHS flats. They're my favourite flatwound string. And they're reasonably priced compared to some others without sacrificing quality.