GHS Precision Flats String Balance Light vs Medium Gauge

PBnJBassist · #1 09-08-2011, 02:18 PM

I want to ask around before I pull the trigger on an new set of GHS Precision flats. Yes, I know they only cost $30 bucks, but I've been wondering about the tension balance from string-to-string on the Light Gauge set (.045-.060-.075-.095) compared to the Medium Gauge set (.045-.065-.085-.105). Currently, I'm running the Medium Gauge set, and the tension balance (to me) feels even string-to-string. I'm wondering about Light Gauge set and how players that run this set feel about the string balance.

The main concern I have is the Light Gauge still has a .045 for the "G" and I was wondering if the tension sticks out from the rest. Think of the Super Light set of Chromes where the "D" string has an extra bit of tension compared to the rest of the set. I hear that some players fumble up when playing fast runs or solos due to that extra bit of tension. This can be overlooked quite easily but I've been recently getting into playing more "Jaco-esque" stuff along with a good dose of Jazz & Fusion. So, while I can manage with my current set of medium GHS flats, I want to see if I can sneak away with buying a lower tension set of GHS before I consider a set of expensive TI's.

Thanks much in advance.

fretlessguy · #2 09-08-2011, 10:29 PM

I have used both sets and prefer the feel, tension, and sustain of the lighter set. Like the mediums they are well balanced. The D string has, at least to me, only slightly more tension, but not enough to make a difference even on the faster stuff. I use them on a couple of fretlesses I own. One set had spent time on three different basses for about a 4 1/2 year period and still sounded great. They went with the bass when I sold it to a friend of mine. He still uses that set and has had the bass about two years now.

bassobrutto · #3 09-09-2011, 12:15 AM

I am not up to playing anything Jaco, but the light GHS flats feel pretty well balanced to me too--very even across the range, playable without being too floppy, and still a good solid old school woody thump. I have feeble finger strength but can handle them easily.

PBnJBassist · #4 09-09-2011, 04:45 PM

Much and many thanks for the replies Guy & Brutto! I couldn't get over this compulsion to run a test myself so I ordered the light gauge set of GHS & a set of La Bella Deep Talkin' extra light (.039-.096) just to put an exclamation point on my curiosity. I was about to go with a set of TI flats but I went with the La Bella & GHS flats since they are supposed to share that "old school thump" as to the TI flats that have a sound of their own.

Granted, La Bella's are supposed to (from all the sound clips I have heard, videos I have watched, and posts I have read) are more "fat" and have more "presence" with a touch of emphasis on the low-mid ranges. This seems to be my thing so I'm just waiting for them to come in.