New packaging for GHS Precision Flats?

Lefty52 · #1 11-21-2011, 07:57 PM

I bought a set of GHS Precision Flats recently. The packaging is different to the familiar black and white packaging as shown on the GHS website. Here's some pix:

I bought these from a reputable dealer, and I'm sure they're legit. But man, this packaging is amateurish. The front says: LONG SCALE PLUS ELECTRIC BASS STRINGS. Well, actually, no - they are a short scale set. Which you would not know at all by reading the large print on the back of the packet, which reads: LONG SCALE PLUS - 38" WINDING LENGTH. THIS SET FITS 34" AND 35" SCALE BASSES. Again, NO - this is a set of 30" - 32" short scale strings.

And then, to really add that special touch, they misspell "Fifth" in the table. Classy.

Is this the official GHS packaging or a backyard OEM job? Or was too much hooch consumed in the advertising department on the day they designed the packaging?

mmbongo · #2 11-21-2011, 08:06 PM

Looks to be the official packaging..or was anyway. GHS now comes in sealed packets just like Ernie Ball (who did it a few months before them!)

**Matthew_84** · #3 11-21-2011, 08:09 PM

LOL, my package is the same too... And I just realized the "FITFH-B" now

Lefty52 · #4 11-21-2011, 08:48 PM

My packet wasn't sealed.

SLaPiNFuNK · #5 11-21-2011, 09:06 PM

Hahaha! I'm going to mention that to them tomorrow about the misspelling. (although I'm sure they are aware of it and have printed thousands of these already)

Yes that is the new updated packaging.

I did notice they all say "Long Scale Plus" on the bottom (which helped me get a 3025 mixed up with a 3020 once (and thankfully the customer was cutting the strings to fit a headless so it didnt matter!)...

The overall artwork is generic they change the string gauges / description / part number in the upper right.

The only GHS strings that are hermetically sealed are the majority of their Bass Boomers (usually the higher selling ones but is most of them now) except like the 8 string and piccolo boomers and some oddball sets. I believe somewhere on their price list it says which pack they come in, but it doesnt say on their website.

Ernie Ball strings the Super Long scale and some of the 5 string Slinky sets do not come sealed yet. But the 6 strings do. At least from my last order that included pretty much every set. The flats are not in the hermetically sealed packaging either...

Lefty52 · #6 11-21-2011, 09:22 PM

Jason, thanks. I bought these strings online from you last week. Thanks for getting them out to me so quickly.

SLaPiNFuNK · #7 11-21-2011, 09:27 PM

Excellent!

I hope they are what you ordered! Short Scale 3020's!

Inside on the sleeves I believe they say 32.5" winding length on the paper sleeves.

FWIW - the 5 string sets come in the Red Generic Custom Shop sleeve with part numbers of the single strings on a sticker along with the overall part number for the set M3050-5.

The good news is, those strings were received by me from GHS at most a couple of weeks ago! So it is their new fresh product.

Enjoy

mmbongo · #8 11-21-2011, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

The only GHS strings that are hermetically sealed are the majority of their Bass Boomers (usually the higher selling ones but is most of them now) except like the 8 string and piccolo boomers and some oddball sets. I believe somewhere on their price list it says which pack they come in, but it doesnt say on their website.

I should have known that, since the Progressives you sent me last week did not come in the sealed package!

Lefty52 · #9 11-21-2011, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

I hope they are what you ordered! Short Scale 3020's!

Inside on the sleeves I believe they say 32.5" winding length on the paper sleeves.

Yeah, the strings are correct. I did a quick doubletake when I first opened the envelope though. I wouldn't mind betting that you and I weren't the only ones confused by the weird packaging.

C.Linton · #10 11-21-2011, 11:34 PM

It's not that new. The last time I got Precision Flats was a little over a year ago, and it had this same packaging.

One Drop · #11 11-22-2011, 02:41 AM

They need to improve their graphics. Great strings, look like crap on the shelf.

Not important, but we were on the subject...

Root 5 · #12 11-22-2011, 09:18 AM

I LOVE GHS flats. But I do wish they'd offer a standard scale length set that fits properly on a top-load 34" scale bass. And I wish they'd offer a short-scale set that fits a Mustang bass - the strings are too short.

But they're my favourite flatwounds!

fretlessguy · #13 11-24-2011, 05:12 PM

GHS Precision flats are my fav as well, so I am not as concerened about the packaging as much as the quality of the strings inside.

theretheyare · #14 11-24-2011, 05:16 PM

yeah i got the same packaging. still great strings, and cheap.

walterw · #15 11-24-2011, 06:03 PM

what the hell?

the pack says "long scale plus" on the bottom and "short scale" in the upper right corner!

that really is a labeling fail, isn't it?

JTE · #16 11-24-2011, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Root 5

I LOVE GHS flats. But I do wish they'd offer a standard scale length set that fits properly on a top-load 34" scale bass. And I wish they'd offer a short-scale set that fits a Mustang bass - the strings are too short.

But they're my favourite flatwounds!

They fit perfectly in my Fender VS Precision.

John

whitespike · #17 11-24-2011, 07:04 PM

As a graphic designer I find this to be hilarious. Just bought some flats. I actually passed these up bc the packaging makes it seems crappy. Good to hear they're good tho.

sqrat51 · #18 12-11-2011, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Root 5

I LOVE GHS flats. But I do wish they'd offer a standard scale length set that fits properly on a top-load 34" scale bass. And I wish they'd offer a short-scale set that fits a Mustang bass - the strings are too short.

But they're my favourite flatwounds!

I just put a set of 3050's on my Mustang Bass and only had to lop off 3 - 6 inches. The guitar expert at my local music shop said to stay away from short scale strings on the Mustang because of the through-the-body design. I'm glad I bought them there instead of online, because I was planning on the 3020's.

SLaPiNFuNK · #19 12-11-2011, 11:06 AM

You should know your instrument.

You don't purchase strings for the "scale length." You need to know the distance from the Ball End to the Nut to really determine the type of strings you need for the instrument, especially if it is a through body instrument or one that has a non-standard bridge configuration.

**Coolhandjjl** · #20 12-11-2011, 01:32 PM

I just got mine as well from BassStringsOnline.com. Very fast delivery! Same misspelling for fifth aslso! Maybe it makes them more valuable, like that upside down airplane stamp.