These sound very interesting.
- And this is coming from a hardcore supporter of hex core strings.
- And this is coming from a hardcore supporter of hex core strings.
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Agreed! I've played some round core strings from another manufacturer, and round core seemed to indicate increased flexibility, even floppy. That is not the case here. Based on feel of stiffness/flexibility, I wouldn't have guessed they were anything but hex core.
The only round-core strings I've tried in the past are the DR Sunbeams (45-105). As much as my left hand loved their suppleness and fretting comfort, my right hand couldn't get used to the lack of resistance under the plucking fingers.
Based on all the positive reviews, I'm looking forward to trying the Round Core Boomers, which should be arriving in a few days.
- Sep 9, 2007
- 5,309
- 4,977
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Eventide, GHS Strings, G&L Guitars, NS Design, Tsunami Cables
That's not quite correct. The balanced tension was an afterthought, and a byproduct of balanced CONSTRUCTION (two wraps on the GDAE), which made balanced TONE up the entire fretboard a possibility. The fact that they're really well balanced ON PAPER was not the end goal, just an added bonus.
That was my biggest goal with the set, because I rarely play open strings and usually have my left hand anchored around the 5th fret (or the 7th if I'm playing a 5er). So having an E string that sounded somewhat clear (keeping in mind that 10th fret on a .106 gauge will NEVER sound exactly like the 5th on a .080 or an open .060) in relation to everything was the most important. If the tension numbers on paper turned out to be screwy, but they sounded and felt even, that would've been fine.
Tonal balance ahead of all else - sounds like a lot of research has gone into this. My two thumbs up for GHS!
Come to think of it, it's quite remarkable the way you've been able to achieve near-perfect tension balance on paper at the same time as a bonus to keep people like me happy.
Pure nickel is very tough however. And it's a little kinder to your frets.
In some literature, manufacturers claim their PN strings are smooth or smoother feeling. I really don't have that impression. They feel the same as any other round wound IMO( of course most are NPS so may share some characteristics ). They're probably my favourite type of round wound.
It is metal after all. I have some nickels that are 100 years old. A scientist once told me that all nickel is as old as the Earth itself!
Most frets are nickel.
My favorite nickel fact is that the first tape recorders were actually called wire recorders. They used a thin narrow ribbon of nickel to record the magnetic signal, because magnetic tape had not yet been invented. Once the electric guitar was invented, this same flat nickel ribbon wire was used to wrap strings. It's a wonderment of nickel history!
For what it's worth, they feel smoother to me than the Fender 7250 strings.
I have never tried those, no.
By day two, the GHS BNs sounded a little warmer than day one; ergo, they seem to be settling toward a tone a little warmer, a little less bright, than the Fender 7250s.
How would you characterize the mids of the PNs compared to Boomers or RC Boomers?
I was going to post the same question!
Reading reviews that are saying GHS' RC strings while being RC, still have ample tension has changed my mind about trying them. And I'll always lean towards a set of strings that have a strong midrange quality.
My Lull 5-string and hex core Boomers are a winning combination, as are the Pressurewounds on my Ristola 6-string.
I'm going to try either RC Boomers or Balanced Nickels on my Roscoe 6-string, - once throthwell replies, that is.
- Sep 9, 2007
- 5,309
- 4,977
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Eventide, GHS Strings, G&L Guitars, NS Design, Tsunami Cables
If you're talking about the BIG CORE BASS sets (which were not Boomers), they've been discontinued. And really, I'm not THAT surprised.
I revamped those around the same time as the first Bass String Tension Guide (which can be found here) came out. At that point, keeping one dedicated set for drop tuning seemed redundant when the entire line of GHS strings became a possibility with the guide. At the end, the numbers didn't justify keeping them around so they were axed.
I share the same sentiment regarding the round core - something I've shied away from based on my experience from three years ago.
Up until now the only round core strings I've tried were the DR Sunbeams 45-105. My left hand LOVED them - very comfortable for fretting. As for my right hand, kind of meh; they just didn't provide enough heft and resistance for my plucking fingers. What I did like about the SBs, though, is how they added extra fullness to my J bass tone while taming the highs with bright but smooth and pleasing top end.
After reading a few reviews, both on the RCB and the BN, I'm encouraged by the fact the GHS round cores are not as flexible as DRs. Hex core vs. round core - I'm not necessarily looking for more flexibility and comfort, but rather for that "something extra" in tonal qualities.
