GHS Balanced Nickel strings

[trothwell]

I like hearing (and judging) different bass sounds from the position of, how does it sound in a mix? Here's a little recording with the GHS Balanced Nickels (44-106) on a Fender Precision Bass:



And a comparable recording (I make these test demos quick, sorry for the lack of perfection) with a set of GHS Pressurewound (light set, I think) on the same bass:



And for further comparison, with a set of DR Lo Rider Nickels (45-105):



And a set of DR Lo Rider Steel (45-105):



Rotosound 88 tapewound:



And, for what it's worth, as it's not the same bass, GHS Progressives on a Fender Jazz Bass, front pickup only:

 

[Linnin]

Thanks for the sound clips @trothwell. The Balanced Nickels do sound a lot like roundcore Boomers, but I'll give Boomers the edge on low mid growl. Looking forward to your full review.

Those Roto tapes sure sound like the east end of a west bound camel. That just confirms my loathing of all tapewounds. I would thank you for saving me $xx, but I was never going to buy a set of any company's tapes.

 

[trothwell]

Those Roto tapes sure sound like the east end of a west bound camel. That just confirms my loathing of all tapewounds. I would thank you for saving me $xx, but I was never going to buy a set of any company's tapes.

I think they can sound good in the right context. Here's another clip of the same strings on a fretless bass:



While I did not keep the strings on that (or any) bass, I think that's a reasonably pleasant sound, if that's the sound you're after.

But back to GHS Balanced Nickels!...

 

[michael_t]

I like hearing (and judging) different bass sounds from the position of, how does it sound in a mix?

Here's a little recording with the GHS Balanced Nickels (44-106) on a Fender Precision Bass:



And a comparable recording (I make these test demos quick, sorry for the lack of perfection) with a set of GHS Pressurewound (light set, I think) on the same bass:

Thanks for doing the string demo the right way by letting us hear them in a mix. Nice playing, by the way.

Considering the BNs will be for my P bass, I like what I'm hearing so far. Pure nickel warmth with focus and articulation even with those lowest notes!

 

[trothwell]

Considering the BNs will be for my P bass, I like what I'm hearing so far. Pure nickel warmth with focus and articulation even with those lowest notes!

Agreed. I thought the GHS Pressurewounds and Balanced Nickels had a lot of similarity, but were still appreciably different. In particular, the Pressurewounds come across to me tighter, punchier... but the BN lower notes sound fuller. I think on the Precision bass, I favor the BN sound.

Still a tough call between Balanced Nickels and Precision Flats, though! Going to eventually have to follow @Linnin's example and acquire another Precision bass...

 

[Linnin]

Still a tough call between Balanced Nickels and Precision Flats, though! Going to eventually have to follow @Linnin's example and acquire another Precision bass...

It is the right thing to do!

 

[michael_t]

I thought the GHS Pressurewounds and Balanced Nickels had a lot of similarity, but were still appreciably different. In particular, the Pressurewounds come across to me tighter, punchier... but the BN lower notes sound fuller.

P + Pure Nickel + Round Core =

Still a tough call between Balanced Nickels and Precision Flats, though! Going to eventually have to follow @Linnin's example and acquire another Precision bass...

My predicament is choosing between the PWs and the Round Core Boomers for my J. I just had a chance to play the RCBs for the first time in a live band situation this morning, and boy oh boy, my J sounded and felt SOOOO... (what's the word)... SCRUMPTIOUS! Very flavorful with just the right amounts of tonal herbs and spices.

I guess I'll just have to get myself another Jazz bass.

 

[TomB]

So this is how GAS is born, eh? "Honey, it's the strings' fault!"

...I agree that the BN's sounded pretty cool in the clips above...

 

[Linnin]

I just had a chance to play the RCBs for the first time in a live band situation this morning, and boy oh boy, my J sounded and felt SOOOO... (what's the word)... SCRUMPTIOUS! Very flavorful with just the right amounts of tonal herbs and spices.

I know, right? Roundcore Boomers are absolutely delicious. An earful of delight. Perfect on a Fender Jazz.

 

[fermata]

Agreed. I thought the GHS Pressurewounds and Balanced Nickels had a lot of similarity, but were still appreciably different. In particular, the Pressurewounds come across to me tighter, punchier... but the BN lower notes sound fuller. I think on the Precision bass, I favor the BN sound.

Still a tough call between Balanced Nickels and Precision Flats, though! Going to eventually have to follow @Linnin's example and acquire another Precision bass...

Thanks for the great demos! The Balanced Nickels sound fabulous on your P-bass. And since I'm waffling between these and Precision Flats for my P(J) bass, I'd be interested in hearing what you like about the flats vs the nickels.

 

[trothwell]

Thanks for the great demos! The Balanced Nickels sound fabulous on your P-bass. And since I'm waffling between these and Precision Flats for my P(J) bass, I'd be interested in hearing what you like about the flats vs the nickels.

I like them both! The GHS Precision Flats just nail that classic vintage 1960s kind of sound. That's a great sound. But I also often think that a brighter, more modern tone works better with the music at hand.

As I've mused here before, I used to just buy whatever strings the guy behind the counter at the local music store suggested. "Can I help you?" "A set of bass strings, please." "Here you go." I never would have thought then that different string sets would prompt the desire for another otherwise identical bass...

 

[Linnin]

I never would have thought then that different string sets would prompt the desire for another otherwise identical bass...

It's a capitalist plot!

 

[Jon Moody]

Sorry for the delay, but here's the "official" video for the Balanced Nickels.

 

[trothwell]

Sorry for the delay, but here's the "official" video for the Balanced Nickels.

Sounds great!

 

[Linnin]

Thanks for the video, Jon! I am most definitely going to buy a set, but it is going to be a good while before I can comment or review.

 

[michael_t]

Sorry for the delay, but here's the "official" video for the Balanced Nickels.

Boy, are you ever looking dapper with that purple shirt and bow tie!

Thanks for doing this. I like what I hear.

By the way, that green silk does look very close to the green on the Fender 9050 flats.

 

[micguy]

Jon,

Does this mean you're shipping? I got a couple basses pining for these strings, and the din is getting pretty loud. Or maybe that's their voices in my head.

 

[Jon Moody]

Jon,

Does this mean you're shipping? I got a couple basses pining for these strings, and the din is getting pretty loud. Or maybe that's their voices in my head.

We've been shipping some of the sets since the beginning of September (the 4M and 5M sets). There weren't many (or any?) orders of the other ones yet, so those were put on the schedule for later this month.

 

[michael_t]

There weren't many (or any?) orders of the other ones yet, so those were put on the schedule for later this month.

I'm eagerly waiting for my dealer to start carrying the 4L set so I can order one as soon as they're officially out and available.

 

[Jon Moody]

I'm eagerly waiting for my dealer to start carrying the 4L set so I can order one as soon as they're officially out and available.

It doesn't really work that way. I can't tell a dealer to carry something; only a customer asking for them can.