GHS Balanced Nickel strings

[IvanBassist]

Tone wise I think they will be a great match for a J bass. You will probably lose some of the balanced tension since they were developed on single scale. But I think you will keep the most important aspect of these strings which is balanced tonality all across the fretboard.
If you like standard tension go for the light set. If you like higher tension pick the medium set.

Which other string set would you describe as "standard tension"?

 

[Jon Moody]

Tone wise I think they will be a great match for a J bass. You will probably lose some of the balanced tension since they were developed on single scale. But I think you will keep the most important aspect of these strings which is balanced tonality all across the fretboard.

I think you're gonna lose a LOT of what the Balanced Tension set is about by putting it on a Dingwall, specifically because of the multi-scale, as that will totally affect the tonal balance of the strings as well. It's worth a shot, but I promise nothing.

 

[sonojono]

Tried these on my Fretless Fender Mustang Bass and was pretty underwhelming. Hope they were just dead strings

 

[michael_t]

Tried these on my Fretless Fender Mustang Bass and was pretty underwhelming. Hope they were just dead strings

"Underwhelming" as in not enough zing for you?

 

[Jon Moody]

Tried these on my Fretless Fender Mustang Bass and was pretty underwhelming. Hope they were just dead strings

I'm very curious to find out what you didn't like about these. They're a really dark sounding string, so what was it that you were looking for in these strings that they didn't deliver on?

 

[NKBassman]

Yesterday I swapped the BNs off my P bass for a set of regular ol' Boomers, and initial thoughts are that I'm liking the Boomers better. I find the tone of the Boomers is a bit less mid-forward and seems to sit in the mix better for me. Could be the combination of the Dimarzio Model P and the BNs is just too much, or could be that I just didn't play the BNs enough for them to fully settle in. But either way, given how much I like Boomers and Pressurewounds, I'm not planning on switching back any time soon. Plus, I can find Boomers at almost any old music store, VS having to special order BNs online.

I do still want to try Round-Core Boomers, too.

 

[trothwell]

Yesterday I swapped the BNs off my P bass for a set of regular ol' Boomers, and initial thoughts are that I'm liking the Boomers better. I find the tone of the Boomers is a bit less mid-forward and seems to sit in the mix better for me. Could be the combination of the Dimarzio Model P and the BNs is just too much, or could be that I just didn't play the BNs enough for them to fully settle in.

I liked the BNs out the package, but thought they sounded best after maybe ten hours of playing. Either way, Boomers are sure good too, and Pressurewounds. I think the BNs are objectively good strings, and subjectively one of my favorites, but I sure understand if not everyone favors them!

I've had my set on since September, and I think they are entering their downward slope. Not bad, not dead, but may be heading toward needing to be replaced.

 

[NKBassman]

I liked the BNs out the package, but thought they sounded best after maybe ten hours of playing. Either way, Boomers are sure good too, and Pressurewounds. I think the BNs are objectively good strings, and subjectively one of my favorites, but I sure understand if not everyone favors them!

I've had my set on since September, and I think they are entering their downward slope. Not bad, not dead, but may be heading toward needing to be replaced.

I agree! The BNs are very nice strings, just not doing it for me on that bass at this moment.

I still have a set on my Jazz bass (which I really should play more often), maybe I'll take that one out to my next jam and see how it sounds. I've been itching to try Pressurewounds on that bass though, too... Too many permutations! Need to start making a chart to keep up with everything I've tried haha

 

[sonojono]

I'm very curious to find out what you didn't like about these. They're a really dark sounding string, so what was it that you were looking for in these strings that they didn't deliver on?

Well with the name implying “Balanced” I would figure that each string will ring out sonically without one string being too overpowered (even sound). For example, my E string. Out of all the strings the E had to be the most loudest out of all the strings. I took the bass to my local luthier to see if maybe my Bass is the problem but my luthier fixed it and tried his best to eliminate the problem. So he just told me to string back the labella flats I had on them and stick to em. Yikes!

P.S I even watched the YouTube videos of you explaining the strings definition.

 

[sonojono]

Need to start making a chart to keep up with everything I've tried haha

What I usually do is I save my packages and date them as well as write down what bass they are in so that way I keep track of what I played and when.

 

[Jon Moody]

Well with the name implying “Balanced” I would figure that each string will ring out sonically without one string being too overpowered (even sound). For example, my E string. Out of all the strings the E had to be the most loudest out of all the strings. I took the bass to my local luthier to see if maybe my Bass is the problem but my luthier fixed it and tried his best to eliminate the problem. So he just told me to string back the labella flats I had on them and stick to em. Yikes!

P.S I even watched the YouTube videos of you explaining the strings definition.

That is the first time I've heard of the E string overpowering the rest of them. Based on your initial post about this, are you stating that the other three were "dead" and this one wasn't?

Just trying to get to the bottom of this.

 

[sonojono]

From playing these balanced sets, the rest of the strings sound weaker while the E was just too loud. Idk, maybe they’re just not meant for a Fretless bass or my bass just need a setup all together.

I did however order a set of long scales for my Ibanez SR650 which I feel like would be a better test to truly hear how these strings work. I’m crossing my fingers.

 

[NKBassman]

I didn't notice any issues with string-to-string variation, and I'm very anal about that. However... on a P Bass you have the ability to fine tune the balance by adjusting the pickup, so really you should be able to dial in a balanced sound with just about any strings. And on my Jazz bass I have Nordstrand Jazz Blade pickups which are radiused and sound very even string to string. So I'm already starting from a good position in that respect.

 

[Jon Moody]

From playing these balanced sets, the rest of the strings sound weaker while the E was just too loud. Idk, maybe they’re just not meant for a Fretless bass or my bass just need a setup all together.

That's why I'm trying to figure this out, as I've prototyped these on a number of basses, including a Hofner Beatle bass and Supro Fretless. I haven't come across this issue, but I'll definitely look into it.

 

[Joedog]

I'd love to try a set. By the reviews, tonally they seem to be right up my alley. However, after years of playing flats, ground and/or pressure wounds, I just don't like the feel of rounds anymore. Maybe I can find someone local that has a set on their bass so I can give them a test drive.

 

[trothwell]

I'd love to try a set. By the reviews, tonally they seem to be right up my alley. However, after years of playing flats, ground and/or pressure wounds, I just don't like the feel of rounds anymore. Maybe I can find someone local that has a set on their bass so I can give them a test drive.

If you're okay with pressurewounds, I suspect you'll be okay with BNs. They're pretty smooth, as far as roundwounds go.

 

[michael_t]

By the reviews, tonally they seem to be right up my alley. However, after years of playing flats, ground and/or pressure wounds, I just don't like the feel of rounds anymore.

This is exactly my sentiment as well. As much as I LOVE the way the BNs sound on my P bass, I've been too spoiled by the smooth feel of the Pressurewounds to enjoy their roundwound feel, although I might add they are one of the smoothest of all rounds I've tried.

 

[Linnin]

I just wrote a six month update on my initial review not that long ago. My plan is to leave them on a full year. Write a year end update on my review and then slap on a brand new set for a quickie compare and contrast.

 

[NKBassman]

I just wrote a six month update on my initial review not that long ago. My plan is to leave them on a full year. Write a year end update on my review and then slap on a brand new set for a quickie compare and contrast.

Good plan!

 

[crucislancer]

I just wrote a six month update on my initial review not that long ago. My plan is to leave them on a full year. Write a year end update on my review and then slap on a brand new set for a quickie compare and contrast.

I have a set on my Precision that's been on since the last week of October. So far so good! They still sound great.