That was my initial plan with the BNs on my P as well. But now that a brand new set of Precision Flats are already on the way, I don't think I'll be able to hold off till Oct 26.
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That was my initial plan with the BNs on my P as well. But now that a brand new set of Precision Flats are already on the way, I don't think I'll be able to hold off till Oct 26.
Hey, that's right! We put them on pretty much the same time, and both on Fender Precisions too!
The BN’s get a 9 out of 10 for me. The tone, balanced tension, and longevity of the strings are all amazing. The only thing that is a negative for my personal taste is the rigidness of the E string. It feels like the wrap spacing is a little further apart than on the strings I’ve primarily used for years. That’s just personal preference though. Other than that one thing, I really dig them. I’m still using them on one of my basses.
The entire set was a bit more stiff than the tension figures suggested. Over time as the set played in flexibility increased to the point where it is no different than Bass Boomers.
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The E string is wound with 2 covers; nearly all other E strings have 3. Because of this, the covers are bigger diameter to make the final gauge diameter. So, what you're feeling is the larger final cover which makes it feel like the wraps are a little further apart than the "standard" E string.
As we know, this is where "tension on paper" differs quite a bit from "tension under fingers." The former is based on formulas, data, etc.. and can be backed up. The latter is based more on the individual.
You told us that right from the beginning, so it was to be expected. They play in fabulously well and gain flexibility the more they are played.
When GHS introduced the Round Core Boomers and then the Balanced Nickels, I was curious about how they would do as the only experience I had with round core strings up to that point was with the DR Sunbeams, which I found to be a little too loose and flexible for my taste.
I chose the 4L-NB set based on the tension figures - near perfect balance at 43 lbs. each. I was pleasantly surprised at how firm they felt despite the relatively small gauges and the round core. Nothing like the Sunbeams. And that's a good thing in my book.
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Compared to 45-105 sunbeams?When GHS introduced the Round Core Boomers and then the Balanced Nickels, I was curious about how they would do as the only experience I had with round core strings up to that point was with the DR Sunbeams, which I found to be a little too loose and flexible for my taste.
I chose the 4L-NB set based on the tension figures - near perfect balance at 43 lbs. each. I was pleasantly surprised at how firm they felt despite the relatively small gauges and the round core. Nothing like the Sunbeams. And that's a good thing in my book.
Just now ended up putting a fresh set of Balanced nickels on my main 5 string. Bought and installed a set when they first came out. I really liked them initially but was used to slightly lower tension. They do improve over time and I had them on for a few months. Me being the committed talkbasser I am, I just could not leave well enough alone. So went through a several sets of other strings and realized how many things the balanced nickels get right. Especially that B string.
This is my gigging five string and will leave the BN's on. I'll experiment with my other 5 string until I likely circle back around to these strings on it as well...
This is my gigging five string and will leave the BN's on. I'll experiment with my other 5 string until I likely circle back around to these strings on it as well...
Definitely go with the lights. Although they're round core, these BNs are not as flexible as the Super Brights. Not that they're uncomfortably stiff, but positively firmer than most other round core strings.
Well...
This is supposed to be my last weekend with the Balanced Nickels on my P in order to make way for the Precision Flats that are waiting for their first test drive. I do have mixed feelings about this because this past eight months with these BNs have been quite enjoyable and I could possibly keep going for another few months.
My plan is to try them on my Jazz when the PWs on it are ready to be replaced, but that'll have to wait till next spring. So, bye for now.
This is supposed to be my last weekend with the Balanced Nickels on my P in order to make way for the Precision Flats that are waiting for their first test drive. I do have mixed feelings about this because this past eight months with these BNs have been quite enjoyable and I could possibly keep going for another few months.
My plan is to try them on my Jazz when the PWs on it are ready to be replaced, but that'll have to wait till next spring. So, bye for now.
I put a set of the BN lights on my newly acquired G&L L-1000. I agree with what's been posted here. Coming from medium gauge Super Bright steels they sound quite different. The BNs have a much less upper mid forward sound and no SS chime. There is some sparkle to the highs with the BNs which I like as it gives an openness to the sound. Nice full lows and punchy low mids with a bit of growl. I was looking to tame the aggressive midrange of this bass and they seem to do that well.
The feel of the BNs is maybe a bit stiffer than the SBs but in the same ballpark. They feel comfy and won't need adjustment from me. So far my truss rod is staying where it is but we'll see where we are tomorrow.
I was a bit concerned that these would make the bass sound too dull or 'old school'. I'm not into that old fashioned bass sound that flats give and like a well balanced, warm round wound sound with some sparkle and growl. I'm not a rocker so snarl and honk are not what I'm after. These sound like modern rounds with less honk in the mids - thumbs up!
I really like where the highs are at now - how long can I expect them to hang around? Do these darken significantly as they age?
The feel of the BNs is maybe a bit stiffer than the SBs but in the same ballpark. They feel comfy and won't need adjustment from me. So far my truss rod is staying where it is but we'll see where we are tomorrow.
I was a bit concerned that these would make the bass sound too dull or 'old school'. I'm not into that old fashioned bass sound that flats give and like a well balanced, warm round wound sound with some sparkle and growl. I'm not a rocker so snarl and honk are not what I'm after. These sound like modern rounds with less honk in the mids - thumbs up!
I really like where the highs are at now - how long can I expect them to hang around? Do these darken significantly as they age?
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Mine stayed pretty consistent sounding after a few hours of playing. Had them on the bass for several months with no noticeable change in sound. Seems like once the initial stffness goes away the sound is kind of where it's going to be.
@Linnin Had a set on for quite some time if I remember right.
I have a medium set of these on a Roscoe Century 5 and really liking what I get. The mids are definitely tamer than most rounds - big round sound with some growl.
The highs are plentiful and sweet and creamy like ice cream (but not sticky or melty). The high mids are rather unique in that they are mellow and smooth like a well-aged whiskey. And just like whiskey they are strong and powerful – an intoxicating force to be reckoned with. The low mids exhibit that classic ghs growl we all know and adore. The bottom end is deep; taut, and well-focused. The entire sound spectrum is broad and well amalgamated. There is nothing that overpowers or overshadows one nuance over another. In so many other roundwounds the total sound is wickedly awash in overtones so much so that the stringset is completely unfocused and whatever fundamentals there may be are drowned out. Not so with ghs Balanced Nickels. In fact they are a sonic lifesaver to pull your bass out of a sea roundwound mediocrity.
Three months later I wrote They age so gracefully as to be art. As the highs slowly recede the serious bass beef is the sirloin steak of your sound. These sound exactly the way I want roundwounds to sound on my Precision. The taut bottom attack coupled with the midrange growl gives depth and thickness with a solid presence you have to hear live to appreciate. I have every intention of keeping these on for a full year; making a final report, and then a compare & contrast with a brand new set on this very same bass.
If you review your strings like food and drink, Linnin, how do Linnin’s Food Reviews go down? “The key lime pie was sweet, yet packed a zingy punch-almost like those GHS Pressurewounds I put on my Jazz five months ago”.
Also, in hindsight, did you prefer them when new, or worn-in, if you had to choose?
I like all stringsets to be played in; naturally stretched, and limbered up. This is the tone and feel you will live with for a few months or years depending upon the strings themselves.
