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GHS Balanced Nickel strings

Perfect match for a 29.5" scale Fender JB62SS (MIJ).

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There's a pretty big tonal difference between the pure nickel of Balanced Nickels and the nickel-plated steel (of which, industry standard is 8% nickel, and 92% steel) of Roundcore Bass Boomers.
I have a bass that really likes the RC Boomers, but I'm thinking of the BNs. Could you (or anyone) elaborate on the tonal difference between the RCBs and the BNs?

I like the RCBs because they sound BIG. Tons of lowend. I don't recall if the BNs have as much lowend. When I had a set I was surprised at the mids as much as anything.
 
plenty of bottom for me with BN. The biggest difference for me between the two is the tension; I play 'light sets' and like the tension in the low30s. BN are in the low 40s (lbs), and RCB are in the mid 30s.

For a general 'feel' test; tune up your RCB a whole step— solo tuning F#, B, E, A—that'll put them around low 40s for tension, similar to BN (or tune your BN down a whole step to get a similar RCB set)
 
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Well I made an offer on a set on ebay and it was accepted, so I'll be giving these another try. I do recall loving the feel. Just no magic connection with the basses I tried them on at the time. These will go on a different bass so I'm optimistic.
 
Here's another comparison:

Balanced Nickel 4M-NB, 44-60-80-106 = Total tension 184.2 lbs.
Boomers (hex) Custom Balanced, 45-60-80-105 = Total tension 174.2 lbs.
Precision Flats CM3050, 45-60-80-105 = Total tension 174.1 lbs.
Round Core Boomer Custom Balanced, 45-60-80-105 = Total tension 159.2 lbs.
I just received my BNs. They sent Mediums not the lights I ordered. I"m concerned about the tension, stiffness and flexibility. I don't like playing cables, but if these are flexible and fret easily I would be OK. I know no one can answer this for me, but is is likely that these are flexible enough to not feel like 184 lbs of tension? I recall the lights being very flexible even for that gauge. I don't really want to have to send them back, but....
Thanks to anyone who can shed some light on these medium strings.
 
@Jon Moody

I have a 33" scale Rickenbacker 4003 that I tuned down to C standard and the strings are like wet spaghetti. Going after that 'Queens of the Stone age' sound - Do you have any recommendations? Someone mentioned Heavy boomers. Have no problem setting up the 4003 and cutting a new nut.
 
I just received my BNs. They sent Mediums not the lights I ordered. I"m concerned about the tension, stiffness and flexibility.
Don't be. They are more alike than different.
Hopefully @Linnin can chime in. He's currently using both sets - the medium on his P bass and the light on his J.
I was just playing my Jazz this morning. The lights are about five months old now. The mediums on my Precision are nearly a year old, and will be changing them out in December. The biggest difference between the two sets is the G string. I like the heavier G. As a whole the feel and flexibility between the two sets are nearly indistinguishable. Tone too.
 
I have a 33" scale Rickenbacker 4003 that I tuned down to C standard and the strings are like wet spaghetti.

Of course they are. You're tuning them down two whole steps on a shorter scale bass. ANYTHING off the shelf is going to be very loose with that setup.


Going after that 'Queens of the Stone age' sound - Do you have any recommendations? Someone mentioned Heavy boomers. Have no problem setting up the 4003 and cutting a new nut.

Yeah, you're gonna have to have a new nut made for that tuning. The H3045 set (50-70-95-115) may not work for you, as it's not that much different from the 4L-NB set that you have. However, since Bass Boomers have a hex core instead of round, that stiffness may be what you are looking for.

H3045 Set - C Standard Tuning at 33" scale
DYB50 - 30.6lb
DYB70 - 33.4lb
DYB95 - 38.2lb
DYB115 - 29.0lb

4L-NB Set - C Standard Tuning at 33" scale
NB44 - 28.2lb
NB60 - 27.3lb
NB80 - 27.1lb
NB106 - 26.6lb


If I were you, I'd just get singles. Here's what I'd do, based on the feel/tension of a M3045 set at 34" scale.

C Standard Tuning at 33" scale
DYB60 - 44.6lb
DYB80 - 47.6lb
DYB105 - 44.7lb
DYB130 - 39.0lb

M3045 Set - E Standard Tuning at 34" scale
DYB45 - 44.8lb
DYB65 - 50.2lb
DYB85 - 49.4lb
DYB105 - 42.3lb
 
Of course they are. You're tuning them down two whole steps on a shorter scale bass. ANYTHING off the shelf is going to be very loose with that setup.




Yeah, you're gonna have to have a new nut made for that tuning. The H3045 set (50-70-95-115) may not work for you, as it's not that much different from the 4L-NB set that you have. However, since Bass Boomers have a hex core instead of round, that stiffness may be what you are looking for.

H3045 Set - C Standard Tuning at 33" scale
DYB50 - 30.6lb
DYB70 - 33.4lb
DYB95 - 38.2lb
DYB115 - 29.0lb

4L-NB Set - C Standard Tuning at 33" scale
NB44 - 28.2lb
NB60 - 27.3lb
NB80 - 27.1lb
NB106 - 26.6lb


If I were you, I'd just get singles. Here's what I'd do, based on the feel/tension of a M3045 set at 34" scale.

C Standard Tuning at 33" scale
DYB60 - 44.6lb
DYB80 - 47.6lb
DYB105 - 44.7lb
DYB130 - 39.0lb

M3045 Set - E Standard Tuning at 34" scale
DYB45 - 44.8lb
DYB65 - 50.2lb
DYB85 - 49.4lb
DYB105 - 42.3lb

Thanks Jon!

Going with your advice on the singles :)

I found a place that sells the singles (That was actually harder than I thought!) Mouse is still hovering above the order button, just need to see if it's a reputable place (Juststrings.com).
 
I found a place that sells the singles (That was actually harder than I thought!) Mouse is still hovering above the order button, just need to see if it's a reputable place (Juststrings.com).

That’s one of the largest online string retailers in the US. Despite their 90s web design, they’re incredibly reputable.

FrerNation would also be able to get those for you.
 
Contact Jason at fretnation.com. He's an active member here (@SLaPiNFuNK). He'll be able to look after your needs for ordering singles.

Thanks to you both!

Will make the order tonight - Was so impressed with the Balanced Nickel Shortscale that I decided to just stick with GHS from now one - No Black magic and unicorn blood infused mojo, just awesome strings!

That’s one of the largest online string retailers in the US. Despite their 90s web design, they’re incredibly reputable.

FrerNation would also be able to get those for you.