GHS Balanced Nickels are too stiff!

[michael_t]

A list of them would be helpful.

Before we get into that, I do have a question for you...

GHS BNs are too stiff for you, but what about the tone? Do they provide the tone you're after? Too bright or too mellow?

EDIT: You have another thread going regarding the "lowest tension flats". Would you prefer flats over rounds?

 

[Jon Moody]

So balanced strings are typically stiffer?

All balanced tension strings tell you is that each string has comparable pulling tension when brought to tension. The only thing you can assume from that is that if all strings have roughly the same tension, the "perceived stiffness" will be similar as well.

My main complaint about the PF's are that the E and A sound like a bass, and the D and G sound like a guitar.

That's very interesting. First I've heard of something like that, but I can look into it.

 

[The Great Genius]

Before we get into that, I do have a question for you...

GHS BNs are too stiff for you, but what about the tone? Do they provide the tone you're after? Too bright or too mellow?

I like its warm, flatwound like sound. But I prefer smoother feeling strings.

EDIT: You have another thread going regarding the "lowest tension flats". Would you prefer flats over rounds?

Yes.

 

[The Great Genius]

All balanced tension strings tell you is that each string has comparable pulling tension when brought to tension. The only thing you can assume from that is that if all strings have roughly the same tension, the "perceived stiffness" will be similar as well.

Balanced sound is what I am after.

 

[onda'bass]

In my experiences with ghs strings, is that to me they feel more taught or firm that any other manufacture in the same gauge comparison. I notice this on all sets I tried, boomers,pw,steels. This is not a dig on ghs, more my observation and opinion.

 

[michael_t]

I like its warm, flatwound like sound. But I prefer smoother feeling strings.

Balanced sound is what I am after.

I recommended the Dunlop Flats in your other thread. The "short scale" sets (32" ball end to taper/silk) are available both in 45-65-85-105 and 40-60-80-100. They're at the flexible end of the flatwound stiffness scale. And based on what I've read, they're well liked for their balanced tone as well as balanced feel.

If you're willing to try something that's more roundwound in tonal character but a smoother feel than typical rounds, I can also suggest the GHS Pressurewounds. They sound more like a slightly mellowed down roundwound than a flatwound, and their "rollerwound" outer cover provides a smoother surface texture. The short-scale set, 40-54-76-96, is lighter than the Balanced Nickels (44-60-80-106), but still nicely balanced both in tension and tone across all four strings.

 

[tindrum]

In my experiences with ghs strings, is that to me they feel more taught or firm that any other manufacture in the same gauge comparison. I notice this on all sets I tried, boomers,pw,steels. This is not a dig on ghs, more my observation and opinion.

Very much my experience as well.

 

[michael_t]

In my experiences with ghs strings, is that to me they feel more taught or firm that any other manufacture in the same gauge comparison.

This is true, and that's why I like their lighter sets for playing comfort.

40-96 for Pressurewounds, 40-95 for Boomers, 45-95 for Precision Flats, 40-102 for Bassics, etc.

 

[The Great Genius]

I have decided to try the La Bella LTF's next since I like their sound the best. If only they will sound even across its strings.

 

[dedpool1052]

Unlike other string sets, where the only difference between long scale and short scale strings is the winding length, I designed the short scale set based on the instrument it was going on.

The idea behind that was to have a set of BN on your 34” bass and 30” bass and have both feel the same.

Recently got a set of BNs for my new short scale, because their tension was very close to that of the 40-95 sets I use on my long scale basses.

Made the mistake of trying to use the same gauge on my shorty.

Nope, not enough tension.
When searching SS sets,the BNs were tops, but I hesitated due to gauge.

Mistake.

New strings arrive, and are ok for a bit, but I quickly realize they just don't work.
A,D, & G are alright. E is just plain flat.

Get the BNs,
Boom! Like that.
The feel and sound is there.

And now the E is nice and pronounced.

Still dialing in the action, but the feel of the BNs definitely make the shorty "feel" like a standard gauge equipped long scale.
But, it also has a similar "ease of play/flexibility" of light gauge sets.

Now, they don't feel completely like my usual 40-95 gauge boomers/d'addario xls I use on my long scales (those actually feel looser, compared to the BNs on the shorty)

I think part of that is due to the gauge.

Either way,
My Spector Bantam sounds like a beast, and I'm glad I got the BNs on it.

 

[Cambo351]

This thread and the various comments in it have sold me on the short scale balanced nickels, just ordered two sets.

The idea behind that was to have a set of BN on your 34” bass and 30” bass and have both feel the same.

That is exactly what I am looking for. Can't wait to try them out.

 

[woodyng2]

I had a set of the light gauge balanced tension GHS full scale strings on my GL Kiloton.
I really liked the sound of them, but they were stiffer feeling to me than the Kalium BT string sets
I’ve used over the years. I would want to try to get the K strings again, if there wasn’t the
Hit/miss problem with them fulfilling orders.

 

[GwenOnBass]

GHS Balanced Nickels have a permanent home on my Nordstrand Cat bass.

 

[dedpool1052]

GHS Balanced Nickels have a permanent home on my Nordstrand Cat bass.

View attachment 5003331

They've found a permanent home on my Bantam as well

 

[Funky40]

i have a 90.-$ 30" short scale from thomann,
and went for the 57.-$ BNs for it.
GREAT update !
.....but comparing the two prices is ridiculous, haha.

(just, i took the normal scale ones, 44-106, since the Bass was ofcoarse converted to a headless / the advantage of headless, i can use any strings)

 

[Funky40]

(just, i took the normal scale ones, 44-106, since the Bass was ofcoarse converted to a headless / the advantage of headless, i can use any strings)

i forgot to mention:
i´d prefer these with some higher tension. (vs. normal scale NPs on a 30" )
So, i would have been better off taking the shortscale ones, from what i gather from this thread ?

i think there was no info about it. ( higher tension on short scale ones)
Bought at thomann.de

 

[michael_t]

i´d prefer these with some higher tension. (vs. normal scale NPs on a 30" )
So, i would have been better off taking the shortscale ones, from what i gather from this thread ?

The "short scale" Balanced Nickels are NOT just a shorter version of the "long scale", although the gauges are the same (44-106). The "short scale" version is specifically designed for optimal balance both in tension and tone on a short-scale bass.

This simple fact is not so obvious from the retailer's standpoint, though.

 

[HaphAsSard]

The "short scale" Balanced Nickels are NOT just a shorter version of the "long scale", although the gauges are the same (44-106).

Except they are.
A look at the tension guide says they have the same unit weights. They're apparenty the same strings, only wound to different lengths.
What I presume happened is that, originally, the short-scale 44-106 set (no. 4700) was designed to feel similar to the light long-scale set (4L-NB), and the result was also offered as a long-scale medium-tension option when the whole product line was launched.

In short, I doubt using the ss st would feel any different on @Funky40's bass.

 

[michael_t]

Except they are.
A look at the tension guide says they have the same unit weights. They're apparenty the same strings, only wound to different lengths.
What I presume happened is that, originally, the short-scale 44-106 set (no. 4700) was designed to feel similar to the light long-scale set (4L-NB), and the result was also offered as a long-scale medium-tension option when the whole product line was launched.

In short, I doubt using the ss st would feel any different on @Funky40's bass.

Here's an earlier post (#9) by @Jon Moody ...

Unlike other string sets, where the only difference between long scale and short scale strings is the winding length, I designed the short scale set based on the instrument it was going on.

The idea behind that was to have a set of BN on your 34” bass and 30” bass and have both feel the same.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Here's an earlier post (#9) by @Jon Moody ...

Thst doesn't contradict my personal hypothesis, as stated in my post.
Neither does it offer an alternative interpretation of the data, as published on the tension guide.
The 4700 and 4M-NB sets either are:
1) the same strings
2) different strings, which miraculusly end up with the same linear masses
3) different strings, but they are mistakenly reported as having identical unit weights in the chart.