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GHS Bassics

JGR

JGR

The "G" is for Gustav
Commercial User
Jun 29, 2006
5,148
3,214
Huntsville
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Disclosures
President, CEO, CFO, CIO, Chief Engineer, Technician, Janitor - Reiner Amplification
#1
For reference, my favorite strings are SS DR Low Riders, but it is hard to find singles and I don't want to go back to standard gage sets, so I am always looking for other alternatives.

Haven't seen much about these, I ordered singles from GHS so that I could have balanced tension (I love that GHS offers everything in singles, and their shipping is quick). Recently put them on my G&L SPB-1 that has an EMG Geezer and have been very pleased so far.

My overall impression is that they are every balanced sounding - they aren't really grindy, clanky, or scooped, but they aren't bland, dull or boring either. They are sort of a blank canvass so I can still dial in some of the growl I enjoy with the Low Riders, something I have not been able to do with other types/brands that are overly polite or scooped. I really like having a neutral point to start from, and I imagine they will work well with just about any type of bass. Probably the most boring endorsement ever but I still say you may want to give them a try.
 
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#2
JGR said:
My overall impression is that they are every balanced sounding - they aren't really grindy, clanky, or scooped, but they aren't bland, dull or boring either. They are sort of a blank canvass so I can still dial in some of the growl I enjoy with the Low Riders, something I have not been able to do with other types/brands that are overly polite or scooped. I really like having a neutral point to start from, and I imagine they will work well with just about any type of bass. Probably the most boring endorsement ever but I still say you may want to give them a trtry.
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What specific gauges did you get?

The Bassics have been among my top 3 for all-purpose NPS rounds, along with SIT Power Wound Nickels and DR Nickel Lo-Riders.

As you say, their tonal character is neutral enough to sound good on just about any bass. I particularly like their clean, clear and crisp top end without being overly zingy bright. I like the idea all the inner layers are stainless steel with only the final cover being nickel-plated steel, which is one of the features that distinguish them from the Boomers.
 
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#4
michael_t said:
What specific gauges did you get?

The Bassics have been among my top 3 for all-purpose NPS rounds, along with SIT Power Wound Nickels and DR Nickel Lo-Riders.

As you say, their tonal character is neutral enough to sound good on just about any bass. I particularly like their clean, clear and crisp top end without being overly zingy bright. I like the idea all the inner layers are stainless steel with only the final cover being nickel-plated steel, which is one of the features that distinguish them from the Boomers.
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IIRC, 44 - 58 - 80 -106. The 65-85 in typical sets drive me nuts with the spike in tension.
 
#5
Gopherbassist said:
...I'm pretty sure DR does custom sets, all you have to do is order them from a dealer.
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I actually just got some custom sets of Low Riders from Stringsbymail. Nice folks there. It took a bit of time though; I like to be able to have something readily available. GHS ships free on their website and they are fast.
 
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#7
JGR said:
IIRC, 44 - 58 - 80 -106. The 65-85 in typical sets drive me nuts with the spike in tension.
Click to expand...
Have you tried the D'Addario XL170BT set? 45-60-80-107. That is the NPS set with the addition of a 130 tuned up from B to C I have played on the bass I use for my party band since the set was introduced. Bright, fairly long lasting, consistent, even tension. Yes, I also have played similar gauges ordered as singles on my basses, including GHS Progressives 45-60-80-106 on my Rickenbacker 4002 (yes, "2," not "1" or "3") since the mid-90's before "balanced tension" was even a phrase.

You can also order SIT strings in singles. I am trying a set of their nickels on a new 32-inch scale project bass, 45-60-80-105, when the bass will be ready towards Christmas. Overall, their tension is between the D'A and GHS Boomers. Retired Mr. John Hall of Rickenbacker has commented on these strings as an alternative to OEM.
 
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#8
JGR said:
For reference, my favorite strings are SS DR Low Riders, but it is hard to find singles and I don't want to go back to standard gage sets, so I am always looking for other alternatives.

Haven't seen much about these, I ordered singles from GHS so that I could have balanced tension (I love that GHS offers everything in singles, and their shipping is quick). Recently put them on my G&L SPB-1 that has an EMG Geezer and have been very pleased so far.

My overall impression is that they are every balanced sounding - they aren't really grindy, clanky, or scooped, but they aren't bland, dull or boring either. They are sort of a blank canvass so I can still dial in some of the growl I enjoy with the Low Riders, something I have not been able to do with other types/brands that are overly polite or scooped. I really like having a neutral point to start from, and I imagine they will work well with just about any type of bass. Probably the most boring endorsement ever but I still say you may want to give them a try.
Click to expand...
Try strings and beyond.com for single DR Lo Riders . However, I bought some tapered DR Lo Riders B strings a few years ago and they were about $10 a piece.

On a side bar, when I can’t get DR Lo Riders (always available on Amazon, but when on the road that is not an option), I buy GHS bass boomers.
 
#9
iiipopes said:
Have you tried the D'Addario XL170BT set? 45-60-80-107. That is the NPS set with the addition of a 130 tuned up from B to C I have played on the bass I use for my party band since the set was introduced. Bright, fairly long lasting, consistent, even tension. Yes, I also have played similar gauges ordered as singles on my basses, including GHS Progressives 45-60-80-106 on my Rickenbacker 4002 (yes, "2," not "1" or "3") since the mid-90's before "balanced tension" was even a phrase.

You can also order SIT strings in singles. I am trying a set of their Foundations nickels on a new 32-inch scale project bass, 45-60-80-105, when the bass will be ready towards Christmas. Overall, their tension is between the D'A and GHS Boomers. Retired Mr. John Hall of Rickenbacker has commented on these strings as an alternative to OEM.
Click to expand...
I am going to try some SIT's based on @michael_t 's recommendation. I like the D'Addarios and they are pretty balanced sounding, but I can never quite get them to sound grindy/aggressive enough, the Bassics sound more of what I wanted those to sound like if that makes sense. But I can see what folks like them, and I love that they offer balanced tension sets (and the ability to order singles). Elixer is another good one for ordering singles, I do that with their acoustic guitar strings, haven't tried their bass strings in a long time.
 
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#10
JGR said:
I am going to try some SIT's based on @michael_t 's recommendation. I like the D'Addarios and they are pretty balanced sounding, but I can never quite get them to sound grindy/aggressive enough, the Bassics sound more of what I wanted those to sound like if that makes sense. But I can see what folks like them, and I love that they offer balanced tension sets (and the ability to order singles). Elixer is another good one for ordering singles, I do that with their acoustic guitar strings, haven't tried their bass strings in a long time.
Click to expand...
Ordering SIT's in single gauges 45-60-80-105 will get you the best balanced set tension string-to-string. SIT tension chart attached.
 

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#12
GHS Bassics are an overlooked and underrated string. I've used 'em before and liked them much better than the hex-core Boomers and even D'Addario XLs. Excellent strings for the price.

Don't know how long GHS will keep the Bassics in their lineup, since part of me thinks they're aiming to phase them out in favor of the "Solidwound Boomers" which are hex-core Boomers without silks as their lower-cost offering.

And, yes, along with GHS, SIT allows you to buy single strings from their website. A custom gauged 4-string set of SIT Foundations will cost about the same as a prepackaged set.
 
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#13
Dincrest said:
Don't know how long GHS will keep the Bassics in their lineup, since part of me thinks they're aiming to phase them out in favor of the "Solidwound Boomers" which are hex-core Boomers without silks as their lower-cost offering.
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GHS did discontinue the Bassics earlier this year. But based on feedback from some of us who protested their move, they eventually did reverse their decision and the Bassics were reinstated to their lineup.

Here's a company who was willing to listen to what we had to say as their loyal customers and responded in a positive way.
 
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#14
I'm looking at replacing my Smith strings because they're too light a gauge and unimpressive. I wish Rotosound made a 6 string set that had extra long scale length.

I was interested in trying GHS. I need stainless steel 6 string preferably 35 "C" string to 125 or 130 "B" with a longer than 38.25" ball end to silk string length. Suggestions welcome!
 

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