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GHS Brite Flats 3rd try

Discussion in 'Strings [BG]' started by Flatwound, Jun 28, 2020.

  1. Jun 28, 2020 #1
    Flatwound

    Flatwound Supporting Member

    Sep 9, 2000
    San Diego
    Over the last thirty or so years, I have tried Brite Flats a couple of times, and I was recently tempted to try them again. In the past, I haven't liked them, because I don't think that they do what they claim. However, I was willing to try them again, this time looking for what I think they deliver. Tastes change.

    I will repeat something I've said before, which is I find them much more Flat than Brite. They sound nothing like roundwound strings, and are much closer to flats. The flatwound sound seems to suit the current bands I'm in, a classic rock/blues band, and a church band that doesn't require slap bass.

    I've now played them at church for three weeks in a row, and feel qualified to comment. First, they have a very strong attack, which I had forgotten about. I would definitely call them thumpy. They also have the strongest fundamental of any string I've tried in the last few years. Very deep, with big lows. Really not much for highs, but strong mids as well.

    Setup as follows: Schecter Stiletto Elite 5 with EMG40P5X and 40PSX, usually through an EHX Battalion. This week I used my Broughton HPF, about which more later. At church I use an old-ish Acoustic B200 combo.

    I had found the lows to be somewhat overwhelming, particularly on the B string. Super thick sounding strings. So this week I used my Broughton Always-On HPF to tame things a little, and it definitely tightened things up. Previously I had been using Lo Riders on this bass, and these are quite different, as you might expect. I liked the Lo Riders fine, but wanted to try something different.

    The only issue I have with these right now is the B string, which is a bit mushy, but I have a hard time finding B strings that I really like. With the addition of the HPF, the B isn't too bad.

    Anyway, there you have my 2 cents on Brite Flats. I'll keep them on for a while.
     
    JEDI BASS and trothwell like this.
  2. Jun 28, 2020 #2
    michael_t

    michael_t

    Feb 11, 2013
    49.8951 N, 97.1384 W
    Welcome to the world of semi-flats! I do agree that they are more "flatwound" than "roundwound" in their tonal character.

    The first two times I tried them was on my J-bass, and they didn't exactly blow me away. I was only half-enthused about the half-rounds.

    They say "third time's a charm", I decided to try them on my P-bass this time around and what a difference! I've only had them on for one week, but my P bass is already sounding like how I want it to sound. Thick, full-bodied punch (like a flat) but with clarity and definition (like a round). Very happy so far.

    Here's where I've been posting my findings on the Brite Flats: Ghs: BRITE FLATS vs PRESSUREWOUNDS

    The only thing is I haven't had a chance to put them to the test in a live band setting yet, but hopefully in the next week or two.
     
    Last edited: Jun 28, 2020
    uwrossl and JEDI BASS like this.
  3. Jun 29, 2020 #3
    uwrossl

    uwrossl Blues/Soul/Rock N Roll Supporting Member

    Nov 13, 2009
    I've got a set of the light gauge brite flats inbound to go along with the custom medium set of the precision flats. I'm looking forward to my first go with them. I've successfully gotten rid of that tacky feeling from several sets of strings recently with an alcohol wipe and a little vaseline. Knowing the sit a little further to the flat side of things has me even more pumped to try them.

    Do you find any similarity between them and something like the 9050s or Cobalts?
     
  4. Jun 29, 2020 #4
    michael_t

    michael_t

    Feb 11, 2013
    49.8951 N, 97.1384 W
    Interesting you should mention Fender 9050...
    When I tried the BFs on my J for the second time around, once they got played in a little, they did kind of remind me of the 9050s, except the mids are smoother on the BFs.

    And now that I've been spending a fair amount of time with the new BFs on my P, I'm reminded of the old Black Label Sadowsky Flats I once tried on this same bass. Those were really nice strings with a rich mid character that sat really well in the mix. If I can get these BFs to sound anywhere close to those Sads, they'll be a keeper.

    Can't comment on the Cobalt Flats as I have no experience with them.
     
  5. Jun 29, 2020 #5
    uwrossl

    uwrossl Blues/Soul/Rock N Roll Supporting Member

    Nov 13, 2009
    That's what I was hoping to hear about the mids on the BFs. My P already has plenty of growl on it's on so the fact that they are in that ball park but smoother is really intriguing. I also had a set of the black label Sadowsky's years back that I really liked so both of those descriptions sound like things that I'll like. Thx for the info
     
  6. Jun 29, 2020 #6
    michael_t

    michael_t

    Feb 11, 2013
    49.8951 N, 97.1384 W
    Just one more thing I should mention...

    Based on what I've been reading, the EB Cobalt Flats are one of the more flexible flats. The BF 45-98 are probably closer to the 9050 45-100 and Sadowsky Black 40-100 in terms of stiffness than the Cobalt 45-100.
     
  7. Jun 29, 2020 #7
    uwrossl

    uwrossl Blues/Soul/Rock N Roll Supporting Member

    Nov 13, 2009
    I actually found the Cobalt 45-100 and Fender 45-100 very comparable. Those were the sets of each that I just tested. Cobalts maybe slightly more flexible than than the Fenders but for me the difference was minimal and I A/B'd those sets back to back on my Moollon. As you know the 9050s landed on my J. So the light gauge set of BF's should be right on point.
     
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