At age 61, I'm in the process of going lighter with my string selections. After reading about the Brite Flats and their being stiffer than average, I purposely selected the lightest set available (45-98) for my trial run. We'll see how that goes...
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At age 61, I'm in the process of going lighter with my string selections. After reading about the Brite Flats and their being stiffer than average, I purposely selected the lightest set available (45-98) for my trial run. We'll see how that goes...
- Sep 9, 2007
- 5,309
- 4,977
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Eventide, GHS Strings, G&L Guitars, NS Design, Tsunami Cables
Just to be clear, you preferred the original packaging of the Brite Flats that wasn't changed since they were introduced in the late 70s/early 80s?
According to their description on the GHS website, the Brite Flats are for "Motown with an Attitude"; "a string that feels like a flatwound, but has the bite and definition of a roundwound."
The GHS Pressurewounds (ML7200, 44-58-80-102) have been my go-to string for my Fender Jazz for the last few years. But since I acquired my first active 5-string (Yamaha TRBX505) back in April, they have quickly become the mainstay on that bass. Meanwhile, I've just finished my first 30-day test drive with the GHS Precision Flats on my Fender Precision, which has now turned into a long-term relationship. So now with the PWs on my Yamaha and the PFs on my P, my initial plan was to put the Fender 9050CL flats back on my J and be done with all string experiments and groove happily ever after. But wait... There is just one other thing I've been curious about but haven't had a chance to try out - the Brite Flats (Alloy 52 groundwound/half-round).
So here I am with yet another "test drive", hoping this will end my 5-year string journey for good. (Wishful thinking, maybe?)
I've just installed them over the weekend and done the setup last night so any meaningful assessment will have to wait. But here are some preliminary observations...
The GHS Pressurewounds (ML7200, 44-58-80-102) have been my go-to string for my Fender Jazz for the last few years. But since I acquired my first active 5-string (Yamaha TRBX505) back in April, they have quickly become the mainstay on that bass. Meanwhile, I've just finished my first 30-day test drive with the GHS Precision Flats on my Fender Precision, which has now turned into a long-term relationship. So now with the PWs on my Yamaha and the PFs on my P, my initial plan was to put the Fender 9050CL flats back on my J and be done with all string experiments and groove happily ever after. But wait... There is just one other thing I've been curious about but haven't had a chance to try out - the Brite Flats (Alloy 52 groundwound/half-round).
So here I am with yet another "test drive", hoping this will end my 5-year string journey for good. (Wishful thinking, maybe?)
I've just installed them over the weekend and done the setup last night so any meaningful assessment will have to wait. But here are some preliminary observations...
Gauge Selection: I've chosen the light set (L3075, 45-56-77-98) based on reviews indicating they're stiffer-feeling than typical rounds. And I can attest to that already as they do feel positively firm under the plucking fingers (not a bad thing in my book) despite relatively small gauges, although they're by no means uncomfortably stiff for fretting.
Tension: Sorry, folks, but I can never do an assessment on a set of strings without mentioning the tension figures.
Aesthetics: The blue silk on them is much darker than the one on the D'A Chromes, and it is quite pleasing to the eye. My only minor gripe is the fact the Brite Flats, like the Precision Flats, are only offered in "Long Plus" (38" winding), and not in "Universal Long Scale" (37.25" winding). This means part of the main body of the E string ends up riding on the tuning post as seen in the above photo.
I'll be putting them to work for the next few weeks and back with my first impressions. So, stay tuned...Tension: Sorry, folks, but I can never do an assessment on a set of strings without mentioning the tension figures.
G 045 - 38.3
D 056 - 35.9
A 077 - 39.3
E 098 - 38.8 (Total 152.3 lbs.)
As you can see, they're fairly light-weight and nicely balanced right from the factory.
Just for comparison, here are the numbers for the Pressurewound ML7200:
G 044 - 43.3
D 058 - 41.9
A 080 - 44.6
E 102 - 39.5 (Total 169.3 lbs.)
Surface Texture: This is where half-rounds/goundwounds tend to get negative reviews. People often complain about how sticky and grabby they are brand new out of the package. And they're right; they do have a distinctly tacky feel to them that I have not experienced with any other strings, including the Pressurewound. And it doesn't help I've just gotten used the silky smooth feel of the Precision Flats for the last month. I can see how this sticky surface feel can be a turn-off for some people.D 056 - 35.9
A 077 - 39.3
E 098 - 38.8 (Total 152.3 lbs.)
As you can see, they're fairly light-weight and nicely balanced right from the factory.
Just for comparison, here are the numbers for the Pressurewound ML7200:
G 044 - 43.3
D 058 - 41.9
A 080 - 44.6
E 102 - 39.5 (Total 169.3 lbs.)
Aesthetics: The blue silk on them is much darker than the one on the D'A Chromes, and it is quite pleasing to the eye. My only minor gripe is the fact the Brite Flats, like the Precision Flats, are only offered in "Long Plus" (38" winding), and not in "Universal Long Scale" (37.25" winding). This means part of the main body of the E string ends up riding on the tuning post as seen in the above photo.
That's what I'm hoping... Will report back on it.
Actually, we count on you being the Tension King bringing us the numerical facts.
Yes it's one of those things that remind me of the fond days of my youth like corduroy pants and Hannah Barbara cartoons.Just to be clear, you preferred the original packaging of the Brite Flats that wasn't changed since they were introduced in the late 70s/early 80s?
A @michael_t review without meticulous tension information would be like a @Linnin review without stunningly creative metaphors!
It is and it isn't. In the mid 1980's thereabouts, D'Addairio came out with Half Rounds. I foolishly bought into the marketing and bought a set. It was a terrible mistake. I would have been better off if I had just thrown a twenty dollar bill out of my speeding 1969 Mustang's window. ACK! I know it's wrong to equate D'Addario Half Rounds with ghs Brite Flats (which I've never played).
I tried a set of Fender tapewounds in 1973. I wanted to sound like an upright. I couldn't have been more disappointed if Brigette Bardot had turned out to be a drag queen. ACK! Never again.
I started to put a set of BF on my Stingray but stopped when I saw this happening.
Anybody else have some of the meat of the E string going around the post and be ok?
Yet another "stunningly creative metaphor" by @Linnin. This man is truly gifted in that regard!
Just to clarify, I see this more as a cosmetic issue than a functional one, thanks to my OCD-prone nature.
While the D'Addario half rounds have a different design than they originally did, the D'Addario half rounds of today are noticeably different than the GHS Brite Flats. Could be worth a try, but maybe not.
I like the GHS Brite Flats on my fretless Jazz bass. I tried them also on my fretted Jazz bass, and thought that combination sounded like trash. Not sure why. Different pickups (Fender 1962-reissue pickups vs. Fender Custom Shop 60s pickups), but I thought pretty similar pickups. *shrug*
Another point for, with time and effort, matching a particular stringset with a particular bass. I might in fact not like GHS Brite Flats in general, but I have found at least one bass they work well on.
Likewise, I used the previous incarnation of Fender tapewounds (purchased circa 1997) for years on a Yamaha bass. What they sell today is not the same thing. Tried them for a few days and took them off, don't plan to ever try again -- unless maybe they introduce yet another new design. Not sure what they sold in 1973!
Interesting to read this coming from you... It was the audio clip of your fretless with BFs that got me curious enough to want to try them on my fretted Jazz.
Interesting to read this coming from you... It was the audio clip of your fretless with BFs that got me curious enough to want to try them on my fretted Jazz.
I thought I shouldn't share my fretted Jazz experience lest it taint your own experience. Oops!
It's one thing to be able to match up a bass with the right strings; it's quite another to match up one's ears to the right bass/strings combination. What sounds good to you may not sound so good to me, or vice versa. Who knows, I may end up loving the BFs on my fretted J.
It's one thing to be able to match up a bass with the right strings; it's quite another to match up one's ears to the right bass/strings combination. What sounds good to you may not sound so good to me, or vice versa. Who knows, I may end up loving the BFs on my fretted J.
You might! And what's more, I might like them on your bass also!
