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Ghs: BRITE FLATS vs PRESSUREWOUNDS

#141
Deadsound said:
As others have said, PWs are in the round wound family, and BFs are in the flats family. I really like the tone of each, but prefer the feel of the BFs. Yes, a little sticky, but smoother than the PWs, which have a sort of coarse texture to them.

...I wish I liked the feel of the PWs more, but I don't love it.
Click to expand...

When I tried the PWs for the first time, I had been using flats almost exclusively for about a year. So, their "smooth texture" I had read about didn't exactly blow me away as they felt like any rounds under my fingers.

Then I went on a spree trying several sets of rounds for the next year, and when I came back to the PWs eventually, that's when I realized how smooth they really were in comparison. So, I guess it's all in one's perspective as to how "smooth" or "coarse" a set of strings can feel.
 
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#142
Just because I found one in my drawer, I tried swapping out a Labella DTF .128 B string (on a DTF FL set) with a Smith Slick-Round .130 (Brite-Flat equivalent). It’s interesting, because it adds a bit more sonic complexity and def more sustain than the Labella. I’m still deciding whether or not I like it in that setting.
 
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#143
michael_t said:
When I tried the PWs for the first time, I had been using flats almost exclusively for about a year. So, their "smooth texture" I had read about didn't exactly blow me away as they felt like any rounds under my fingers.

Then I went on a spree trying several sets of rounds for the next year, and when I came back to the PWs eventually, that's when I realized how smooth they really were in comparison. So, I guess it's all in one's perspective as to how "smooth" or "coarse" a set of strings can feel.
Click to expand...
Definitely. The "coarse" description is trying to get at the wider wraps compared to most rounds, because they are partially flattened out. It's similar to a round texture, but the wraps are further apart. So I guess that's more "smooth" - as there is more flat surface compared to a round - but it is still textured. Tough to describe I guess.

I have a well worn set of sunbeams in the mix and I'd say those are the smoothest of what I have around (not counting true flats)

But regardless, the PWs are unique, with their own different feel.
 
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#147
michael_t said:
I know the GHS Brite Flat 129B is not taperwound. I was asking @TomB about the Ken Smith Slick Round 130B.

The Pressurewound 128B is not taperwound, either. But the Ken Smith Compressor 125B IS. That's why I'm curious about the Slick Round.
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The slick round 130 B is not tapered

I actually have 2 of those B strings on hand, even though my 4 string P is wearing the rest of the set
 
#148
Deadsound said:
The slick round 130 B is not tapered

I actually have 2 of those B strings on hand, even though my 4 string P is wearing the rest of the set
Click to expand...

When you said you had "Brite Flats on a 4-string P" in post #140, did you have the part "(actually the Smith branded version, slick rounds)" initially and did I missed it completely? Or, was it added later? If I missed it in the first place, I do apologize for my oversight.
 
#150
michael_t said:
I just looked it up on the Ken Smith website. Looks like they do offer both tapered and non-tapered versions of the 130B.
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Interesting! My Slick Round .130 is not tapered. Of course, the Labella it replaced is. Only minor saddle adjustment was required. As has always been true, all the way back to early Rotosounds, it’s hard to pin down if sonic differences result from a taper or its absence. The two strings do have very different native voices.
 
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#151
michael_t said:
After an agonizing three months trying to decide what the next set of strings for my P should be, I've finally decided to stick to my initial plan. The BFs will replace the PWs as of this coming Sunday now that the PWs are exactly one year old as of yesterday.
Click to expand...

As promised, my P bass is now wearing the Brite Flats L3075 (45-56-77-98) as of tonight.

GHS BF on P 200621-2.jpg

GHS BF on P 200621-1.jpg


I'll let them settle overnight and do a complete setup tomorrow morning.
 
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#152
michael_t said:
I'll let them settle overnight and do a complete setup tomorrow morning.
Click to expand...

The setup work took all but 5 mins.

I made sure my bass was tuned to proper pitch when I went to bed last night. And when I checked it again first thing this morning, all four strings were ever so slightly sharp. I knew right away exactly why... The neck had straightened a bit overnight, which I kind of expected, due to the reduced tension. 169.3 lbs. (PW) vs. 152.3 lbs. (BF). All it took was 1/8 turn of the truss rod to take care of that.

The only other thing I had to do was slight (I mean very little) intonation adjustments on E and D. That's it, all done!

One thing I did that I don't normally do (= have never done) when installing new strings is to clean them thoroughly using an isopropyl alcohol wipe before installation instead of just dry cloth. It seems to have helped a fair bit as these new BFs don't feel nearly as sticky and grabby as the first time I tried a set on my J-bass a couple of years ago.

I'll spend some time later on today to start breaking them in. Will report back with my initial impressions.
 
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#153
When I tried the Brite Flats on my J-bass a couple of summers ago, they didn't exactly blow me away and ended up coming off after only three weeks. Then when I decided to give them a second chance by keeping them on for six months, the whole experience was a little better but I was still only half-enthused about the half-rounds.

Now the Brite Flats on my P-bass this time around...
Surprise, surprise... This is turning out to be a completely different experience!

I wanted to try the BFs on my P to see if they could give it a unique voice of its own that's different from my J and Yamaha, both of which are currently wearing the PWs. And that's exactly what's happening; my P has just woken up and is starting to sounding like a P should again - at least according to how I hear the P-bass in my head.

A few observations:
  • This particular set (45-98) is very nicely balanced both in tone and feel across all four strings.
  • Comfortable tension/stiffness for fretting but still firm enough not to go all bouncy under the plucking fingers.
  • The tone is definitely more flatwound-ish than the PWs they replaced, and they seem to match up well with the CS60 pickup by bringing out the classic P-bass character.
  • The 98E is punchy and clear with excellent note definition and sustain up and down the neck. Unlike some flatwound E's I've tried in the past, it doesn't get muddy or boomy.
  • Slight stickiness is still there, but thanks to the alcohol wipe, they're starting to feel nice and smooth already.
My previous half-enthusiasm regarding half-rounds has all of a sudden turned into a full-blown excitement!
 
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#155
michael_t said:
Slight stickiness is still there, but thanks to the alcohol wipe, they're starting to feel nice and smooth already.
Click to expand...

When I tried the BFs for the first time, I had a rather unpleasant experience trying to deal with the initial stickiness. But it's a completely different experience this time around as the new BFs on my P are already feeling as smooth as any flats I've tried in the past only after three days. And all it took was a simple alcohol wipe before installation.

I always thought the half-round stickiness was mainly due to the tiny gaps left between the outer winding after the round wire is ground down.

As seen here...

Bass Strings Underwrap.jpg


But this whole experience tells me it actually has more to do with all the gunk left on them as a result of the grinding process.

Root 5 said:
Resistance is futile.
Click to expand...

I was a bit hesitant about trying the BFs on my P in the light of not-so-positive experience the first time. But no more hesitation, NO MORE RESISTANCE. I'm all in with this whole thing!
 
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