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GHS Precision Flats - 5 string question

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Dan_reeves

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Jun 14, 2013
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#1
Hi all hope you had a nice weekend. Question for those who have used the 5 string set of P Flats before:

How’s the B string?

I use the light 4 string set and really like it and am well accustomed to their tone. I am debating whether to buy the regular 5 string set, or just add a B string + the light set that I love. Thoughts? Thanks!
 
#2
Dan_reeves said:
I use the light 4 string set and really like it and am well accustomed to their tone. I am debating whether to buy the regular 5 string set, or just add a B string + the light set that I love. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I have no experience with the Precision Flat low B, so can't help you there.

That said, if I were to get them for a 5-string, I'd definitely go with the light set (45-95) plus a single 126B.
 
#3
michael_t said:
I have no experience with the Precision Flat low B, so can't help you there.

That said, if I were to get them for a 5-string, I'd definitely go with the light set (45-95) plus a single 126B.
Click to expand...

That is kind of what I am thinking. I found out the single is a bit expensive, relatively. Cheaper to buy the 5 string set. I have a light set I haven’t used yet - so I think I’ll use the EADG strings from the 5 set, which I think are just the 105-45, and use them on a 33” scale bass I have. Then take the left over B and pair it with the light set for a 5 string bass I just recently acquired. That’s the thought process at least.
 
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#4
Dan_reeves said:
That is kind of what I am thinking. I found out the single is a bit expensive, relatively. Cheaper to buy the 5 string set. I have a light set I haven’t used yet - so I think I’ll use the EADG strings from the 5 set, which I think are just the 105-45, and use them on a 33” scale bass I have. Then take the left over B and pair it with the light set for a 5 string bass I just recently acquired. That’s the thought process at least.
Click to expand...

Good thinking...

When I first got my 5-string Yamaha, I used the same thought process with GHS Pressurewounds. I didn't want the PW 5-string set (44-62-84-106-128) on it as I was using the ML7200 set (44-58-80-102) for the 4-string at the time. So, I took the 128B from the 5-string set and used it with ML7200 on my Yamaha, and then took the 44-106 and put them on my Jazz for DGCF tuning.
 
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#5
Dan_reeves said:
Hi all hope you had a nice weekend. Question for those who have used the 5 string set of P Flats before:

How’s the B string?

I use the light 4 string set and really like it and am well accustomed to their tone. I am debating whether to buy the regular 5 string set, or just add a B string + the light set that I love. Thoughts? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Where did you find the single B for sale?
 
#7
After reading great reports on the Precision Flats, I decided to give them a try and put them on both my G&L L-2500 and my semihollow Ibanez ABG-205 (yes, that’s a short scale bass but the bridge design makes it take standard long scale strings).

Overall, the strings do the thumpy, vintagey thing well. However, I find the B on both basses to be just a percussive thump with little articulation. If I only put them on one bass I might have thought it was just a bad B string and bought a single B to replace it. However, having the same experience on both basses makes me think that’s the nature of the strings.

FWIW, I have LaBella Deep Talkin’ Flats on my Precision V and they have a very similar character to the Precision Flats but i think the B string responds better. It’s still quite thumpy, but there’s more “note” there.

Not trying to talk you out of trying them, but just giving you my impression.
 
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#9
dave64o said:
After reading great reports on the Precision Flats, I decided to give them a try and put them on both my G&L L-2500 and my semihollow Ibanez ABG-205 (yes, that’s a short scale bass but the bridge design makes it take standard long scale strings).

Overall, the strings do the thumpy, vintagey thing well. However, I find the B on both basses to be just a percussive thump with little articulation. If I only put them on one bass I might have thought it was just a bad B string and bought a single B to replace it. However, having the same experience on both basses makes me think that’s the nature of the strings.

FWIW, I have LaBella Deep Talkin’ Flats on my Precision V and they have a very similar character to the Precision Flats but i think the B string responds better. It’s still quite thumpy, but there’s more “note” there.

Not trying to talk you out of trying them, but just giving you my impression.
Click to expand...

I agree, when I played it through my amp at home I also thought the PF B string didn’t sound the greatest - but it did sound better in our mix when I played it at church. I fit well with the keys especially.

Admittedly I did end up going back to rounds on that bass. I wouldn’t say that as a knock, just that I decided to go in a different direction.
 
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#10
If you can find a set, the Lakland Osborn Signature flats are a better five string set, in my opinion. Same formulation and same essential tone as the GHS P flats, but with a slight uptick in gauge. Whereas the P flats are 45-65-85-105-126, the Osborns are 45-65-85-106-128. Slight difference, but it's noticeable. A shame they were discontinued. Sets pop up in the Classifieds from time to time.
 
#11
the 126 b-sring is medium thickness it might not sit on the nut too well
the b is not great, but the b string is very playable, but you have to really give it some finger its fairly stiff, i have a low low tone and they work well for that
 
#13
fretlessguy said:
I will agree with Michael T on this one. I found the .45-.95 four string with the .126B to be very balanced in tension and sound volume. They should sell this set as a standard set.
Click to expand...

I tried it both ways and actually preferred the normal 5 string set to the light set + B. I felt like tonally it worked better.

That being said I did not like the B in either situation. I felt like it was much too dark for the bass I put it on, like way too dark even for flats. The bass is a passive Jazz, so I might have had a better experience with a preamp equipped bass.
 

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