I like Stingrays, and I like flats..... I currently have EBMM basses with LaBella 760 FLs, TI's, DR Legends, and Chromes. I just got a set of GHS Precision flats to try out. at least I do not think I have tried them before. Just curious as to what you all think who have tried this string/bass combo?
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GHS Precision Flats on your Stingray? Opinions?
- Thread starter armybass
- Start date
I thought that all flats I tried, and I almost only play flats, were kind of not really fitting with the Stingray tone, at least not of my instrument, with active electronics and a maple board. The only thing that's been really nice on it has been balanced rounds, like Fodera nickels, Dunlop Nickels or TI superalloys. The LaBella Deep talking rounds were really sweet too for a great deep aggresive tone, but man I want to be able to play the bass too!
The ones I liked the most were TIs (not really doing it for me on that bass) and Fender CL flats (recorded beautifully but a bit hard to play despite good set-up), and both of them were kinda... strangling the sound of the bass, not matching somehow.
LaBellas worked but really worked against the Stingray inherent tone a lot IMO, and the GHS 35-95 I had on it were the same but a lot more choke-y on the tone.
The GHS flats to my ears, on all the basses I've tried them on, and despite the different gauges I've tried, have always had too much of the highs and clank of fender flats but with a different voice, and not enough of the deep, thuddy, woody sound that LaBella gives too my ears. I have yet to find a bass that they truly fit on, where their tonal attributes really shine and where another string would not have been more appropriate for the sound I'm looking for in that moment on that particuliar bass.
If I were you I'd try some new Cobalt flats, or the new Dunlop flats! I haven't tried those on my ray though, I imagine they would fit nicely. When I get my Sadowsky Blue Label 40-100 I might leave them on my ray for a while just to check how they fit.
Just my 2 cents, and we don't even use that currency!
The ones I liked the most were TIs (not really doing it for me on that bass) and Fender CL flats (recorded beautifully but a bit hard to play despite good set-up), and both of them were kinda... strangling the sound of the bass, not matching somehow.
LaBellas worked but really worked against the Stingray inherent tone a lot IMO, and the GHS 35-95 I had on it were the same but a lot more choke-y on the tone.
The GHS flats to my ears, on all the basses I've tried them on, and despite the different gauges I've tried, have always had too much of the highs and clank of fender flats but with a different voice, and not enough of the deep, thuddy, woody sound that LaBella gives too my ears. I have yet to find a bass that they truly fit on, where their tonal attributes really shine and where another string would not have been more appropriate for the sound I'm looking for in that moment on that particuliar bass.
If I were you I'd try some new Cobalt flats, or the new Dunlop flats! I haven't tried those on my ray though, I imagine they would fit nicely. When I get my Sadowsky Blue Label 40-100 I might leave them on my ray for a while just to check how they fit.
Just my 2 cents, and we don't even use that currency!
I play GHS Precision flats on both my EBMM Sterlings and love them. They tone down the agressiveness and sound great.
Good question and one I thought about as well. I don't slap so rounds just sound way too bright and the finger noise is so present with them. I tried Fenders and thought they sounded pretty good. Currently I have some Cobalts but am not not sure since I only played it once since then. For me, they do give it a thicker and much better sound than rounds. (If interested, let me know and I could sell you this new set reasonably if you want to give them a try.) Might have to try the GHS PFs to see for myself. If you get a set, please let us know what you think.
Well I guess the point is moot. When I was installing the GHS the G string would not tune up. Silk kept coming off the string where it contacted the post and it looked like a piece of the wrap had broken. The other three were perfect. Unfortunately I don't really give strings a second chance when they fail on me. So a new set of Sun Beams went on my Ray and I will scratch GHS off my list. I sent them an email. If they replace the strings I'll try em. If not. Oh well.
- Sep 9, 2007
- 5,309
- 4,977
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Eventide, GHS Strings, G&L Guitars, NS Design, Tsunami Cables
- Sep 9, 2007
- 5,309
- 4,977
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Eventide, GHS Strings, G&L Guitars, NS Design, Tsunami Cables
- Sep 9, 2007
- 5,309
- 4,977
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Eventide, GHS Strings, G&L Guitars, NS Design, Tsunami Cables
Bringin' this one back to life........Last night I replaced my trusty round core Boomers on my SR5 with GHS Precision flats. Lite gauge set with the .127 B string that I ordered separately. I am really pleased how they perform on my SR5, the action is low and I set my relief @ .010", with nary a buzz. The feel is somewhat supple and not floppy at all. Plenty of low end and very clear sounding, I still can hear that MM snarl even with the reduced "zing".
Reviving this thread once more.. After coming from Rotosound Flats, EB Cobalt Flats, and recently TIs on a StingRay, the Precision Flats have been on my list for a long time now. So I finally purchased the 45-95 set and this is exactly how a StingRay tone sounded like in my head! I almost thought Tis were it but I knew I had to try GHS first before I committed to TIs.
As mentioned above, I can still hear zing, snarl and bite when I slap! Definitely consider the Precision Flats if anyone ever comes across this thread with a curious mind!!
As mentioned above, I can still hear zing, snarl and bite when I slap! Definitely consider the Precision Flats if anyone ever comes across this thread with a curious mind!!
- Oct 22, 2015
- 21,167
- 257,004
- Disclosures
- I am an affiliate for Ari Cap.
Always considered flats on a 'Ray to be apostasy ... and then I put EB Group IV flats on my '79. I may be going to hell in a bucket, but at least I'm enjoying the ride!
I came to TB tonight to look for flats I can put on my newly acquired (01/28/22) Sterling by Music Man Stingray sub series. I played a 4 hour gig this past Saturday night (01/29/22) with some type of used rounds I threw on it, because I broke the new A string on the bass by hanging a winding step-down on the string tree. I think what I put on it was Dunlop super brights, which sounded pretty good for normal fingerstyle playing, but we’re a little harsh for slap.
I had planned to order the EB Cobalt flats, but your post convinced me to try the GHS PFs. It does seem like the EB strings would go on an EB (design) bass, but the only EB Cobalt set I’ve tried tended to rust if left un-played several days.
I don't have rust issues whenever I leave EB Cobalts on my basses, I would recommend cleaning them with GHS Fast Fret
And as for the GHS PF, they sound really good on the Sterling. I am very pleased to get that period correct sound of 70s Disco/Funk
While I do use GHS Precision Flats on a couple of basses, and I do have an EBMM 4HH Stingray Special, I don't have those strings on that bass. They're on my '78 Fender P-Bass; a Warmoth short scale Mini-Precision; and an Eastwood Flying V clone of the Gibson Flying V. The reason why is that I want a really vintage sound from these basses, and the GHS Precisions are as close as I can come to the original Squire Flats that Fender used to use. It's no coincidence that GHS is the initials of 3 guys who used to work for Squire...
So, what do I have on my Stingray Special? I'm using - and liking - a set of Galli JF4505 Jazz Flats. Other than being by far the smoothest flats I've ever played (and I've played a lot of them), IMO they actually don't sound too far off the Precisions. Not quite as much bottom end (and the Precisions aren't the low end champs, anyway), but a little more low-mids, mids, and a little better high end. Which is better for what I use my Stingray Spl. for, but... TBH? I think I'd be pretty happy with the GHS Precisions if I had to use them. They are very nice flats, indeed...
So, what do I have on my Stingray Special? I'm using - and liking - a set of Galli JF4505 Jazz Flats. Other than being by far the smoothest flats I've ever played (and I've played a lot of them), IMO they actually don't sound too far off the Precisions. Not quite as much bottom end (and the Precisions aren't the low end champs, anyway), but a little more low-mids, mids, and a little better high end. Which is better for what I use my Stingray Spl. for, but... TBH? I think I'd be pretty happy with the GHS Precisions if I had to use them. They are very nice flats, indeed...
