GHS Precision Flats tension differences L and M

[Martelino]

Hello Basserinos,

I want to try GHS Precision flats on my Classic 60s Jazz Bass.
At the moment I have nicely broken in Fender flats L (45-100) on it but I want a bit more warm vintage tone, and from what I can hear GHS is the tone and feel I'm looking for.
Now for my jazz-neck I will choose between the L (45-95) and the M (45-105).
What would the perceived stiffness of these sets be? I would like to go for just a tad less stiff than the Fender L but certainly not TI-like-floppy.
Off course I have searched this forum, but couldn't find this specific difference.


I have tried LaBellas, Chromes and Roto77s, and they are not on my list.
So just the comparison GHS P flats L and M and Fender 9050L would be very helpfull.

Thank you!

 

[michael_t]

For a Jazz bass, I would go for the CM3050 set, 45-60-80-105, which is the best balanced set tension-wise and probably the closest to the Fender 9050L in overall tension and stiffness.

Here are the tension figures...

3025:

G 045 - 41.5 lbs.
D 060 - 46.5
A 075 - 38.5
E 095 - 36.7 (163.2)

CM3050:

G 045 - 41.5 lbs.
D 060 - 46.5
A 080 - 44.9
E 105 - 41.2 (174.1)

M3050:

G 045 - 41.5 lbs.
D 065 - 50.7
A 085 - 51.2
E 105 - 41.2 (184.6)

 

[Ricky Rioli]

the CM3050 set, 45-60-80-105 .... is probably the closest to the Fender 9050L in overall tension and stiffness .... 174.1 lbs

When I tried to guesstimate the total tension of the Fender 9050L, I arrived at a number very similar to that.

Do the GHS Precision Flats have the same comfortable flexibility as the Fenders?

 

[michael_t]

Do the GHS Precision Flats have the same comfortable flexibility as the Fenders?

Comfy without being floppy.

 

[booch29]

I find the 45-95 set perfect for jazz bass...still fat and warm, but with moderate light tension...an absolute joy!
For P bass i use the 45-105 for a decade now ( second set), also, perfection!
The p flats are the best strings out there imo..
Good luck

 

[SpyderX]

I have Fender 45-100 flats on one bass, and Precision 45-95 set on another. I've never consiously compared for tension, but the GHS do seem a hair lower. It's not night and day, imo, if that's what you're looking for.

 

[Martelino]

For a Jazz bass, I would go for the CM3050 set, 45-60-80-105, which is the best balanced set tension-wise and probably the closest to the Fender 9050L in overall tension and stiffness.

Thanks for your reply, I was hoping you would chime in on this one!

 

[Deleted member 271037]

The GHS 45-105 sets feel stiffer than Fender 45-100. The only flats I can think of that feel stiffer than GHS when comparing similar gauges are Roto 77s and D'Addario Chromes.

But if you didn't like LaBellas I have a feeling you might not be happy with the GHS flats either. They're not identical but they're both thumpy "old school" with more similarities than differences (assuming you were referring to the LaBella Deep Talkin' flats and not their low tension flats).

 

[2F/2F]

Since GHS doesn't make a .110" E, .105" is their heaviest one. Since I like my E string heavier and my D string lighter than what comes in most flat wound sets, but I'm limited to .105", that means I go lighter with my Precision Flats than I do with La Bellas or Rotosounds. I use the CM3050 set. They feel a little thin to me, and the A is a hair too loose, but it's the only way to get the E stiff enough in relation to the other strings for my liking.

These take some break in before they sound their best. You might find yourself adjusting your pickup periodically during the break in period (maybe a year or so).

They are old school flats, meaning that the E string is boomy compared to the others. But that's part of the tone.

 

[Egg250]

I use the 3025 set, (.40 - .95) light gauge. I primarily play rock. I find these strings on my ESP LTD B4E to be quite bright and suited for my style of playing. They are not floppy and certainly not too tense.

If you are looking for a warm sound, they might not be what you are looking for although I'm sure you could dial in a good tone.

 

[michael_t]

If you are looking for a warm sound, they might not be what you are looking for although I'm sure you could dial in a good tone.

Trust me when I say GHS Precision Flats are plenty warm and old-school compared to Fender 9050s.

 

[Yahboy]

You should try Labella LTF4A. Less tension than Ti flat in paper, but once she get settle in , she become stiffer than Ti flat. Overall stiffness are pretty close to nickel round wound 45-105 or DR sunbeam 45-105.

On my 3 current bass, LTF4A stiffness are in between Ti flat and EB 2814.

 

[Martelino]

Thank you all for your kind help!
It was a bit confusing at first because GHS has 3 sets so overlapping in gauges, and I hadn't seen that the CM is sort of in between the L and the M. But now I know what I want.
I am ordering a set of CM3050 and will report back once they're broken in (so in a year or so...).
Cheers!

 

[Deleted member 271037]

I use the 3025 set, (.40 - .95) light gauge. I primarily play rock. I find these strings on my ESP LTD B4E to be quite bright and suited for my style of playing. They are not floppy and certainly not too tense.

If you are looking for a warm sound, they might not be what you are looking for although I'm sure you could dial in a good tone.

I would say more or less the opposite: If you are looking for a warm sound they might be EXACTLY what you're looking for.

GHS flats are quite bright out of the box though, before they're broken in. They need a LOT of time (and playing!) before they mellow out and reach their signature tone. During this process they may also deliver a rather unbalanced tone across the strings. Once they're broken in you won't find a set of warmer/darker sounding strings anywhere. Even a set of broken in LaBella DTFs have slightly more mid presence/overtones than a set of broken in GHS flats. If anything the GHS flats are bordering on TOO warm/dark for my taste (and I generally prefer warm/mellow sounding strings).

The bass will matter too of course. The OP will be using them on a J-bass with a passive tone control, which can dial in a mellower/warmer tone than your active ESP. A passive tone control can (to some extent) compensate for the rather frustrating break-in period with these strings.

 

[Egg250]

I would say more or less the opposite: If you are looking for a warm sound they might be EXACTLY what you're looking for.

GHS flats are quite bright out of the box though, before they're broken in. They need a LOT of time (and playing!) before they mellow out and reach their signature tone. During this process they may also deliver a rather unbalanced tone across the strings. Once they're broken in you won't find a set of warmer/darker sounding strings anywhere. Even a set of broken in LaBella DTFs have slightly more mid presence/overtones than a set of broken in GHS flats. If anything the GHS flats are bordering on TOO warm/dark for my taste (and I generally prefer warm/mellow sounding strings).

The bass will matter too of course. The OP will be using them on a J-bass with a passive tone control, which can dial in a mellower/warmer tone than your active ESP. A passive tone control can (to some extent) compensate for the rather frustrating break-in period with these strings.

I am unusual, for a bassist. When the strings go dead, it's time to replace them. This occurs for me around 6 - 9 months.

 

[Martelino]

Mmmm, so the 3050CM aren't available here in Holland, or any store in Europe atm, and having them shipped from the US costs a lot, so I would have to wait for a shipment to the import company.
But my local string shop advised me that I can also make a custom set of Ernie Ball Stainless Flats (used in the Group sets). They have single strings in all gauges so I can compile a set of 45-60-80-105. He said they are close to GHS Precisions, just a tiny bit more "modern", but def warmer and more vintage than the Fender 9050L.
What to do? Try these or wait till the GHS come in (could take 2-3 months)?

 

[michael_t]

my local string shop advised me that I can also make a custom set of Ernie Ball Stainless Flats (used in the Group sets). They have single strings in all gauges so I can compile a set of 45-60-80-105. He said they are close to GHS Precisions, just a tiny bit more "modern", but def warmer and more vintage than the Fender 9050L.

I have Ernie Ball Group IV Flats (40-95) on my P bass right now, and I can tell you they're closer to Fender 9050s than to GHS P Flats in their tonal character. In fact, if you're looking for "warm vintage tone" as you indicated in your original post, I would think twice about the Ernie Ball as they are almost too close to the Fender.

That said, I'm really enjoying the Ernie Ball for their smooth but clear midrange character.

 

[Martelino]

I have Ernie Ball Group IV Flats (40-95) on my P bass right now, and I can tell you they're closer to Fender 9050s than to GHS P Flats in their tonal character. In fact, if you're looking for "warm vintage tone" as you indicated in your original post, I would think twice about the Ernie Ball as they are almost too close to the Fender.

That said, I'm really enjoying the Ernie Ball for their smooth but clear midrange character.

That's good to know, and yes I am looking for a bit warmer tone than the Fender 9050s. It was just that after my string-guy (Lord of the Strings, check them if ever you are in Holland) said he could help me make my own set EBs.
He also pointed me to this recent video with a great comparison between LaBellas, GHS and Ernie Ball, and I quite like the EB sound, but of course these strings aren't broken in. Speaking of which, how did you find the EBs broke in and is there a change in sound and do you think they will last some time?

Here's the video, the bassplayer is from Holland too:

 

[michael_t]

Mmmm, so the 3050CM aren't available here in Holland, or any store in Europe atm, and having them shipped from the US costs a lot, so I would have to wait for a shipment to the import company.

If I had to choose between M3050 (45-65-85-105) and 3025 (45-60-75-95), I would definitely go with the 3025. They're slightly lighter in tension/stiffness than the Fender 9050L but far from being loose and floppy. In fact, I really liked the 95E on my P bass for its focused punch and excellent note definition without sounding muddy.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

having them shipped from the US costs a lot

I don't what it's like in your country but for me in the UK, strings like Daddario and GHS are cheaper bought in the US and sent in the mail, despite the cost of shipping.

For example, Greg at @RocketMusic has the CM3050 in stock, is well-versed in sending to Europe, and in his latest monthly email has 15% discount code for GHS strings