GHS Precision Flats - weak E string?

[JustForSport]

he uses our flats regularly, but only when they're NEW,

Great Attn to customer feedback!
Not everyone has the time or patience to play a single bass for 6 months just to see if maybe the set will eventually balance tonally.
I've tried several flats sets and either the B or the E and B were so far from being with the rest of the set, I just handed them off to someone else and installed different strings 'til I found some that worked.
An indication 'straight out-of-the-box' as to whether they will (or are designed to) balance is a huge improvement IMO.

 

[svtb15]

Wow.. That is incredible customer service.. its nice to see that these days.

It WAS a fairly common thing that the E string would sound "dead" and/or "thuddy" compared to everything else, until you played them in for a couple weeks.

I spent the last month or so revamping the spec, making samples and sending them out for feedback. Just approved the change today into production.

Shoot me a PM with your mailing address and I'll be happy to get you one of the "new" E strings; they'll be commercially available within a month or two.

 

[Root 5]

Would be great if Pyramid and LaBella would do the same. The bright flat brands seem to have an even tone whereas all of the thumpy flat brands seem to have some variant of this issue. Combine it with the "backwards" offset of a standard P bass pickup and it's enough to drive a guy nuts.

They even out with some time; they're like fine vintage ports - you gotta let them age for a while before you reap their full tonal deliciousness.

 

[brotondo]

My E definitely lost its zing compared to the rest, but the set lasted since 2008, so I'll let it slide. Though I'd recommend precision flatwounds to anyone, I think next set will be something different. We'll see what's in the bargain bin.

 

[jmlee]

The twist problem noted is absolutely correct and I've personally breathed new life into a GHS Precision Flat E string by relieving the undesired mounting torsion as described.

 

[Jon Moody]

My E definitely lost its zing compared to the rest, but the set lasted since 2008, so I'll let it slide. Though I'd recommend precision flatwounds to anyone, I think next set will be something different. We'll see what's in the bargain bin.

Having tried a bunch recently, give the Fender Flats a go. I really enjoyed them.

 

[Linnin]

Love my GHS Precision Flats.

It is a beautiful thing!

 

[Batmensch]

After about 4 or 5 sets over the last 6 years, I have never run into this problem with the GHS Pre flats.

 

[Rycebag]

I had a one year old set and had some work done on my bass two days ago and switched to thomastik infeld to try something new. I forgot to tell the tech to save those strings. I was going to save that set cause they were well broken in and sounded awesome. pretty even across to me.

 

[Yahboy]

How the packaging of the GHS Precision Flatwound (with the NEW formula E string) look like ?
Like this one?

 

[brotondo]

Well, you all got me thinking flats(again) got a new 5er needing a set up,went out to local music store yesterday, they had a set of GFS custom sized flats, didn't say precision, really plain packaging. 45 to 126.
So run back drop bass off at tech, he pulls B string out and says they are too long. I guess the set is long scale +, and can't wrap <1" of a wound B around an M4, so go all the way back to the store and exchange for a pricey set of E.Ball cobalt flats, so we'll see. So I tried , I love Ghs, being Michigan company and all. But beware of the long scale+ they could easily be way too long.

 

[Root 5]

Having tried a bunch recently, give the Fender Flats a go. I really enjoyed them.

I was pleasantly surprised by them too! However, that's not to say they're replacing my GHS flats - just that the Fender flats are nice.

 

[darwin-bass]

G&L LB-100 with the above strings. They're about 3 months old. The A, D and G strings all sound great. They are full with a good clear midrange growl but the E string sounds like a dull thud in contrast. I've noticed it both at home during practice through a hi-fi rig (not lacking in lows at all) and through the GB Shuttle 3.0 with a 2x10 cab.

I've adjusted the pickups to equalize the volume so what I'm hearing is really a tone difference.

Is this common with GHS Precision flats, all flats or do I have a bad string?

It WAS a fairly common thing that the E string would sound "dead" and/or "thuddy" compared to everything else, until you played them in for a couple weeks.

I spent the last month or so revamping the spec, making samples and sending them out for feedback. Just approved the change today into production.

Shoot me a PM with your mailing address and I'll be happy to get you one of the "new" E strings; they'll be commercially available within a month or two.

UPDATE - The new (early production?) string arrived and I wasted no time in changing out E strings. The old set is about 3 months old. Low E never really sounded like it was part of the set. I could hear the difference both through the amp and acoustically. This new string is MUCH better. Acoustically all 4 strings have the same timbre now. Through the amp the low E string may be just a tad brighter than the others but that is likely to settle out over time as the new string breaks in. With the new string, the notes on the low E string ring clear and clean with a great midrange flat wound growl; just like the other 3 strings on my G&L LB-100.

Thank you Jon and GHS!

 

[Jon Moody]

How the packaging of the GHS Precision Flatwound (with the NEW formula E string) look like ?
Like this one?

View attachment 679970

For the time being, yes.

So run back drop bass off at tech, he pulls B string out and says they are too long. I guess the set is long scale +, and can't wrap <1" of a wound B around an M4, so go all the way back to the store and exchange for a pricey set of E.Ball cobalt flats, so we'll see. So I tried , I love Ghs, being Michigan company and all. But beware of the long scale+ they could easily be way too long.

We have TWO different sets of the 5 string Precision Flats; the M3050-5 and M3050XL-5 (both of which are - at present - in Custom Shop packaging). The only difference is that the B string has a winding length of 36.5" on the one set, and 38" on the XL set, which judging from your comment is the set you have. This is a giant point of confusion for many players and dealers, as I'm explaining this fairly regularly (and sending out the correct B strings to make sure we get them taken care of).

 

[AndyII]

This is an interesting thread for two reasons. First, the overall impression of GHS Precision Flatwounds, and second, the general viability of the E string.

So, my observations:
1. I love my GHS precision flatwounds. I tried Chromes, and really didn't like them on a P Bass (ash body, rosewood fret board, Kent Armstrong pups, vintage bridge). I swapped in the GHS set, and I love them....but....

2. I have never had a problem with the E string. However, my G string seems overall taut, and sort "twangy."

If I could stick to the E, A, and D, these would be the ultimate strings. The G is annoying....

Thoughts?

 

[ZenG]

Be careful if you're buying them for a shortscale......

They won't work on a Bronco or Mikro......the thick part of the E-string is too long and overlaps the tuning post.

 

[Jon Moody]

This is an interesting thread for two reasons. First, the overall impression of GHS Precision Flatwounds, and second, the general viability of the E string.

So, my observations:
1. I love my GHS precision flatwounds. I tried Chromes, and really didn't like them on a P Bass (ash body, rosewood fret board, Kent Armstrong pups, vintage bridge). I swapped in the GHS set, and I love them....but....

2. I have never had a problem with the E string. However, my G string seems overall taut, and sort "twangy."

If I could stick to the E, A, and D, these would be the ultimate strings. The G is annoying....

Thoughts?

If you can tell me what set you're referring to, that might help. The large majority of E string complaints have been with the M3050 set (45-105), but given your comments, are you using the 3050 set (55-105)?

Be careful if you're buying them for a shortscale......

They won't work on a Bronco or Mikro......the thick part of the E-string is too long and overlaps the tuning post.

Especially on something like the Mikro (that has a 28.6" scale), knowing the winding length of the string is vital.

 

[moreblues]

one of my favorites too. i order them in single strings 45-60-80-105