• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

GHS Pressurewounds compared to Round core Boomers tone-wise

#2
dagrev said:
Just wondering how these sound differently from each other. I know the difference in construction but haven't found the two compared.

I know the sound clips from several posts in the link below, but was wondering if anyone has tried both and had some thoughts.
GHS Roundcore Boomers! Finally!

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Great question, @dagrev. I just put on a set of GHS Round Core Bass Boomers to replace a set of nearly dead GHS Pressurewounds. I'll be posting a fresh review and will do my best to include a three way RoundCore Boomers vs HexCore Boomers vs Pressurewounds comparison.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PBandJazzBass, BOOG, JulienP. and 3 others
#3
Linnin said:
Great question, @dagrev. I just put on a set of GHS Round Core Bass Boomers to replace a set of nearly dead GHS Pressurewounds. I'll be posting a fresh review and will do my best to include a three way RoundCore Boomers vs HexCore Boomers vs Pressurewounds comparison.
Click to expand...

Oh... the suspense and anticipation! This is almost as good as waiting for the release of the next iPhone! :D
 
  • Like
Reactions: Linnin
#4
I had forgotten about this thread! I've bought some since then, but would still like your impressions to see if my ears are on track or I'm missing something.

I haven't tried to sit down at one time and A/B/C them but I'll give my non-indepth thoughts.

Regular Boomers- Deep but not hollow, with some good lower mids and some pleasant, not zingy highs.

Pressure Wounds- Very similar to Reg Boomers but possibly slightly less lows (but not much), a little more mid-mids, less highs in the finger noise area (which is really nice). Great punch and nice for about anything but maybe slap, but they aren't dead so you certainly could and it would work.

Round Core- More like boomers in that they're deep, seem to have a less mids and zingy highs. These helped a '71 Jazz I have to have a little less thin zing and be more full bodied in some respects.

Not real technical for sure. I like all of them, and each have their place. I lean toward the Boomers or pressure wounds depending on the mood I'm in i guess. I also like the price!
 
  • Like
Reactions: BOOG, Arthur U. Poon, JulienP. and 3 others
#5
I know this is an old thread, but I am considering both round core Boomers and Pressure wound for my next set on my active jazz bass. Does anyone else have any thoughts on how these two compare as far as sound and feel? Does one set have more low/low mid punch than the other? Thanks in advance.
 
#6
JamAdd85 said:
I know this is an old thread, but I am considering both round core Boomers and Pressure wound for my next set on my active jazz bass. Does anyone else have any thoughts on how these two compare as far as sound and feel? Does one set have more low/low mid punch than the other? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Round Core Boomers = Fuller and warmer bottom with smooth mids and non-zingy but clear top end. Supple without being floppy.

Pressurewouds = Tight, punchy lows with crunchy mids. A little more "forward" in their character due to the extra responsive nature of Alloy 52. Stiffer feel due to the hex core.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JamAdd85 and dagrev
#7
JamAdd85 said:
I know this is an old thread, but I am considering both round core Boomers and Pressure wound for my next set on my active jazz bass. Does anyone else have any thoughts on how these two compare as far as sound and feel? Does one set have more low/low mid punch than the other? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Haven't tried the regular (hex) boomers, but agree with dagrev's above comparison of RC boomers vs PW. As for sound, I'd say they are more similar than different; the PW may have more of that low mid punch your looking for, with a unique growl, one of the best sounding strings I've ever tried. The RC Boomers have a great punch too, just a little more zing (but not a ton) maybe one step closer to a typical round wound...

The greater difference is in the feel. The PWs are a good bit stiffer, with a unique finger feel; despite the great sound I couldn't make these a regular string for me. The RC boomers were much more flexible and light, closer to DR pure blues (one of my current faves).
 
  • Like
Reactions: JamAdd85 and dagrev
#9
michael_t, CallMeAl Thanks for your responses, they are helpful. I definitely am leaning more on the lighter side of things the last few years as well, and I like strings that don't feel too stiff. But I also would like to keep as much low end heft as I can without having to boost a lot on my bass or amp. I have used the hex core Boomer set 40-55-75-95 on my Ibanez and love them on that bass, but on the Jazz I would like something different. Thanks again for your input.

I'll probably end up trying them both. :)
 
#11
Thought I would share what I have found. I put a set of Pressurewound 40-96 on my active Jazz bass. I like them a lot. I find they are smooth feeling and with the lighter gauge they are not too stiff. For me they're very comfortable to play. They have a decent amount of high end, more than I expected, but I don't have a lot of play time on them so I'm not sure how long that will last. The lows are solid, and they have a unique midrange attack that I don't hear in other strings. They are a nice change of pace from the sets on my other basses.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dagrev, CallMeAl and michael_t
#12
JamAdd85 said:
Thought I would share what I have found. I put a set of Pressurewound 40-96 on my active Jazz bass. I like them a lot. I find they are smooth feeling and with the lighter gauge they are not too stiff. For me they're very comfortable to play. They have a decent amount of high end, more than I expected, but I don't have a lot of play time on them so I'm not sure how long that will last. The lows are solid, and they have a unique midrange attack that I don't hear in other strings. They are a nice change of pace from the sets on my other basses.
Click to expand...
Great! They aren't for every bass, but could be! I have them on a couple that I never consider trying other strings on. Just a perfect match. If there were only one string I had to use, I'm pretty sure it would be the PWs. Just a great option. Hope they serve you well!
 
  • Like
Reactions: michael_t
#13
dagrev said:
They aren't for every bass, but could be! I have them on a couple that I never consider trying other strings on. Just a perfect match. If there were only one string I had to use, I'm pretty sure it would be the PWs.
Click to expand...

As of right now, all three of my basses are wearing PWs. Every so often I get an itch to "try something else just to see", but always end up coming home to PWs eventually. They're my "home sweet home". ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: RumbleBot and dagrev
#14
michael_t said:
As of right now, all three of my basses are wearing PWs. Every so often I get an itch to "try something else just to see", but always end up coming home to PWs eventually. They're my "home sweet home". ;)
Click to expand...
I really like the old Progressives, which seem to me to be the round core version (being made with the same Alloy52). To me they are just a brighter version and are great if the PWs are a tad too dark. But I don't find the Progressives to be bright like Rotos or other SS strings by any means. I hope GHS reintroduces them.
 
#17
dagrev said:
I thought I read on TB that GHS was looking to bring them back. Did I imagine this? Just wishful thinking?
Click to expand...

Progressives 2.0 were supposed to be introduced in the spring of 2020. Then the pandemic happened and everything got sidelined. We're still hopeful it will happen eventually but it's anybody's guess at this point as to when.

Fingers Crossed.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: dagrev

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back