GHS Restring Poll

[Linnin]

I voted for the round core boomers and I would use the medium light set which is 45-65-80-100 at 172.1 lbs.
Now if they only made a set with 45-60-80-105...that would be nicely balanced tension wise!
If I were to use the balanced nickels,I like the medium set 44-60-80-106 at 184 lbs.
On second thought maybe the nickels...I like the string gauges better!

See? It's not as easy as you might think! There's no looser as both sets are clear winners each in their own way. You can't make a wrong choice. I could play eanie meanie minie moe … hmmmm

 

[RyanOh]

There is an obvious answer, surprised it hasn't been suggested already.

Buy three basses so you have every string option within reach at all times.

 

[Linnin]

There is an obvious answer, surprised it hasn't been suggested already. Buy three basses so you have every string option within reach at all times.

I have that. Two Fender Precisions and one Fender Jazz. All left handed. All made in USA.

 

[matante]

Why are you limiting yourself to GHS?

 

[moreblues]

LOL...Yeah that's what I meant. Should have put on my reading glasses...Now I like that set even better with 10 lbs. of less tension!

 

[trothwell]

I don't think I'm going to get any marketing accolades with "The Sound Of Pumpernickel".

I immensely like both Balanced Nickels and pumpernickel bread, so you have my vote!

 

[Linnin]

I immensely like both Balanced Nickels and pumpernickel bread, so you have my vote!

Me too!

 

[bhendrix]

I just tried GHS Pressurewounds on my jazz. Took em right back off again. They're for sale now in the TB classifieds.

I went back to precision flats for now.

What is it you didn't like about the PWs?

 

[dan1952]

I used to use Brite Flats back in the 70's.Liked 'em then because they didn't eat frets. I've only used Chromes for the last 10 or 12 years.

 

[tpaul]

What is it you didn't like about the PWs?

I was expecting something closer to flats. Instead they were zingy and bright, and sort of scooped sounding. Not my cup of tea.

 

[smiked1]

It sounds like you should try Ernie Ball Slinky Flatwound Cobalts. They'll do exactly what you want. The lower tension is nice, even thought I like high tension, and they feel balanced in 100's.

If it has to be GHS, just go full roundwound tone with Super Steels. Steel strings are way underrated, and not in fashion right now. If they sound to glassy to you, it will wear off in few days. Just roll the tone off a bit. They have better midrange growl, and consistent low end. I think they sound better much longer than nickels. They corrode more quickly and lose high end, but the rest of the range stays intact, which is most important. Nickel strings have a very short window for their tonal sweet spot, then they go down hill fast.

 

[sheltjo6]

I chose balanced nickels because pressure wounds were not a choice.

 

[michael_t]

I was expecting something closer to flats. Instead they were zingy and bright, and sort of scooped sounding. Not my cup of tea.

If you expect a flatwound tone and feel from PWs, of course you're disappointed. The Brite Flats would be much closer to flats both in tone and feel than PWs.

Now that I've been spoiled by the tone and feel of the Precision Flats on my P, it will take me some time for re-adjusting when I put the PWs back on it.

 

[cnltb]

I need to restring my 2012 Fender American Standard Jazz Bass with stock Custom Shop pickups. No, I don't want to put on another set of Pressurewounds, or hex core Bass Boomers. I had thought roundcore Bass Boomers (which I love on this bass) would be the set of choice especially now that they are being manufactured with the same construction techniques as Balanced Nickels.

Balanced Nickels are my stringset of choice for my 2017 Fender American Professional Precision. Love the dark smooth tonality. Blessedly clankless. Never thought I would consider a set for my jazz, but now I am.

For the shocker: Brite Flats. I never even considered them before I recently learned that Leo Fender had ordered ground wound strings from GHS for his brand new invention, the Music Man Stingray. Not sure who invented these. Leo Fender? Someone at GHS? D'Addario? Don't know. I do know I tried a set of D'Addario Half Rounds around 1980 or so, and hated them. That was then, and this is now. Brite Flats are different, and so am I.

Might you be overthinking the whole thing just a tadd?

 

[Phalex]

I love brite flats, but I’m not going to recommend them.

Right out of the box they feel really funny, and they don’t really sound their best.

Put 100 hours of playing time into them, and I never want to take them off, but yeah.... stick with the nickels

 

[LanEvo]

I really liked round-core Boomers on my ‘66 Jazz.

 

[Gigglingbuns]

I need to restring my 2012 Fender American Standard Jazz Bass with stock Custom Shop pickups. No, I don't want to put on another set of Pressurewounds, or hex core Bass Boomers. I had thought roundcore Bass Boomers (which I love on this bass) would be the set of choice especially now that they are being manufactured with the same construction techniques as Balanced Nickels.

Balanced Nickels are my stringset of choice for my 2017 Fender American Professional Precision. Love the dark smooth tonality. Blessedly clankless. Never thought I would consider a set for my jazz, but now I am.

For the shocker: Brite Flats. I never even considered them before I recently learned that Leo Fender had ordered ground wound strings from GHS for his brand new invention, the Music Man Stingray. Not sure who invented these. Leo Fender? Someone at GHS? D'Addario? Don't know. I do know I tried a set of D'Addario Half Rounds around 1980 or so, and hated them. That was then, and this is now. Brite Flats are different, and so am I.

Contact core super steels

 

[michael_t]

Right out of the box they feel really funny, and they don’t really sound their best.

Put 100 hours of playing time into them, and I never want to take them off...

"Funny" as in sticky - something that took me off guard when I put them on my J for the first time last summer, especially after spending a couple of months with the Precision Flats on my P. They did feel a lot smoother by the third week, though.

I realize I gave up on them way too soon the first time (3 wks/10 hrs), so I'm willing to give them a little more time to settle this time around.

 

[trothwell]

Might you be overthinking the whole thing just a tadd?

If there is one thing in this world that cannot be overthought, it is electric bass string selection.

 

[Linnin]

All Righty Then! 'The Sound of Pumpernickel' it is! I decided to go with the light GHS 4L-NB set for my American Standard jazz. I want the more mellow sound of Balanced Nickels. Not a fan of light gauge strings, but went with them anyway for the shallow & narrow jazz neck. Ordered a set 4M-NB for my American Professional Precision. They don't need to be changed yet, but they're on a good sale from JustStrings with a single reasonable shipping charge. Last but not least a set of custom gauge CM3050 Precision Flats for my '76 Precision. If I don't keep Precision Flats on that bass @nerkoids will have a total meltdown. Thanks one & all that participated in good faith. Your votes and comments were well appreciated.
Fender & GHS Forever!