GHS Round Core Bass Boomers fans question

[T McClure]

I recently bought a Mustang that appears to have the GHS Round Core Bass Boomers on it. I have no idea how old or how played the strings are.

I've pretty much exclusively used D'Addario Chromes for rounds in the past. I love how they sound after a few days of playing where they settle in and maintain their worn in tone for a very long time. I change them once or twice a year but never really know why I do because they seem to always settle in to the one sound forever.

Are the GHS RC boomers pretty similar? I mainly ask because I like the sound I'm getting from the strings I know little about but wasn't sure how their aging curve runs in comparison to the Chromes.

 

[smatanovic]

That sounds about right.

 

[Michael ONeill]

I purchased a nice Ibanez headless Bass about a year ago and was thinking I might just put some new stings on it.
Anyone have any preferences for strings on headless basses, or tips for restringing one?

 

[Rocket Queen]

I recently bought a Mustang that appears to have the GHS Round Core Bass Boomers on it. I have no idea how old or how played the strings are.

I've pretty much exclusively used D'Addario Chromes for rounds in the past. I love how they sound after a few days of playing where they settle in and maintain their worn in tone for a very long time. I change them once or twice a year but never really know why I do because they seem to always settle in to the one sound forever.

Are the GHS RC boomers pretty similar? I mainly ask because I like the sound I'm getting from the strings I know little about but wasn't sure how their aging curve runs in comparison to the Chromes.

? Aren't Chromes flats?

 

[T McClure]

? Aren't Chromes flats?

Yes. Sorry. I mean Nickels. Got my metals mixed up.

 

[michael_t]

Are the GHS RC boomers pretty similar? I mainly ask because I like the sound I'm getting from the strings I know little about but wasn't sure how their aging curve runs in comparison to the Chromes.

Yes. Sorry. I mean Nickels. Got my metals mixed up.

So, just to clarify... We're talking about D'A XL Nickels vs. GHS Round Core Boomers, right?

Very different tonal character as well as overall feel. The RCB have a warmer and fuller low-mid with smoother top end while the XLN are brighter with a bit more of the hi-mid edge. In terms of longevity, I once had the RCB on on one of my J's for 8 mth and they were still sounding good when I took them off. I probably could have gone another couple of months with them.

 

[michael_t]

I recently bought a Mustang that appears to have the GHS Round Core Bass Boomers on it...

Just curious... How do you know they're in fact Round Core Boomers, and not the regular Boomers?

 

[T McClure]

Just curious... How do you know they're in fact Round Core Boomers, and not the regular Boomers?

I don’t really have any way to know.

 

[MCS4]

I don't specifically recall using the Round Core Boomers, but the regular Boomers have been my main string for decades and for me they perform exactly how you describe: They have an initial "fresh string" sound that settles down pretty quickly but after that they settle in and sound great for a good long while.

However, I think this is question that may answer itself, since you have already stated that you bought a bass that has these strings on them and they sound good to you regardless of how old they might be, and presumably you'll keep playing them until you don't think they sound good anymore. At that point you'll have your own info on how long this line of strings might last for you even after they have been played by someone else for an indeterminate amount of time.

 

[logdrum]

I don’t really have any way to know.

If you have a magnifying glass - look at the end of the string cross section or also use the macro feature on a modern phone and blow up the pic

 

[T McClure]

I don't specifically recall using the Round Core Boomers, but the regular Boomers have been my main string for decades and for me they perform exactly how you describe: They have an initial "fresh string" sound that settles down pretty quickly but after that they settle in and sound great for a good long while.

However, I think this is question that may answer itself, since you have already stated that you bought a bass that has these strings on them and they sound good to you regardless of how old they might be, and presumably you'll keep playing them until you don't think they sound good anymore. At that point you'll have your own info on how long this line of strings might last for you even after they have been played by someone else for an indeterminate amount of time.

And that's all very true. The only GHS I've played before were pressure wounds, and they're pretty neat. I guess I was more asking for when it comes time to change strings. I'm glad to hear the GHSs also have a long life.

 

[michael_t]

I don’t really have any way to know.

The Round Core Boomers only come in "long scale" and have red silk. If they're on a Mustang, some of the full winding on the E would wrap around the tuner post. Is that the case? Can you provide a pic of the strings at the headstock?

 

[T McClure]

The Round Core Boomers only come in "long scale" and have red silk. If they're on a Mustang, some of the full winding on the E would wrap around the tuner post. Is that the case? Can you provide a pic of the strings at the headstock?

Ah, that's a great point. I think you figured it out! This is why I like asking questions here. Someone is going to know.

 

[mrjim123]

I purchased a nice Ibanez headless Bass about a year ago and was thinking I might just put some new stings on it.
Anyone have any preferences for strings on headless basses, or tips for restringing one?

This is in NO WAY related to the original post.

 

[michael_t]

Ah, that's a great point. I think you figured it out! This is why I like asking questions here. Someone is going to know.

View attachment 7348469

Those silked ends DO look like the Boomers I know. There is nothing to indicate they can't be Round Core Boomers.

 

[emjazz]

I have round core boomers on my fretless. At first I was put off by how quickly they “died” and lost their sheen. Jon Moody (when he was still at GHS) told me that because of the design they definitely are darker rounds. I don’t frequently use that bass (I was using it to sub on a Broadway show)…and somehow whenever I pick up that bass to use it, it sounds perfect as it is. Haven’t taken that set off in maybe three or more years. I love the lighter tension, and I’ve become quite enamored with the broken in sound. Wonderful strings.

 

[T McClure]

Those silked ends DO look like the Boomers I know. There is nothing to indicate they can't be Round Core Boomers.

Yeah, it's just a best guess. Thanks for your insight.

 

[Ggaa]

I Use DA XL nickel but tried RCBs on an identical backup bass. They're great strings and have a good feel but darker than the Dadds, just not my tone.

 

[J Wilson]

I've used Boomers since the 70's and they are as consistent as can be, they sound, feel, and last EXACTLY the same today as when I first used them in 1977.

I've never had a bad one, and I'd agree that after the initial new wears off, they settle into a warm tone that probably lasts as long or a little longer than most. And they make them in a huge list of scale length and gages.

As dependable as the sun coming up tomorrow.

 

[smatanovic]

I've used Boomers since the 70's and they are as consistent as can be, they sound, feel, and last EXACTLY the same today as when I first used them in 1977.

I've never had a bad one, and I'd agree that after the initial new wears off, they settle into a warm tone that probably lasts as long or a little longer than most. And they make them in a huge list of scale length and gages.

As dependable as the sun coming up tomorrow.

I remember seeing an interview with Ben Shepherd of Soundgarden wherein he said he would only change his boomers if he broke a string.