GHS to make a Flatwound version of their Balanced Tension strings?

Discussion in 'Strings [BG]' started by hollowman, Jul 2, 2020.

  1. hollowman

    hollowman

    Dec 20, 2013
    I was asked by Elizabeth Randall (the National Sales Manager for GHS strings)
    if a set of Balanced Tension Flats would be welcome by bassists?

    I said YES-YES-YES!!!

    Please comment if you agree! With enough support, maybe we can make it happen.
     
  2. Jon Moody

    Jon Moody Commercial User

    Sep 9, 2007
    Kalamazoo, MI
    Manager of Brand Identity & Development, GHS Strings, Innovation Double Bass Strings, Rocktron
    If you're talking just about "balanced tension," have you looked into the CM3050 set (45-60-80-105)?

    Because your original email to Elizabeth (which I'm CC'd on), asked about making a set of flats like our Balanced Nickels, which is slightly more involved than just "balanced tension."
     
    whero, Border, Brad Easley and 7 others like this.
  3. Not before Progressives 2.0 are all good and ready. ;)
     
    dagrev, sonojono and Vinny_G like this.
  4. Vinny_G

    Vinny_G

    Dec 1, 2011
    Neustria
    I'm still hoping for a balanced tension set of stainless steel round wounds. No company seems to care much about users of SS rounds, let alone in balanced tension. But I support this idea, nevertheless, in solidarity with my fellow bass players. :)
     
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  5. Don't confuse "balanced tension" with "balanced construction". A whole lot easier to achieve BT than BC. In fact, a lot of GHS factory sets are quite well balanced in tension already, even the Super Steels.
     
    Vinny_G likes this.
  6. Vinny_G

    Vinny_G

    Dec 1, 2011
    Neustria
    You're right. It's just that, as an SSRW user and BT lover, I sometimes feel a little lonely in the strings forum. :laugh:
     
    Ricky Rioli likes this.
  7. thabassmon

    thabassmon

    Sep 26, 2013
    New Zealand
    I am in support of balanced tension strings, I think balanced tension strings are much better to play than sticking with "traditional" guesses I mean gauges.
     
    steelbed45 and Vinny_G like this.
  8. Maybe you should start up a mega thread for all the SS roundwound users so you can commiserate with one another in one place. ;):D
     
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  9. Vinny_G

    Vinny_G

    Dec 1, 2011
    Neustria
    LOL. It would be even sadder. :laugh:
     
    dbsfgyd1, uwrossl and Dynacord like this.
  10. Maybe sometime down the road... But "balanced construction flatwound" wouldn't be at the top of my wish list for GHS.
     
  11. Would you be excited if GHS were ever to come up with an idea for balanced-construction, pressurewound, round-core Super Steels? ;)
     
    mikewalker likes this.
  12. Vinny_G

    Vinny_G

    Dec 1, 2011
    Neustria
    Nope, I can't stand the floppiness and the soft attack of round-cores. :p
    But I would try them anyway because I may be surprised. :)
     
    Ricky Rioli likes this.
  13. Not all round cores are created equal. I was quite surprised at how firm the light set (40-101) of the Balanced Nickels felt when I tried them for the first time. The same with the Round Core Boomers. "Round core" doesn't necessarily have to mean "floppy".
     
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  14. Vinny_G

    Vinny_G

    Dec 1, 2011
    Neustria
    Yes, I guess it depends on the diameter of the core. The Dunlop SBs, for example, seemed very similar to the DR Hi-Beams. But what bothered me the most was the difficulty of having a powerful and aggressive attack with a pick. These strings seemed to absorb my energy rather than giving it back.
     
  15. I've still not tried GHS flats but they're on my list for my next string purchase. Balanced sets would be cool I'd imagine.
     
  16. mikewalker

    mikewalker Supporting Member

    Jul 30, 2017
    Canada, Eh!
    Ditto this! Balanced, tonality AND feel...
    For SS
    (Rounds first, then flats)
    Thank you very much...
     
    Vinny_G likes this.
  17. mikewalker

    mikewalker Supporting Member

    Jul 30, 2017
    Canada, Eh!
    Yep yep yep !!! :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

    PS. Short scale sets a MUST
     
    Markzts likes this.
  18. J Posega

    J Posega Cat Dad and Dingwall Enthusiast Supporting Member

    Jul 16, 2005
    Los Angeles, CA
    I love the feel of the Balanced Nickels. While I cannot measure their tensions, they have a great feel and tone from string to string. Flats with a similar feel and even timbre from string to string would be awesome.
     
  19. The Balanced Nickels were a big step forward for GHS in terms of innovation - balanced construction, pure nickel final cover and round core.

    How about a flatwound version of them? Pure Nickel flatwound on a round core with balanced construction!

    This whole idea of "balanced construction" for a flatwound is an intriguing one, and a very challenging one, considering its main objective is "balanced tone" across all strings and up and down the neck. How many posts have we all read by people complaining how unbalanced their new set of flats sounded, and people advising them to give them six months to ten years for them to "balance out eventually"? ;)
     
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  20. e-flat

    e-flat Supporting Member

    Jun 15, 2009
    Washington State
    THESE are exactly what I’ve been waiting for GHS to make.