Ive tried GHS Pressurewounds and I dont think they're near as good as the Smiths. Maybe it's all i my head, but my L2 K just loves Smith Compressors
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Ken Smith Compressors
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I've been using GHS Pressurewounds for about 4 years on one of my jazz basses (ash/maple)
They have been perfect for taming a bit of a harsh trebly sound that that particular bass bass with steel rounds. Also, they feel great. I really like those strings.
About a year ago, I decided to try KS Compressors. Most of the talk here on talkbass and even in this thread suggest that they are the same as GHS Pressurewounds. Well, they are NOT. They sounded dull right away and didn't feel as silky in my hands. I put them away for almost a year. 2 weeks ago, I gave them another try, this time on my Squier VMP5.
After the gig and for about 3 days after, my fingers were so sore that I couldn't play bass at all. I'm used to SS strings: Rotos, DR hi beams and low-riders, etc so it's not that my hands aren't used to coarse strings.
This is just my experience and if others like them, that's cool. For me, I won't be using these strings again.
They have been perfect for taming a bit of a harsh trebly sound that that particular bass bass with steel rounds. Also, they feel great. I really like those strings.
About a year ago, I decided to try KS Compressors. Most of the talk here on talkbass and even in this thread suggest that they are the same as GHS Pressurewounds. Well, they are NOT. They sounded dull right away and didn't feel as silky in my hands. I put them away for almost a year. 2 weeks ago, I gave them another try, this time on my Squier VMP5.
After the gig and for about 3 days after, my fingers were so sore that I couldn't play bass at all. I'm used to SS strings: Rotos, DR hi beams and low-riders, etc so it's not that my hands aren't used to coarse strings.
This is just my experience and if others like them, that's cool. For me, I won't be using these strings again.
Funny. It's opposite for me. The GHS Pressurewounds seem duller. It doesn't make much sense that the KS Compressors would tear your fingers up over round wounds.........
KS Compressors sound a little fuller with more 'sheen' to the notes on the basses that I've also had GHS Pressure Wounds on, but like them both.
Certainly like black silks more than purple, tho.
Certainly like black silks more than purple, tho.
I haven't tried the KS Compressors, but I've certainly been enjoying the GHS Pressurewounds for the last year - first on my J, and now on my P.
And yes, I love the way the cool black silk lines up neatly on my P as well.
Also, it might be worth noting for those who are thinking of trying either one of these that they do come in different winding lengths.
GHS Pressurewound "long scale" = 37.25" ball end to silk. (No silk at the ball end)
KS Compressor "long scale" = 38" ball end to silk. (Silk at both ends)
Here's how the GHS PWs fit on my 2014 Am Std P strung thru-body:
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Fender USA Geddy Lee signature J-bass with KS ML7200 strings. 100% bridge/80% neck pickups. Signal chain is in the description.
Oh shoot you're right. I had to go check my string box -- my KS compressors (purple silks) are off at the moment, and I've got the GHS ML7200's on this bass right now.
Which set is smoother to the touch? The GHS are pretty zingy on my left hand.
No difference. Pressurewounds and Compressors are basically the same strings both made by GHS using the same material (Alloy 52) and the same winding method (rollerwound) with a few minor differences in specs.
I started out with the ML7200 (44-58-80-102) then switched to the L7200 (40-54-76-96) in recent years. I also use the M7200 (44-62-84-106) for DGCF tuning, and the Compressors 40-58-80-102 (EADG)
I wish more strings were available using Alloy 52. I used to use sets from Sfarzo which were great strings at a great price but the Alloy 52s are no longer available and I think other brands’ offerings in this alloy were discontinued as well. I like the GHS Pressurewounds/KS Compressors but the tension is a little high for my tastes. I wish I could still get Alloy 52 rounds.
Interesting to see this thread return after 9 years dormant!
I guess I’ll need to try these!
I've been using the 40-100 set on my Yamaha along with the GHS Progressive 130B. When GHS discontinued the Progressives (Alloy 52 roundwound) back in 2019, I had to look for an alternative and the Ultramags were the closest equivalent. I like them.
I read through the (long) Ultramag thread and have some minor concerns about the stiffness of even the 40-100 set but I’ll probably give them a try anyway. A set of strings isn’t so expensive that I can’t check them out.
I’m really mourning the loss of the Sfarzo Alloy 52s. They were really great strings. Medium tension, very smooth, medium flexibility and the perfect tone to offset the inherent scoop of a jazz bass. I guess not enough people were buying them. They’ve never really had a lot of visibility in the market.
