Praise Report: GHS Big Core Bass Strings

[Linnin]

90 Day Report with roughly 120 playing hours on this stringset, and yes, they still sound good! I am amazed. I think I am just going to let you know when I put on a new set. Depending upon what GHS announces at Summer NAMM tomorrow, I will be putting on a new set of GHS Big Core Bass.

 

[Jon Moody]

Depending upon what GHS announces at Summer NAMM tomorrow, I will be putting on a new set of GHS Big Core Bass.

You're referring to THIS, aren't you?

 

[Double Agent]

Out of curiosity and good stuff I have found here, I just ordered a set of these from BSO for my Spector. This will be my first set of strings that aren't DRs or La Bellas in many, many years. Spector bridges aren't friendly with non-tapered B strings that are thicker than .125, but I like a .130. Also, the dual-coil EMGs are pretty bright and, combined with the Hi Beams that are on that bass now, the highs are very "sproing"-y and hard to control. Looking for something smoother with more fundamental that can still give me enough "zing" when I need them to for that bass. The descriptions I've read here indicate that these might fit the bill. I am a little concerned about the low published tension (27.3 lbs????) on the B-string, which I didn't see until after I ordered. But, I might have ordered them anyways, so I will just have to see how that works out.

I have mainly used DR Fat Beams and La Bella Stainless, or HRS, for the last 4-5 years on my Jazz V, but since the Spector is different in almost every way, other than number of strings, it seemed like it calls for something completely different in the string dept. I have a fairly large, corporate-style event on 08/23 that I plan to use them for. Hoping they work out.

 

[Linnin]

Out of curiosity and good stuff I have found here, I just ordered a set of these from BSO for my Spector. This will be my first set of strings that aren't DRs or La Bellas in many, many years. Spector bridges aren't friendly with non-tapered B strings that are thicker than .125, but I like a .130. Also, the dual-coil EMGs are pretty bright and, combined with the Hi Beams that are on that bass now, the highs are very "sproing"-y and hard to control. Looking for something smoother with more fundamental that can still give me enough "zing" when I need them to for that bass. The descriptions I've read here indicate that these might fit the bill. I am a little concerned about the low published tension (27.3 lbs????) on the B-string, which I didn't see until after I ordered. But, I might have ordered them anyways, so I will just have to see how that works out.

I have mainly used DR Fat Beams and La Bella Stainless, or HRS, for the last 4-5 years on my Jazz V, but since the Spector is different in almost every way, other than number of strings, it seemed like it calls for something completely different in the string dept. I have a fairly large, corporate-style event on 08/23 that I plan to use them for. Hoping they work out.

I wouldn't let the tension figure bother you. It's the hex core and the fact that the hex core is heavier is what really matters. GHS Big Core will be far less floppy than a round core DR.

As far as great tone and accurate intonation are concerned, the taper wound E & B are the way to go. I've found that everything GHS claimed about the taper wound E to be true in spades.

I'd be really surprised if you didn't love the overall tone and sound quality.

 

[dmn808]

Great report Linnin...I have GHS Boomers on my Fender Jazz now and was wondering if the tension of the Big Core strings is greater than the Boomers?

 

[Linnin]

Great report Linnin...I have GHS Boomers on my Fender Jazz now and was wondering if the tension of the Big Core strings is greater than the Boomers?

Thanks dmn808! According to the latest tension info from GHS the standard long scale Bass Boomer set M3045: 0.45=44.8, 0.65=50.1, 0.85=49.4, and 0.105=42.2 lbs.
Big Core Bass set 4-RMB: 0.45=44.7, 0.65=50.2, 0.85=49.3, and 0.105=40.8 lbs.
So the tension measurements in pounds are almost identical.
I haven't played a regular set of Bass Boomers in many years. However the Big Core Bass strings are decidedly on the stiff side, and their flexibility reminds me of GHS Precision flats. That makes it easy for me to go back and forth between my Precision in flats, and my Jazz in Big Core rounds. I don't do a lot of bending so the stiffness doesn't bother me. I really like the tone and longevity of the Alloy 52 wrap.

 

[dmn808]

Thanks dmn808! According to the latest tension info from GHS the standard long scale Bass Boomer set M3045: 0.45=44.8, 0.65=50.1, 0.85=49.4, and 0.105=42.2 lbs.
Big Core Bass set 4-RMB: 0.45=44.7, 0.65=50.2, 0.85=49.3, and 0.105=40.8 lbs.
So the tension measurements in pounds are almost identical.
I haven't played a regular set of Bass Boomers in many years. However the Big Core Bass strings are decidedly on the stiff side, and their flexibility reminds me of GHS Precision flats. That makes it easy for me to go back and forth between my Precision in flats, and my Jazz in Big Core rounds. I don't do a lot of bending so the stiffness doesn't bother me. I really like the tone and longevity of the Alloy 52 wrap.

Thanks for the info, I plan on trying a set of the Big Core strings and with the tension nearly identical to the Boomers, I won't have to contend with adjusting my set-up. I used to have a Precision strung with the Precision Flats and I really liked the tone of that bass, looks like I'll have to get another P bass, lol...
Looking forward to your next report...

 

[Jon Moody]

Thanks for the info, I plan on trying a set of the Big Core strings and with the tension nearly identical to the Boomers, I won't have to contend with adjusting my set-up. I used to have a Precision strung with the Precision Flats and I really liked the tone of that bass, looks like I'll have to get another P bass, lol...
Looking forward to your next report...

You will have to raise the bridge saddle on your E string (and B string, if you're putting them on a 5), due to the tapered core of the strings. Otherwise, you shouldn't have to do much if any setup if you don't want to.

 

[Double Agent]

I received the strings today. When ordered from BSO, they come directly from GHS, or least they did in my case. I installed them this afternoon. The whole bass needed to be setup from scratch since it had DR Hi Beams (they came on the bass from the previous user, I prefer Fat Beams) on it and the low-B was going from .125 to .130. Couple turns of the truss rod (more like a 1/2 turn) and the action was down to .010 at the 9th fret. Redid intonation and saddle height as well, and got it all working. Part of me really enjoys this process I think.

Anyways, initial impressions are good. They remind me a little of DR Lo-Riders, but not quite as aggressive...which is kind of what I was going for. They definitely have a feel of high quality to them, they don't feel like a drop-off from the DRs and La Bellas that I'm used to. Not a total surprise since I have used GHS strings on guitar in the past and had good experiences. I will really get to test them out at Saturday's gig, an awards banquet for the Fred Astaire Dance Studios here in FL.

Here is a headstock shot showing off the real silks.

 

[Linnin]

Perfect! So many bass players change strings Willy-Nilly with no thought towards an entirely new set-up. I look forward to your 'Live-From-The-Stage' field report, as that is what it's all about!

 

[dmn808]

You will have to raise the bridge saddle on your E string (and B string, if you're putting them on a 5), due to the tapered core of the strings. Otherwise, you shouldn't have to do much if any setup if you don't want to.

Thanks for the heads up Jon...

 

[Dave Curran]

Here they are on a string through 37" scale. The A string still had a little over an inch cut off and 3 wraps.

Just love these strings. Similar tension to p-flat lights. Very low action. And yes, the B and E string are useable all the way up the fret board.

 

[Linnin]

View attachment 469609
Here they are on a string through 37" scale. The A string still had a little over an inch cut off and 3 wraps.

Just love these strings. Similar tension to p-flat lights. Very low action. And yes, the B and E string are useable all the way up the fret board.

It is a beautiful thing!

 

[Jon Moody]

Just love these strings. Similar tension to p-flat lights. Very low action. And yes, the B and E string are useable all the way up the fret board.

Thanks for the words; I agree! I'm usually sitting around the seventh fret as my "home bass" (see what I did there?) on my 5 string, so having a B string and E string that are usable is VERY important to me and my playing.

 

[superheavyfunk]

I'm curious about DoubleAgent's opinion about these strings after his could of gigs. I've got myself a Spector 5 and have been looking for waits to tame those "sproing-y" highs, myself.

 

[Jaycephas]

I just ordered a set for my Lakland DJ5 with Aeros. I've been using Lakland strings since I got this bass. They have always been a bit 'muddy' for my taste, but overall they get the job done. I've loved the tapered B, so I'm hoping that these brighten the tone but keep the bottom big.

 

[Jaycephas]

So I'm following up on my post regarding these strings. I finally got them on my DJ5 and I absolutely love them. They are bright, punchy and very seem very even, both tension and tone wise. Thanks for the recommendation, all, and thank you GHS for some great strings.