Praise Report: GHS Precision Flats

[trothwell]

We all know these strings improve over time, but here's a quick little demo after one day on the new Fender Jazz Bass:



Neck pickup, both, bridge; then neck pickup and both played with a pick.

 

[uwrossl]

We all know these strings improve over time, but here's a quick little demo after one day on the new Fender Jazz Bass:



Neck pickup, both, bridge; then neck pickup and both played with a pick.

Sounds great! Makin me want to pick up a set of these again. It's been a couple years since I've used em.

 

[Barry Vestal]

Look what just showed up!! Gonna throw them on and start breaking them in as i have a gig this weekend!!

 

[sonojono]

Scary to see that gigs are starting to happen again while under Corona. Stay safe!

 

[Barry Vestal]

Scary to see that gigs are starting to happen again while under Corona. Stay safe!

Thanks i appreciate that...we have been doing a few gigs here and there...mostly outdoor stuff and live streaming stuff...peace

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

How do these pair with a passive fretted Jazz Bass? Do they get very muddy like LaBellas or do they stay more “articulate” sounding? Looking for a JPJ tone.

 

[Barry Vestal]

How do these pair with a passive fretted Jazz Bass? Do they get very muddy like LaBellas or do they stay more “articulate” sounding? Looking for a JPJ tone.

Listen to

How do these pair with a passive fretted Jazz Bass? Do they get very muddy like LaBellas or do they stay more “articulate” sounding? Looking for a JPJ tone.

Listen to trothwell's wonderfull sound clips a few posts back...he is using a jazz bass i believe

 

[Barry Vestal]

Excuse the double post..

 

[uwrossl]

How do these pair with a passive fretted Jazz Bass? Do they get very muddy like LaBellas or do they stay more “articulate” sounding? Looking for a JPJ tone.

If you want the JPJ tone of flats on a jazz get the Roto 77's. The GHS wouldn't get muddy but they do get thuddy/thumpy in a good traditional flatwound way. The Rotos have a lot more zip and zing to em and maintain it. After all...that's what JPJ used. But trothwell's demo sounded fantastic and I don't know how you could really complain about a tone like that.

 

[sonojono]

But trothwell's demo sounded fantastic and I don't know how you could really complain about a tone like that.

Tone is all in the fingers.

 

[michael_t]

Tone is all in the fingers.

When I acquired my 2014 Am Std P, I couldn't wait to put La Bella Flats on it so I could sound just like Jamerson. You know what, I never did sound anything like him. I guess it had something with my fingers...

 

[Jon Moody]

Tone is all in the fingers.

I hate this phrase. It's confusing "tone" for "phrasing, dynamics, attack, nuance, etc.." If I switch from a Fender Jazz to a Hilton Workhorse, the tone most definitely changes. The artistry doesn't.

 

[uwrossl]

I hate this phrase. It's confusing "tone" for "phrasing, dynamics, attack, nuance, etc.." If I switch from a Fender Jazz to a Hilton Workhorse, the tone most definitely changes. The artistry doesn't.

I almost responded the same but didn't want to open up that can of worms! LOL. I'm glad to hear you say this because I 100% agree that equipment has a lot to do with the sound you get. What you do with it from there is up to the brain and the fingers. First set of BN's arriving today.

 

[Papuzzo]

Tone is all in the fingers.

I almost responded the same but didn't want to open up that can of worms! LOL. I'm glad to hear you say this because I 100% agree that equipment has a lot to do with the sound you get. What you do with it from there is up to the brain and the fingers. First set of BN's arriving today.

There is a lot of truth to the "tone is in the fingers" adage. Of course Marcus Miller's rig sounds a lot different than Robert Trujillo's. But, if I play through Marcus Miller's rig will I sound like Marcus Miller? If Marcus Miller plays through my rig will he no longer sound like Marcus Miller and instead sound like me? This adage is particularly pertinent to those seeking to replicate a players sound, and when they have spent thousands buying everything the same right down to cables, they realize they still sound nowhere near the artist they want to emulate. After that enormous expenditure they realize that, as Jon states ""phrasing, dynamics, attack, nuance, etc.." plays a huge role in getting a particular tone or sound. Therefore, I think this adage is not 100% true, nor is it 100% false, but it covers a vast gamma of grey.

 

[trothwell]

There is a lot of truth to the "tone is in the fingers" adage. Of course Marcus Miller's rig sounds a lot different than Robert Trujillo's. But, if I play through Marcus Miller's rig will I sound like Marcus Miller? If Marcus Miller plays through my rig will he no longer sound like Marcus Miller and instead sound like me?

Abraham Laboriel once handed me his bass to try out. Literally the same bass, same strings, same sound system. I did not sound like him. :-(

 

[Jon Moody]

But, if I play through Marcus Miller's rig will I sound like Marcus Miller?

If you're familiar with how Marcus plays, absolutely.

If Marcus Miller plays through my rig will he no longer sound like Marcus Miller and instead sound like me?

If Marcus picks up a P Bass with flats and plays through an Ampeg, you'll know it's him BUT you'll also realize something is different. As soon as you say "Ah, it's Marcus but he's not playing his jazz," you admit that the gear used plays A factor in the overall tone.

If it didn't, why would guitarists be arguing over which type of alnico magnet gives their guitar a warmer tone? If tone is only in the fingers, any type of gear comparison is moot.

Abraham Laboriel once handed me his bass to try out. Literally the same bass, same strings, same sound system. I did not sound like him. :-(

That's a fun anecdote. I have one too.

I got hired to do a production run of "The Last Five Years" a while back. The director (who's a good friend, but also a Weather Report fan) said "There's fretless in this show. I'd like you to sound like Jaco." I spent some time shedding WR and JP's solo stuff, and opening night made the director happy.

If "tone is only in the fingers," then what I did borders on impossible. As well as the time I sat in with one of our artists' groups in Ohio Bike Week and ripped through "Cowboys from Hell" as if I was Rex Brown.

 

[uwrossl]

If it didn't, why would guitarists be arguing over which type of alnico magnet gives their guitar a warmer tone? If tone is only in the fingers, any type of gear comparison is moot.

If "tone is only in the fingers," then what I did borders on impossible.

As soon as you say "Ah, it's Marcus but he's not playing his jazz," you admit that the gear used plays A factor in the overall tone.

AMEN! "Tone is all in the fingers" to me is always 100% false because it's an absolute in using the word ALL.

While I might not sound exactly Jamerson on a song I'm preforming...I'll be a lot closer if I'm playing a P bass with thumpy flats and a mute than if I'm playing a 6 string Fodera with stainless rounds.

Technique and talent will obviously come into play in terms of tone and nobody denies that. But denying that equipment plays a significant role is misguided.

Bottom line is that equipment matters and it doesn't matter if you're talking about cycling, playing music, or playing golf. The tools you chose to use will have a big impact on the end result.

 

[Jon Moody]

AMEN! "Tone is all in the fingers" to me is always 100% false because it's an absolute in using the word ALL.

Exactly. If you wanna say “Tone is mainly/largely in the fingers,” I could agree to that.

Bottom line is that equipment matters and it doesn't matter if you're talking about cycling, playing music, or playing golf. The tools you chose to use will have a big impact on the end result.

Oh man, I enjoy cycling but get lost as soon as other people talk about derailleurs or the weight of their pedals, etc..

 

[uwrossl]

Oh man, I enjoy cycling but get lost as soon as other people talk about derailleurs or the weight of their pedals, etc..

But I bet you still understand that derailleurs and the weight of pedals still make a difference in how someone performs on a bike!!! It's not all the feet

Whether hobbies or profession...the rabbit hole of specialization and customization a person can go down is extremely deep! We have an entire forum here with tons of menus and choices and people from around the world contributing to prove it.

 

[Jon Moody]

But I bet you still understand that derailleurs and the weight of pedals still make a difference in how someone performs on a bike!!!

For sure. That’s the reason all my bikes have clips for pedals. Having those (and dedicated shoes) makes a WORLD of difference.