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Praise Report: GHS Precision Flats

#2,283
I have a set of GHS Black Nylon Tapes that are slowly working their way to the front of the pile of strings to try on my P Bass. It's currently wearing 2 y/o TI flats, but previously had GHS P Flats on it.
Has anyone here compared or have experience with how P Flats stack up against GHS Tapes?
 
#2,284
NKBassman said:
Has anyone here compared or have experience with how P Flats stack up against GHS Tapes?
Click to expand...

There really isn’t a comparison. They’re so different in sound and feel. I thought the tapes had more in common with a set of nicely worn in rounds (while still retaining the top end a bit) over flats.
 
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#2,286
NKBassman said:
Straight from the source! Thanks Jon!
So for the tapes maybe expect them To sound closer to pressure wounds then?
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That’s a fair estimate. They have more bounce under your fingers, and not as stiff than PWs. But share more tonal qualities with them.
 
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#2,288
michael_t said:
"105 set" as in 45-65-85-105 (M3050) or 45-60-80-105 (CM3050)?
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SharpCat said:
Sorry, should have mentioned that. It’s the CM3050 set.
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And mine are the M3050. Not sure if that happens to be the reason, though. In all honesty, this only stands out when I'm practicing by myself--with a track or in a live context, it's not that apparent.
 
#2,289
Ricky Caboverde said:
In all honesty, this only stands out when I'm practicing by myself--with a track or in a live context, it's not that apparent.
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Something I've learned over the years... Never judge a set of strings, especially flats, by how they sound all on their own. It's how they sound within a mix that matters.

I would suggest you go find some isolated bass tracks of Jamerson's playing to see how some of those iconic Motown bass lines actually sound all by themselves. ;)
 
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#2,290
michael_t said:
Something I've learned over the years... Never judge a set of strings, especially flats, by how they sound all on their own. It's how they sound within a mix that matters.

I would suggest you go find some isolated bass tracks of Jamerson's playing to see how some of those iconic Motown bass lines actually sound all by themselves. ;)
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My issue isn't the sound, but the uniformity of tone. I think I found my answer in another thread (about Labellas! Funny that you mentioned Jamerson). I guess using flats on a jazz brings this out more:

2F/2F said:
The "different" sounding E is a known characteristic of classic flat wound sets.

You can adjust most of it out for free with pickup adjustments, technique tweaks, and selective muting. The issue is more frustrating on J Basses, because of their flat magnets. But you can do a TON of adjustment for individual strings if using a P Bass.

But in general, it's just part of the territory with old-style flats. If you change strings, or one string, you're stuck with a long break in period, and IMO, it's not worth it. Once I have a set of flats on, past the break in, and nicely seasoned (which takes quite a bit of time), they don't go anywhere. I love that tone, and really don't like the tone of fresh flats. I put a set of flats on a bass when I started learning the instrument, back in 1988. They are still on that bass, and sound outstanding. I would be loathe to remove them.
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LaBella flats - E-string sounds...dead
 
#2,292
It's been awhile since I used GHS Precision flats (about 10 years in fact). Today I decided to grab a M3050 set on the way from work and put them on my '99 Am Std LE Precision. I know this bass sounds huge, probably due to the lightweight ash body, but with these strings... WHOA! Talking about bark and thump. Pure authority. Couldn't leave my bass for 3 hours straight. I'm amazed how different they sound from like D'Addario and Fender Flats.
 
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#2,293
Hey fellow Precision Flat supporters! I've got a Fender P5 incoming and wanted to see if anyone here is using the M3050-5 on a five-string Precision or P-style (P/J, P/MM, etc.) bass? I'm specifically wondering about tension, feel, and how the B string performs.

I've got the custom set (CM3050) paired with a .126B single that I really enjoy, but that's not on a P-style bass.

I'm going for warm thump a la George Porter Jr and Paul Jackson. I typically roll the tone knob almost all the way off and I don't slap nor play with a pick. Maintaining definition with tone rolled off has been a challenge in some five string sets I've played, so that's important to me. Thank you all!
 
#2,294
arepa_funk said:
Hey fellow Precision Flat supporters! I've got a Fender P5 incoming and wanted to see if anyone here is using the M3050-5 on a five-string Precision or P-style (P/J, P/MM, etc.) bass? I'm specifically wondering about tension, feel, and how the B string performs.

I've got the custom set (CM3050) paired with a .126B single that I really enjoy, but that's not on a P-style bass.

I'm going for warm thump a la George Porter Jr and Paul Jackson. I typically roll the tone knob almost all the way off and I don't slap nor play with a pick. Maintaining definition with tone rolled off has been a challenge in some five string sets I've played, so that's important to me. Thank you all!
Click to expand...

Bump!
 
#2,295
arepa_funk said:
Hey fellow Precision Flat supporters! I've got a Fender P5 incoming and wanted to see if anyone here is using the M3050-5 on a five-string Precision or P-style (P/J, P/MM, etc.) bass? I'm specifically wondering about tension, feel, and how the B string performs.

I've got the custom set (CM3050) paired with a .126B single that I really enjoy, but that's not on a P-style bass.

I'm going for warm thump a la George Porter Jr and Paul Jackson. I typically roll the tone knob almost all the way off and I don't slap nor play with a pick. Maintaining definition with tone rolled off has been a challenge in some five string sets I've played, so that's important to me. Thank you all!
Click to expand...
I never used P Flats on a 5, sorry.
 
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#2,296
arepa_funk said:
Hey fellow Precision Flat supporters! I've got a Fender P5 incoming and wanted to see if anyone here is using the M3050-5 on a five-string Precision or P-style (P/J, P/MM, etc.) bass? I'm specifically wondering about tension, feel, and how the B string performs.

I've got the custom set (CM3050) paired with a .126B single that I really enjoy, but that's not on a P-style bass.

I'm going for warm thump a la George Porter Jr and Paul Jackson. I typically roll the tone knob almost all the way off and I don't slap nor play with a pick. Maintaining definition with tone rolled off has been a challenge in some five string sets I've played, so that's important to me. Thank you all!
Click to expand...

I think Porter uses daddario nickel rounds on his basses now. Prob used flats way back in the early meters days. Saw him live a few times in 90s and he was using rounds on his Ps.
 
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#2,300
arepa_funk said:
Hey fellow Precision Flat supporters! I've got a Fender P5 incoming and wanted to see if anyone here is using the M3050-5 on a five-string Precision or P-style (P/J, P/MM, etc.) bass? I'm specifically wondering about tension, feel, and how the B string performs.

I've got the custom set (CM3050) paired with a .126B single that I really enjoy, but that's not on a P-style bass.

I'm going for warm thump a la George Porter Jr and Paul Jackson. I typically roll the tone knob almost all the way off and I don't slap nor play with a pick. Maintaining definition with tone rolled off has been a challenge in some five string sets I've played, so that's important to me. Thank you all!
Click to expand...

Did you try out Precision 5 string with the GHS Strings?
 
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