Praise Report: GHS Precision Flats

[Pier_]

The ray character is still there, only now its more of a woody ray, as opposed to a flea ray.

the Stingray was born with Brite Flats so probably we are only overexposed to the 90's sound of the Ray.

here's my 3EQ with GHS 3025 (light set of P-flats):

Finger: Dropbox

Pick: Dropbox

same bass (fingers) with Ernie Ball nickels: Dropbox

Also shout out to GHS for making a "tough" flatwound. So many flats seem fragile, looking at you EB Slinky Cobalts, or the silks disintegrate after being removed once or twice. These things are survivors.

I totally agree! once I started using them, I rediscovered the pleasure of plucking hard, like the young John Paul Jones slamming on strings near the neck.
I use the 55-105 set on a couple of Precision (a CS51 and a Mexico P50), and wow, they are the best feel I've ever had in my life playing mostly flats.

I'm really angry with myself because I tried them only in April 2024, because I feared all the comments about the fact that they were too "thuddy", too "vintage", too "unbalanced".

********! maybe acoustically they feel and sound unbalanced, with in a mix, all the strings are slapping faces and asses. also, the "dark and thuddy" sound doesn't really happen.
it's a blast on the low mids, and gives the hardest fundamental I've ever experienced.

I'm now looking for a good 60's reissue Jazz to put them on ahah

 

[fanned fret]

Planning to put a set of medium scale on a guild starfire 2. Shooting for a thump beast. Has anyone done that?

 

[SharpCat]

I’ll be interested to hear how it goes. GL!

 

[fanned fret]

So far so good. EAD are really deep and solid. G still a little thin to my ear. Sustain is more than I wanted but the narrow string spacing and flat bridge make for really sweet palm muting.

 

[Sandwell]

I'm gonna try these strings out again, wondering whether to go for the standard 45-105 or the balanced tension set? any thoughts?

 

[Mike Vee]

I have tried these at least 4 times when I thought I could do better than LaBella. Nope.

I will say, though, I once bought a P-bass with very worn in GHS flats and it was pretty nice. But I just can't find anything that feels or sounds better than LeBella LTF.

 

[smatanovic]

I have tried these at least 4 times when I thought I could do better than LaBella. Nope.

I will say, though, I once bought a P-bass with very worn in GHS flats and it was pretty nice. But I just can't find anything that feels or sounds better than LeBella LTF.

I switched to LTFs from GHS on on a pbass about 6 months ago, and just switched back to GHS. I find I can get 98% of the LTF sound that I’m looking for, but then they’re significantly more versatile beyond that. To each their own!

 

[Mike Vee]

I switched to LTFs from GHS on on a pbass about 6 months ago, and just switched back to GHS. I find I can get 98% of the LTF sound that I'm looking for, but then they're significantly more versatile beyond that. To each their own!

Nice that sounds good

 

[smatanovic]

I switched to LTFs from GHS on on a pbass about 6 months ago, and just switched back to GHS. I find I can get 98% of the LTF sound that I'm looking for, but then they're significantly more versatile beyond that. To each their own!

I just realized you meant the low tension laBellas: I meant the deep talking flats. My bad.

 

[HaphAsSard]

I just realized you meant the low tension laBellas: I meant the deep talking flats. My bad.

Happens all the time: it's those danged initialisms.

 

[59jazz]

So last night I finally A/B'd my Fender 60's AVII P bass (strung with LaBella 760FL's) against my 1963 Fender P bass with an older set of GHS Precision flats. Something about the GHS PF's piqued my interest so I found a lightly used set in my string drawer and installed them on the the 60's AVII. Although they sound new and not as thuddy as the LaBellas, the PFs seem to have a broader, richer and deeper sound than the LaBellas. They're not quite as polished feeling like the LaBellas, which I like. Think I'll gig these strings for awhile and see how they pan out.

 

[michael_t]

So last night I finally A/B'd my Fender 60's AVII P bass (strung with LaBella 760FL's) against my 1963 Fender P bass with an older set of GHS Precision flats. Something about the GHS PF's piqued my interest so I found a lightly used set in my string drawer and installed them on the the 60's AVII. Although they sound new and not as thuddy as the LaBellas, the PFs seem to have a broader, richer and deeper sound than the LaBellas. They're not quite as polished feeling like the LaBellas, which I like. Think I'll gig these strings for awhile and see how they pan out.

Funny this thread should show up only two days after I installed the P Flats 45-95 on my Ibanez SR650E, which I play in passive mode with the reverse P soloed. I love the woody warmth with focused punch.

I actually like the silky and satiny feel of these flats better than the glossy and glassy surface of the La Bella. But that's just a matter of personal preference.

 

[Pier_]

Funny this thread should show up only two days after I installed the P Flats 45-95 on my Ibanez SR650E, which I play in passive mode with the reverse P soloed. I love the woody warmth with focused punch.

I actually like the silky and satiny feel of these flats better than the glossy and glassy surface of the La Bella. But that's just a matter of personal preference.

I quote every single word. I'm still in love with my GHS P-flats on tho basse right now:

Precision 51 CS with a set of regular 55-105

Mustang JMJ with a set of 45-95 medium scale.

I have a third set I was using on a Classic 50 Precision, 55-105, now dismounted because that bass is in the hands of a friend who's playing with Rotosound Jazz77.
I'm waiting for a 60's style Jazz Bass to get that John Paul Jones tone from the early Led Zeppelin albums

I should say again, they are not "muddy", they are punchy on the low mids, with tight basses and few highs, and I think that the "silky not smooth" texture adds something in the attack of the notes.

after trying most flats on the market, these are the only one that really caught me, and I blame myself for listening to comments all over the web describing them as muddy, a thing that made me avoid trying them for years.

 

[Dincrest]

GHS Precision Flats were on the bass I used for a gig this past Thursday. New video · Friday, May 9

I'm using the CM3050 set gauged 45-60-80-105 and they feel and sound so good. My last experience with flats was not the best, so I'm glad these flats tickle my fancy.

I'm a notorious string GASer, but I think I'm finally settling on GHS as my preferred brand. The bass I was using in that show (a heavily modded ESP/LTD HTB-600 with a swirl paintjob, Hipshot Xtender, and passive Seymour Duncan soapbars through VVT controls) really likes those Precision Flats. (I had the bridge pickup volume at 100%, the neck pickup volume at 75%, and the tone at 50%).

And when my Fender Aerodyne comes back from the shop (it's getting a set of GHS Balanced Nickels) I'll see how the bass and I like those.

 

[Karlo.kc]

I installed GHS Precision Flats on my Waters P-bass (SPB-3 pickups) last night, after playing Balanced Nickels for almost 2 years.
I must say that they sound GREAT right from the box!
This morning I tried them with my band. Full tube amp without any pedals... Deep and very focused tone... I am very satisfied!

 

[Pier_]

just to revive my love:

the Mustang JMJ bass I was talking about in other posts still has the GHS flats (medium scale 45-95).

last week, however, I decided that I was bored by those strings, and put back on a set of Chromes 45-100, I don't know why it happened. so I recorded them:

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

however, after the first hours thinking that they were great with all those highs and basses (they actually have more bass frequencies), I wasn't that sure to like them for their sticky and stiffer feeling.
so I retried the GHS:

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

the D'Addario are still a good choice for this bass, BUT the sound of the GHS is unique. I shortly retried an old set of La Bella Mustang, but they were so sticky and stiff, and totally lacking anything over 100hz, that I couldn't stand them, and didn't even record.

the GHS are velvety, they never get sticky, they only have some "grip", but in the good way, that kind of grip that let the fingers slide without burning like on glass, don't know if I'm exposing this thought in the right way.

they are also more flexible (I can say that even for the 55-105 set, they have more tension than Fender in the same gauge, but they "flex" better and are easier to fret), and that midranged sound is so so so good, it just penetrate bot mind, guts and heart.

in the band mix the short sustained E string doesn't feel that "short", and works well. they have the perfect frequency center for what I tend to imagine as the flatwound sound.
just there, with few basses and few highs.

fun thing: closing the tone (in the "mix riff" sample is the third riff, from Bend down low, by Bob Marley), the GHS maintain the same volume and vibe, just smoothing a bit of the higher mids.
the Chromes lose volume (not having that much mid frequencies and rolling down the highs) and definition.

so, for me, GHS all the way. I have them on three basses (P51 and P50 with the 55-105 set, Mustang JMJ with 45-95 set), and never want to change them. they are the quintessential flatwound sound and vibe.

 

[Yahboy]

Revisit the GHS 3025 + 126B along with FB55 D string. Thanks to Matt @ String by Mail for D string swap.

 

[Yahboy]

Here is the quick update with GHS 3025 ( with FB55 D string ) + XL FB126 set on my multiscale bass ~ Ibanez SRMS725 ( photo will share later )

Entire set strung up nicely on this multi scale bass guitar which has 34'-35.5' scale length. Before i go with GHS flat , i am actually want EB Cobalt flat super long set as first choice , but EB has no that option . So i put Ti JF365 , Chrome flat 5 string super long and LTF5A Xtra long in my list.

The LTF5A xtra long are the first out from the list because the B string tension. After using D'addario String Tension calculator for virtual string length/tension measure , the LTF 118 B [email protected] only increase to [email protected]' scale length.

31.x lbs B string are not stiff enough for this bass, because the 120 gauge B string from DR pure nickel just floppy ,loose and lot fret buzz , and the stock EXL super long B (35lbs @ 35.5' length) still has some fret buzz on first 3 fret wire when i set my personal preference action to 1.75mm@ 20th fret check point.

The XL 126B from GHS flat nail [email protected]' length , she feel stiffer and solid than both DR and EXL B string. But if i dig in, 1st-3rd fret still has tiny fret buzz but it is fine for my medium plucking finger.

I know someone will complaint that 1.75mm action may too low for B string, but those EADG can get lower from 1.5mm-1.25mm without fret buzz. All my 4 string bass has 1.6mm@E string to 1.25/1.4mm@ G string with Ti flat, LTF4A and EB Cobalt flat. All good without fret buzz issue.

When i set the B string action to 2mm , fret buzz free even play more dig in.

Here is the virtual string tension after i using the D'addario String Tension Calsulator for GHS flat 3025 + XL126B .

34.000 .045 41.5 lbs
34.375 .055 39.4 lbs ( swap out the .060 single D )
34.750 .075 40.2 lbs
35.125 .095 38.95 lbs
35.500 .126 37.3 lbs Total tension 197.35 lbs.

The GHS flat set just slightly less tension compare to stock EXL-5 super long set @ 205.80 lbs. DR din't provide string tension detail on Pure Blue set , but i need tightern the truss rod close to half turn for GHS flat to get same neck relief @ .008 . Clearly that DR pure blue 40-120 are quite less tension, maybe close to LTF or Ti flat.

I still need several day to monitor the neck and string condition after installing. Will report back the playing feel and tone after that.

Hopefully this set has no suck E string issue like the old set i been own , if she sound dead, she just dead . Those useless suggestion claim that string will getting better and lively after few week or few months playing by someone previously are completely nonsence !

Matt from String by mail always help, highly recommend for every one.

 

[Yahboy]

update on the custom set of GHS flat after 5 days strung on my SRMS725.

I am satisfied with the .096 E string, no dead and lifeless tone issue that i been experience in past . But , the B string just sound dead and can't set intonation probably. Just keep flat even bridge saddle are out from the intonation screw..... and the string actually in twist condition when i take out from pack.

This time i won't email or contact to GHS customer service department, i feedback and describe the problem to Matt@String by mail , and he send out the replacement B string intermediately.

Matt @ String by mail always provide their first class after sales service and take care to their customers. highly recommend !

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[e-flat]

update on the custom set of GHS flat after 5 days strung on my SRMS725.

I am satisfied with the .096 E string, no dead and lifeless tone issue that i been experience in past . But , the B string just sound dead and can't set intonation probably. Just keep flat even bridge saddle are out from the intonation screw..... and the string actually in twist condition when i take out from pack.

This time i won't email or contact to GHS customer service department, i feedback and describe the problem to Matt@String by mail , and he send out the replacement B string intermediately.

Matt @ String by mail always provide their first class after sales service and take care to their customers. highly recommend !

Invalid Link Removed

I’ve run almost the same custom set of GHS P Flats on one of my P Basses for a few years, except I use a .100 E string.

Lately I’ve shifted to a BEAD setup on my main P Bass and the .126 / .100 / .75 / .55 set is nicely balanced. The .126 GHS P Flat is my favorite B string I’ve tried so far… nice fundamental note definition but still very woody, dark, and deep without any “hollowness” in the low mids ( I like it better than the TI Jazz Flats B string for this reason )