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Praise Report: GHS Precision Flats

Thanks for the suggestion. Seems Ill probably just have to play through a few different types to find what Im looking for. Guess Im in no hurry so Ill take the time to sample a few sets. Think Ill get some recordings done while Im at it for comparisons sake. IS there an estimated break in period for all flats,Ill probably be playing through them around 5hrs a week. Thanks.

Yes, there is a 'break-in' period for flatwounds, and I would say 100 playing hours is about average. I spent weeks on just the D & G strings alone to get them to 'play in'. I wrote a six month update in which I thought the strings were played in well enough to go into the studio and record. I would estimate that to be about 250-300 playing hours.
 
Thank you guys for the feedback!

I spent some good time yesterday evening on listening closely to my new GHS Precision flats and what I can say now is:

- the E is very thumpy, relatively loud and has very limited sustain
- the A is perfect, thumpy and assertive, with good sustain
- D and G are a bit brighter and apart from that very similar to the A

I hope that they will balance over time and finally end up with the sound of the current A string. That would be perfect. Is there any chance that the sustain of the E string will get a bit longer after broken in?

Re the winding of the E string tuner post. It is worrying me a bit to see how the thick string part is wound arround the post. It looks... well... lets say unhealthy... :eyebrow:
 
Re the winding of the E string tuner post. It is worrying me a bit to see how the thick string part is wound arround the post. It looks... well... lets say unhealthy...

if it didn't break, it will not break. many brands make their strings to fit 36" or 37", like Ernie Ball and DR, and it's not a problem, with big tuning heads.

it can be a problem with basses such as Hofner or Danelectro, with "guitarish" tuners. the angle around the tuner will be too small and the string could break.
 
Hey Mr. GHS dude, just out of curiosity...

Since there seems to be a revival of the Fender VI/Eastwood guitars Sidejack Bass VI instruments of late, how difficult would it be for someone to get a set of these Precisions? Would there be a way to custom order a set?

Honestly, I am not that familiar with that instrument. Let me do a little research.
 
Is there any chance that the sustain of the E string will get a bit longer after broken in?

I got the EXACT same results with these strings. They are still relatively new (a few weeks of moderate playing). In my experience, strings have less sustain as they get older/broken in, so I am real curious to know if the PF E string will somehow defy convention and actually blossom. Right now it's a great big thud, which is a great supportive sound for using the "money" notes on the E, but vastly different from the other 3 strings: the E had hardly any sustain at all, even just after installation. Maybe the string will have less tension with more playing and become more open?

I know, I know - everybody on TB just says that all will be fine with a whole lot of breaking in, but . . . .

Guess there's only one way to find out: keep playing on them.
 
I got the EXACT same results with these strings. They are still relatively new (a few weeks of moderate playing). In my experience, strings have less sustain as they get older/broken in, so I am real curious to know if the PF E string will somehow defy convention and actually blossom. Right now it's a great big thud, which is a great supportive sound for using the "money" notes on the E, but vastly different from the other 3 strings: the E had hardly any sustain at all, even just after installation. Maybe the string will have less tension with more playing and become more open?

I know, I know - everybody on TB just says that all will be fine with a whole lot of breaking in, but . . . .

Guess there's only one way to find out: keep playing on them.

I've been playing mine now for about 4-5 months, and I find it has plenty of sustain, certainly enough for most playing situations.

I mean, the attack drops off pretty quickly, and it's not as resonant as the D and G strings, but I found they remain pretty well balanced once they're broken in -- which incidentally, didn't take all that long for me.
 
To be honest, this makes me feel uneasy. I am not sure at the moment whether to have patience of weeks or months of playing time in order to find out that my set of strings is no good. :hmm:

Stretch your E string by pulling it as you fret down from the neck to the nut. Re-tune. Repeat a few times until it stops de-tuning, or it only de-tunes slightly. That'll speed up somewhat the breaking-in process. I found I did this and not only does it hold its tune more steadily, it make it less floppy and sounded more like the other three strings.
 
Honestly, I am not that familiar with that instrument. Let me do a little research.

It's a six string bass, short scale:
bassVI.jpg
 
Stretch your E string by pulling it as you fret down from the neck to the nut. Re-tune. Repeat a few times until it stops de-tuning, or it only de-tunes slightly. That'll speed up somewhat the breaking-in process. I found I did this and not only does it hold its tune more steadily, it make it less floppy and sounded more like the other three strings.
Will give it a try, THX!
 
It's a six string bass, short scale:
bassVI.jpg

Sorry, should've been more clear. I know it's a 6 string, short scale bass. I need to find out the winding length, how the strings attach to the bridge (are we using a small ball end or large ball end), and other things like that before I can say if we have anything for it.
 
Picked up these GHS Pflats. They are the first set of flats for me too. Is there anything I might want to know about them?,breaking them in,stringing them ect? Also it still seems strange that I wont have these broken in until late fall/early winter lol wow.
 
Thanks for the words! I'm glad you gave them a chance to let them settle in a bit!

And... NICE BASS!!!! I've been seeing more of the double P-pickups in basses lately and am now pretty curious/intrigued.

Wow - I just saw this (GHS Official). I am a long time GHS user. Mostly Progressives and Precision Flats, med scale 45-105. I have to say your company rocks. I had some issues w/string length (E-string/Progressives) for a string-thru bass. (I have a few) I called and the woman representative who took my call was very helpful, and in the end sent 2 E strings no charge for me to try. Gotta say - this is a company I will continue to support, because they supported me. In fact, I just ordered another set of Progressives for my newest custom build.

I have tried a few other flats, and do really like the La Bella's, but GHS Precision flats are my default set. Keep up the good work!
 
Wow - I just saw this (GHS Official). I am a long time GHS user. Mostly Progressives and Precision Flats, med scale 45-105. I have to say your company rocks. I had some issues w/string length (E-string/Progressives) for a string-thru bass. (I have a few) I called and the woman representative who took my call was very helpful, and in the end sent 2 E strings no charge for me to try. Gotta say - this is a company I will continue to support, because they supported me. In fact, I just ordered another set of Progressives for my newest custom build.

Thanks for the kind words! I usually sit in the same area as Melissa and Paula, and they're both great women who really care about the customers. Glad to hear it worked out.

I've been working on trying to fix the string length issues; the Progressives sets and info were mislabeled and other things. I "think" I have it fixed at this point.


I have tried a few other flats, and do really like the La Bella's, but GHS Precision flats are my default set. Keep up the good work!

Can't argue there; LaBella make a very nice string.
 
I just put my light guage p-flats back on my 72 pbass. Enjoying them, love the feel and tone. They have a long way to go for break in, but they'll stay on that bass. I have chromes on my jazz, they just fit that bass better for the tone I'm looking for. I played Boomers for 30+ years never had a problem and got loads of compliments. Thanks GHS for some awesome products.
 
When I was playing a 5 string jazz, I was using GHS P flats. The low B had the best flat wound tone I've ever heard...kind of hollow with an initial "click" that bloomed into a warm note..very focused. I wish there was a way to get every string to sound like the low B and E on a new set of P flats. Instant late 60's/70's studio tone
 
GHS Precision Flats Medium Scale 34" Winding List

1. Root 5
2. gary m
3. BassistDale
4. Fat Steve
5. Abner
6. LilDuke

Alright folks, have the samples on my desk. If the six gents listed above will PM me their mailing address, I will get you a set to try out, and provide feedback.