Praise Report: GHS Precision Flats

[michael_t]

I was just wondering what all the fuss was about when so many are so obviously pleased with this stringset.

OCD

OCD is exactly right. Most people wouldn't care about the non-silk part of the E string riding on the tuning post.

It's all about me being a hopeless perfectionist (can you say "anal"?), who is bothered by the tiniest little details like that.

Should a small (and seemingly insignificant) detail like that keep me from trying out a set of strings a lot of people rave about? No!

Will it? Yes!

 

[Jon Moody]

I was just wondering what all the fuss was about when so many are so obviously pleased with this stringset.

Well, there is an actual concern. If you have the "meat" of the string wrapped up on the tuner, you can put undue stress on the wrap itself and cause the string to fail prematurely. I've had this happen a couple of times, albeit with the smaller Gotoh/Schaller style of tuners and not the bigger Fender style. However, that is the main concern and why there is a request for a .105 with a 36.5" winding length.

 

[Linnin]

Well, there is an actual concern. If you have the "meat" of the string wrapped up on the tuner, you can put undue stress on the wrap itself and cause the string to fail prematurely. I've had this happen a couple of times, albeit with the smaller Gotoh/Schaller style of tuners and not the bigger Fender style. However, that is the main concern and why there is a request for a .105 with a 36.5" winding length.

Well OK then. Once you get those made up, would you send me one? TIA.

 

[michael_t]

Well, there is an actual concern. If you have the "meat" of the string wrapped up on the tuner, you can put undue stress on the wrap itself and cause the string to fail prematurely. I've had this happen a couple of times, albeit with the smaller Gotoh/Schaller style of tuners and not the bigger Fender style. However, that is the main concern and why there is a request for a .105 with a 36.5" winding length.

Thanks for pointing this out!

It simply boggles my mind that a reputable string company like GHS hasn't caught up to the idea "one size does NOT fit all".

 

[michael_t]

By the way, here's a photo (previously posted by G.Bisson in another thread) that illustrates what we're talking about.

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[Jon Moody]

Thanks for pointing this out!

It simply boggles my mind that a reputable string company like GHS hasn't caught up to the idea "one size does NOT fit all".

It's really not just us, but you have to look at it from a business perspective. We have tons of gauges/lengths available in Boomers, but not Flats. Why is that? Well, people change roundwound strings when the sound dulls or dies; they replace flats when they break. It's easily a 9:1 ratio between sales, so from that standpoint it can be a tough sell. Add into that the fact that, prior to me, there wasn't a "working" bass player in the building , not to mention the age old "But we've always done it this way" mantra (that EVERYONE deals with at some point), and you can at least see my side of this.

 

[michael_t]

It's really not just us, but you have to look at it from a business perspective.

Having spent enough years in sales/marketing myself, I know exactly where you're coming from. It's all about the bottom line. No argument there.

We have tons of gauges/lengths available in Boomers, but not Flats. Why is that? Well, people change roundwound strings when the sound dulls or dies; they replace flats when they break. It's easily a 9:1 ratio between sales, so from that standpoint it can be a tough sell.

Again, your point is well taken. My perspective is if I'm going to put a set of flats on my bass that I'll be living with at least for the next few years (or even longer), I might as well make darn sure they fit on my bass properly to begin with.

Add into that the fact that, prior to me, there wasn't a "working" bass player in the building , not to mention the age old "But we've always done it this way" mantra (that EVERYONE deals with at some point), and you can at least see my side of this.

It was your valuable presence within the TalkBass community as a fellow bassist, along with positive feedbacks from many happy GHS users, that got me going on the idea of at least giving GHS a try. So, thank you for all you do around here, Jon!

 

[nerkoids]

Just put some crazy glue at the silks and metal wrap joint before you install them (let it dry for a bit first too). That'll keep them from unravelling when you take them off for whatever reason, then put them on again. I've got like half a turn of naked string on my E string tuner, and I've taken the strings off a few times to adjust my bass... never had any problems.

 

[Linnin]

By the way, here's a photo (previously posted by G.Bisson in another thread) that illustrates what we're talking about.

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Yep. That's about the way mine looks too, but it's not detrimental in anyway as the E string tone and attack is fabulous! Best I've ever heard.

 

[michael_t]

Yep. That's about the way mine looks too, but it's not detrimental in anyway as the E string tone and attack is fabulous! Best I've ever heard.

Yes, Linnin, I totally get your point. I'm the one who's being needlessly nit-picky, I know.

Here's the way I still would like my strings to fit on my bass:

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[Selim]

Can someone anyone tell me whether or not GHS PFs can be strung thru the body? Apologies if this has been asked & answered .... Thanks.

 

[shawshank72]

Can someone anyone tell me whether or not GHS PFs can be strung thru the body? Apologies if this has been asked & answered .... Thanks.

Yes they can and yes i have.

 

[Selim]

Thanks!

 

[Pimmsley]

If it helps our cause for 34" scale... That's mine...

 

[nerkoids]

Here's a song I did using the GHS Precision 45-105s, on a Squier VM 70s Jazz bass, using a touch of EQ and limiting. It really sits well in the mix (this is finger style, played up at the end of the fretboard, both pickups up, tone full open). I play a little simple lick at the end for those wanting to hear them solo.

These strings really are the sound I've been wanting to make for many many many years:

 

[nerkoids]

Since we're posting E-string wrapping on top-loaders, here's mine:

 

[michael_t]

Since we're posting E-string wrapping on top-loaders, here's mine:

Wow, another lefty?

 

[JustForSport]

Since we're posting E-string wrapping on top-loaders, here's mine:

Won't work well on 3 x 2's, obviously, especially w/o those large posts.

 

[tallboybass]

Elderly has a 15% off sale on in-stock GHS strings (which are already priced right). That means there'll be another PF E-string wrapped around the post of a lefty in a few days.

 

[nerkoids]

Just crazy-glue like I did, and the wrap thingy is no big deal. I've had no tuning issues, the metal wrap on the naked string has yet to incur any damage.

I mean, if you're the type that likes to bounce back and forth between a few sets, then it might be a concern, but aside from a few adjustments, these babies hold up well.