Praise Report: GHS Precision Flats

[markjazzbassist]

I've had more than enough of the break in period and I finally found my string. Sounds great on my vintage jazz, mids and bass and sounds just like old recordings (which I surmise are Fender strings originals).

Thanks ghs

sadly with the winter in full effect I have my truss rod maxed and the tension is just too high. I'm getting pangs in my left arm (fretting) when playing for 30 or more minutes, not good. gonna jump back down to a roundcore flat as they are more flexible, easier to fret, and less tension. I'm using 45 60 80 105, so jumping down to the .75 and 95 won't make enough of a difference for me.

GHS please make your Precision flats in a roundcore series I will buy them

 

[SturmUndDrang]

In regards to hex core having more tension than round core, I thought round core will have higher tension because they have more mass than hex core but round core has a lower perceived tension or feel. This would be assuming the core wires are of an equal diameter.

 

[michael_t]

In regards to hex core having more tension than round core, I thought round core will have higher tension because they have more mass than hex core but round core has a lower perceived tension or feel. This would be assuming the core wires are of an equal diameter.

Generally speaking, when people talk about the hex core being "higher tension" than the round core, they're usually referring to "flexibility/stiffness", not the actual pulling weight on the neck.

That said, it's interesting to note that, according the GHS Tension Guide, hex-core Boomers do exert more weight on the neck than their round-core counterpart.

 

[markjazzbassist]

sadly with the winter in full effect I have my truss rod maxed and the tension is just too high. I'm getting pangs in my left arm (fretting) when playing for 30 or more minutes, not good. gonna jump back down to a roundcore flat as they are more flexible, easier to fret, and less tension. I'm using 45 60 80 105, so jumping down to the .75 and 95 won't make enough of a difference for me.

GHS please make your Precision flats in a roundcore series I will buy them

ok trying some other strings and I'm missing the midrange of the GHS. on juststrings I found singles. gonna try this set to see if it's easier on my fretting hand.

.40 .55 .75 .95 tension wise would probably be (37? 38.4 38.5 36.7)

or maybe

.40 .55 .75 .100 and it's tensions would be (37? 38.4 38.5 39?)

thoughts? anyone try that small before?

 

[markjazzbassist]

ok trying some other strings and I'm missing the midrange of the GHS. on juststrings I found singles. gonna try this set to see if it's easier on my fretting hand.

.40 .55 .75 .95 tension wise would probably be (37? 38.4 38.5 36.7)

or maybe

.40 .55 .75 .100 and it's tensions would be (37? 38.4 38.5 39?)

thoughts? anyone try that small before?

F it, I'm ordering them gonna order .40 .55 .75 .95 .100 and i'll swap the .95 and .100 to see which one fits better. I still have my .45 .60 .80 .105 as well that I can swap in and out. should be fun.

 

[markjazzbassist]

F it, I'm ordering them gonna order .40 .55 .75 .95 .100 and i'll swap the .95 and .100 to see which one fits better. I still have my .45 .60 .80 .105 as well that I can swap in and out. should be fun.

I got the set and put them on. so far the .95 seems to work best with the .40 .55 .75, they are low tension but still have the GHS sound. after I get the truss settled (had to loosen last night, will re-check today) I might try swapping the .95 and .100 and see if there's a difference.

 

[Yahboy]

I got the M3050 on my Squier CV P almost 3 weeks, this flat produce really nice old school vibe.
Compare to broken in Labella 760FL, the M3050 tone is more meaty and no mid scooped like 760FL.
The E string also impressive me which sound focus and clear on lower note than Labella , especially from note F to G .
Another part I love this string is, playing the string close to bridge side with tone wide open, it still produce great thick low end which I couldn't get from my previous flat set.
When the string fresh , I dint notice dead sounding E string, and after a week playing, the D and G start lost their bright nicely.
The string tension just little higher compare to Daddario EXL 170. Through my finger, I could feel the A and D string little stiffer than E and G.
So far I am happy with it.

 

[Linnin]

Interesting tidbit of trivia from The Wrecking Crew page on facebook today about Joe Osborn. First a bit of background, Leo Fender gave Joe Osborn a pre-production Jazz bass in 1960. Joe was leaving right away on a Ricky Nelson concert tour, so took the new Jazz bass with him. Of course it was strung with V.C. Squier made flatwound strings. The trivia question was: "How long did Joe Osborn leave his strings on his bass?" Answer: 20 years! I hope he replaced them with GHS Precision Flats

 

[michael_t]

Interesting tidbit of trivia from The Wrecking Crew page on facebook today about Joe Osborn. First a bit of background, Leo Fender gave Joe Osborn a pre-production Jazz bass in 1960. Joe was leaving right away on a Ricky Nelson concert tour, so took the new Jazz bass with him. Of course it was strung with V.C. Squier made flatwound strings. The trivia question was: "How long did Joe Osborn leave his strings on his bass?" Answer: 20 years! I hope he replaced them with GHS Precision Flats

According to THIS INTERVIEW, Joe got his Jazz bass in 1960 and then put a new set of La Bella flats in 1962 and didn't change those for a long time.

Here's an excerpt...

Is it true you didn’t change strings for 15 years?
Maybe a little longer. I got my Jazz Bass in 1960, and I put new strings on it in 1962. It was a set of Labella strings. They never broke, so I never changed them. It wasn’t until they were filled with flat spots and started to unwind that I had to change them. I know it was long after I moved to Nashville.​

 

[Linnin]

I got my Jazz Bass in 1960, and I put new strings on it in 1962. It was a set of Labella strings.

DAMN!

 

[michael_t]

DAMN!

Well, if it's any consolation to you, the "Joe Osborn" flatwound strings that Lakland used to have were in fact GHS Precision Flats.

 

[Linnin]

Well, if it's any consolation to you, the "Joe Osborn" flatwound strings that Lakland used to have were in fact GHS Precision Flats.

A silver lining in every dark cloud!

 

[nerkoids]

I am pleased to see this thread still kicking.

A bit of sadness. The set on my kit P bass is all kinked up, due to all of the times I've had to re-adjust the bass' neck and especially the frets. So despite the great tone they now have, sadly, I will have to junk them because of the kinks are affecting their tuning stability.

 

[Thuddy Waters]

I am pleased to see this thread still kicking.

A bit of sadness. The set on my kit P bass is all kinked up, due to all of the times I've had to re-adjust the bass' neck and especially the frets. So despite the great tone they now have, sadly, I will have to junk them because of the kinks are affecting their tuning stability.

I'm not sure I've ever seen kinked strings. Can you post pictures of the kinked strings?

 

[nerkoids]

I'll try when I get home.

 

[Linnin]

I am pleased to see this thread still kicking.

A bit of sadness. The set on my kit P bass is all kinked up, due to all of the times I've had to re-adjust the bass' neck and especially the frets. So despite the great tone they now have, sadly, I will have to junk them because of the kinks are affecting their tuning stability.

That is sad. Sorry to hear that @nerkoids

 

[FirewalZ]

I love GHS flats, but unfortunately had to switch to rounds on my P....got a new gig and for the style of music the P/rounds sound is a better fit. Guess ill have to get another P so I can keep one strung with flats and one with rounds
Here is what I tried and how I ended up with GHS Precision Flats:
Chromes: Not much thud, no character, Med gauge was like bridge cables.
Sad's light gauge: I couldn't get past the small gauge, generally fine but just didnt "do it" for me.
Labella 760FL: Great feel and tension, great for recording, but too thudy and scooped for live, got lost in the mix and kind of muffled.
GHS Precision: The "Fender Bass" sound that launched 1000 recordings, nice low-mid bump so clarity is there on stage, more flexible than other higher tension flats. They defiantly have a certain character and are not dull or generic sounding like some flats can be.

 

[Linnin]

GHS Precision: The "Fender Bass" sound that launched 1000 recordings, nice low-mid bump so clarity is there on stage, more flexible than other higher tension flats. They defiantly have a certain character and are not dull or generic sounding like some flats can be.

So True!

 

[petrus61]

Stoked the 45-95 set is back in stock at BSO...just ordered my second set. After being a longtime Labella user, I think I'm arriving to the conclusion that P flats are just a better fit my P, particularly that gauge. For anyone looking to approximate the feel of Labella 43-104's, but are just tired of what they do, I highly recommend this set. I always liked the tone of GHS, just could never get comfy on the std gauge with a four string. Too stiff on the plucking end, IMO. The 45-95 feel way more balanced for me, both in tone and feel. Like the Labella 43-104, I can cruise on them with speed without them sounding choked or inconsistent, but unlike the Labella, I can easily alter my technique to get all warm and thumpy...and yes, this lighter set thumps. I'd also argue the .095 is also a bit more articulate than either the .100 or .105, without it being flop city. The highs that are sacrificed are well worth what else these strings deliver.

 

[Yahboy]

Stoked the 45-95 set is back in stock at BSO...just ordered my second set. After being a longtime Labella user, I think I'm arriving to the conclusion that P flats are just a better fit my P, particularly that gauge. For anyone looking to approximate the feel of Labella 43-104's, but are just tired of what they do, I highly recommend this set. I always liked the tone of GHS, just could never get comfy on the std gauge with a four string. Too stiff on the plucking end, IMO. The 45-95 feel way more balanced for me, both in tone and feel. Like the Labella 43-104, I can cruise on them with speed without them sounding choked or inconsistent, but unlike the Labella, I can easily alter my technique to get all warm and thumpy...and yes, this lighter set thumps. I'd also argue the .095 is also a bit more articulate than either the .100 or .105, without it being flop city. The highs that are sacrificed are well worth what else these strings deliver.

Thank for the 3025 review sharing, actually before i get the M3050, the 3025 is my first choice, but i found a Ebay seller sell M3050 twin pack with great price and cheaper international shipping cost.
So far i have no complaint with M3050 about the tone, playing comfort and string output balance, just i meet the same problem like the Sadow Black label with Vibrato effect A string ! Have email to GHS about this issue.
I am sure i dint twist the String while install and the A sound right after i put back the Sadow flat, Daddario EXL and Fender 9050 . No problem with nut slot , saddle and bridge.