Praise Report: GHS Precision Flats

[markjazzbassist]

roundcore nickel flats that would be in that original fender territory would be pyramid and optima RB. i've had extensive time with pyramids (used them for many years) and some experience with optima RB. ghs to me still sounds the closest to the recorded fender tones of yesteryear with a fender bass.

 

[Luckydog]

I have played the original Fender flats a lot, as well as most other flats (The original Fender flats have not been available for many years now). To me the signature flatwound bass tones of yesteryear are produced primarily by La Bella.

 

[michael_t]

That said, I think there should be some round core flats with light brown silks, and a chocolate bar included in the package, and they'd be called Chocolate Flats.

Dark brown silk for flats = Rich dark chocolate.
Light brown silk for Pressurewounds = Milk chocolate with crunchy almonds.
Cream-colored silk for Balanced Nickels = Cookies 'n Creme white chocolate.

 

[Sandwell]

roundcore nickel flats that would be in that original fender territory would be pyramid and optima RB. i've had extensive time with pyramids (used them for many years) and some experience with optima RB. ghs to me still sounds the closest to the recorded fender tones of yesteryear with a fender bass.

yeah this is what I hear also

 

[nerkoids]

Best flats ever. Pass it on.

 

[Linnin]

Best flats ever. Pass it on.

Will Do!

 

[markjazzbassist]

Had momentary lapses of reason and bought some TI and Labella flats this last week. I tried them and immediately went back to the GHS. Something about these GHS just has me hooked.

 

[Linnin]

Had momentary lapses of reason and bought some TI and Labella flats this last week. I tried them and immediately went back to the GHS. Something about these GHS just has me hooked.

That was some expensive dalliance with dementia! Glad you've come back to your GHS senses.

 

[Member8675309]

GHSenses

 

[Linnin]

GHSenses

 

[Pbassmanca]

I wonder how Fender flats (.105 - .055) compare to the GHS Precision flats of the same gauges in terms of midrange characteristics and fundamental thump? I've got a nice, light, maple/alder Precision that sports a Duncan SPB-1 and I need some flats for live performance that have some decent grind and spank in the upper mids to sit nice in the mix. Thoughts anyone?

 

[Linnin]

I wonder how Fender flats (.105 - .055) compare to the GHS Precision flats of the same gauges in terms of midrange characteristics and fundamental thump? I've got a nice, light, maple/alder Precision that sports a Duncan SPB-1 and I need some flats for live performance that have some decent grind and spank in the upper mids to sit nice in the mix. Thoughts anyone?

Great question. @nerkoids loves the GHS .055-.105 Precision flats. I have a set of Fender .055-.105 flats on a '54 Precision clone that I think of very highly. The tension on the Fenders is significant. Not for wimps. The tone is amazing. The amount of deep bass meat is nothing short of delectable. The Fenders certainly played in faster than GHS. Pick either one. I don't see how you could loose.

 

[dagrev]

I wonder how Fender flats (.105 - .055) compare to the GHS Precision flats of the same gauges in terms of midrange characteristics and fundamental thump? I've got a nice, light, maple/alder Precision that sports a Duncan SPB-1 and I need some flats for live performance that have some decent grind and spank in the upper mids to sit nice in the mix. Thoughts anyone?

As much as I love GHS Precision flats for some things, if you want upper mids I don't think these are what you're looking for. They are more full-bodied and have the typical GHS lower mid thing that's more present. Sounds like you might consider some Roto flats or possibly Chromes. I don't think they have much of any mids, but the highs might be helpful. I like the Fender flats (some), better than Chromes--which I don't like I all. The TIs have some good mids and upper mids, but they are either loved or hated. I love them on old Pbasses.

One thing you might try is the GHS Pressurewound "flats." They are not flats, but are advertized as such. They are Pressurewounds and have fantastic mids. I love these strings in many settings. You could consider the EB Cobalts as well. Kind of a different animal but have their own thing going on.

 

[Pbassmanca]

Great question. @nerkoids loves the GHS .055-.105 Precision flats. I have a set of Fender .055-.105 flats on a '54 Precision clone that I think of very highly. The tension on the Fenders is significant. Not for wimps. The tone is amazing. The amount of deep bass meat is nothing short of delectable. The Fenders certainly played in faster than GHS. Pick either one. I don't see how you could loose.

Great reply! You sound like the waiter at a fine chops house describing the manly flavour of a 60 day dry aged, 32 oz Tomahawk steak versus the equally manly flavour of the Porterhouse of the same specifications. I'll take one of each.....

 

[Linnin]

Great reply! You sound like the waiter at a fine chops house describing the manly flavour of a 60 day dry aged, 32 oz Tomahawk steak versus the equally manly flavour of the Porterhouse of the same specifications. I'll take one of each.....

It really is that good. OK, now I'm hungry.

 

[Pbassmanca]

It really is that good. OK, now I'm hungry.

 

[markjazzbassist]

As much as I love GHS Precision flats for some things, if you want upper mids I don't think these are what you're looking for. They are more full-bodied and have the typical GHS lower mid thing that's more present. Sounds like you might consider some Roto flats or possibly Chromes. I don't think they have much of any mids, but the highs might be helpful. I like the Fender flats (some), better than Chromes--which I don't like I all. The TIs have some good mids and upper mids, but they are either loved or hated. I love them on old Pbasses.

One thing you might try is the GHS Pressurewound "flats." They are not flats, but are advertized as such. They are Pressurewounds and have fantastic mids. I love these strings in many settings. You could consider the EB Cobalts as well. Kind of a different animal but have their own thing going on.

Great post. I agree. GHS specializes in bass and low mid and mid range content. For grind, spank, clank, etc I think high kids and treble in which GHS is severely lacking. I would say try fender or d’addRio chromes. If you want even more high mid and treble content try roto or Dunlop. If you want the feel and punch of a round wound with plenty of mids (high mids too) and treble try TI , they are so roundwound sounding but without the clank/string noise.

 

[TomB]

So I know this is a GHS thread, but since you asked, the Ernie Ball Group II through IV flats have a very pronounced high mid content compared with most, certainly compared with GHS or Labella flats. On the right instrument in the right settings they’re just the ticket.

 

[Pbassmanca]

So I know this is a GHS thread, but since you asked, the Ernie Ball Group II through IV flats have a very pronounced high mid content compared with most, certainly compared with GHS or Labella flats. On the right instrument in the right settings they’re just the ticket.

Thanks for the input guys! I'm probably going to pick up a Fender set and also I will try the EB's (I've already got the GHS hanging out in the strings drawer ready to go), and then do a comparison before settling on a set for that particular bass.

 

[Sandwell]

been wondering for a while, how does the 95 E compare to the 105 E soundwise?