Hey everyone, so I've been curious about pressurewound strings and I've only came across rotosound and ghs to make them. I was curious which brand is better and if there is any other brands out there that makes pressurewounds. I'm kinda leaning towards ghs because they have different gauge sets as well as the bronze which sound spectacular on electric bass and rotosound only has the one, but I've always wanted to try something from them, so I'm torn, and asking for opinions, thanks!
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Pressurewound strings ghs vs rotosound (or other brands)
- Thread starter Bio-Bassist
- Start date
-
- Tags
- ghs pressurewounds rotosound
Four main brands of so-called "pressurewound"... The main difference is the material used for the outer cover.
GHS Pressurewound = Alloy 52 (nickel-iron).
Ken Smith Compressors = Alloy 52 (nickel-iron), also made by GHS.
Rotosound Solo Bass 55 = Stainless Steel.
SIT Silencers = Nickel-plated Steel.
Not that one is better than the others as such; it's just a matter of the user's preference in tonal character.
That's all true for sure, I just know that the ghs's give more midrange punch, probably cause of the nickel, but also I did see the SIT silencers and didn't know if they were pressurewound or not, I thought that they were half rounds because of the description, I'll have to look into them again, especially since they're Akron made and I'm from the Cleveland area haha
Alloy 52 used by GHS for the Pressurwound is unique in its tonal character due to its highly magnetic properties different from either stainless steel or nickel-plated steel.
SIT Silencers are not "groundwound/half-rounds" as it would be impossible to grind down nickel-plated steel without losing the nickel plating. From the SIT website: "The process of Inverse String Winding compresses the outermost part of the cover wrap leaving the internal structure of the string intact."
My experience was that the Rotos were NOT smoother feeling than regular rounds, but GHS were.
Right, cause if you get rid of the coating then the sound profile would be lost,
Fair, cause I was looking for something a bit more easier on the fingertips, not like I don't already play with mainly rounds, and I'm not big on flats, but just wondered if there was something smoother with more mids, like pressurewounds
I have the Roto's on a couple of my basses. A bit mellower than rounds bit still have a bit of zing. Been looking at a change myself...
I love GHS Pressurewounds - my favorite string. Easy on the fingers and quiet. They sound great with plenty of punch but are not as bright as roundwounds, which I like.
Another vote for the GHS Pressurewounds. Smother feel than roundwounds with more punch than flats.
Just to elaborate further on Alloy 52 and its unique tonal character...
I should point out that the mid-forward character of this particular alloy may not suit all basses. As much as I love the Pressurewounds, they haven't worked equally well on every bass I've tried them on. There may be situations where either stainless steel (Roto) or nickel-plated steel (SIT) is a better choice.
The Pressurewounds are well balanced tension wise. The other offerings aren't - I've had the Rotos, and you could feel the tension differences pretty easily.
The GHS Pressurewounds hands down.
Excellent strings with lots of stiffness. Great for down tuning also (if you’re into that kind of thing).
Excellent strings with lots of stiffness. Great for down tuning also (if you’re into that kind of thing).
As you can clearly see the answers given on this thread. The Pressurewounds are the winners in this debate and are among the most favorite strings in TB (it’s up there with GK gear).
You can’t go wrong with Pressurewounds!
You can’t go wrong with Pressurewounds!
I haven't had the luxury of direct comparisons of all of these, but when I fitted one bass with some GHS Pressurewounds, not long afterward I ordered a set for another bass. Both Fenders featuring a vintage-style P pickup (one a PJ, but still), so I can attest to their good relationship with that sound.
The SIT Silencers sound interesting, I must say. Would I be right in guessing they have a fairly bright character, closer to standard rounds than the GHS? I'm not familiar.
The SIT Silencers sound interesting, I must say. Would I be right in guessing they have a fairly bright character, closer to standard rounds than the GHS? I'm not familiar.
I put a set on my Sabre fretless this winter, as a change from half/ground wounds I’d been using for years, and I agree. Similar in tone to half-rounds but they feel nicer under my fingers. Can’t compare them with the other types referenced, though.
Groundwounds could be worth a look. I've been using D'Addario ENR71s on my Ibanez fretless for a few years.
The OP is apparently not big on flats. Half-rounds (groundwound) are a lot more flatwound-like both in tone and feel than the Pressurewounds. I have a set of GHS Brite Flats (Alloy 52 half-rounds) on my P bass specifically to get some of the flatwound vibe out of it.
Last edited:
I have no personal experience with the Silencers. But my educated guess, based on what I've read, would be they, being NPS instead of Alloy 52, are not quite as aggressive in the mids as the GHS PWs. I've been curious about the SIT, but unfortunately, they don't come in my preferred gauges, 40-55-75-95.
I use the M7200 set (44-106) on my Fender J, tuned down to DGCF and they work great.
