True, but art isn't logical. String winding isn't science. It's an art.Haha. You're nuts!
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Put on some GHS Precision Flats today...
- Thread starter Vinnie Boombatz
- Start date
I hated the TI's. Rubber band city, and they felt incredibly mismatched in tension from string to string and the sound really didn't do anything for me. If I was going for a brighter tone I'd stick with Chromes because I liked the feel of them much better. Never tried La Bellas, but have had Chromes off and on for years, but they do take time to break in. Aside from the thuddy low E, I felt like the GHS Precision flats sounded great right out of the pack.
I'm ok with the tension. I have hand issues, so that helps. So far the strings seem even though the E is a little brighter right now. I don't have a G on there right now because it broke when I was stringing it up, so I'm waiting on a replacement.
Man, that's an expensive string to break! Sorry to hear that.
Yeah and I'm replacing my tuners because I've had this problem with other strings before too.
Another update: Its only been 4 days since putting the GHS Precision flats on, which means these strings are still brand new, in their infancy, maybe even considered premature at this point, right? Seems like the strings are starting to balance out a little bit more though, where the A and D strings have calmed down a little, and the G is still a bit bright. The E and A seem to sound more alike in tone and character than before where the E initially sounded slick it was from a totally different set.
One thing I was thinking about was how I strung these up through the body on the '08 Am. Std. P they went on, and then after the fact read up about how many go through the bridge so they don't damage the windings. I thought, maybe this is causing the disparity between the strings, but really think it has nothing to do with it, and read through threads where some sear it's bad to go string thru with flats other say they've been doing it for decades with no issues. I still kind of think going through the body is the way the go with this bass simply because these strings are so darn long, and if I went through the bridge the low E would wrap a ton of the fat part of the string around the post, and the silk at the ball end just touches the saddle.
I actually did order a lighter set of the Precision flats (currently have mediums on the bass) thinking that the bass may like the smaller E string and may change the dead thud/quick decay it has compared to the other strings and might be a little easier on the fingers, but they do feel pretty good, and like I said, it seems like they are actually starting to even out, even though they've only been on the bass for 4 days.
I think the mistake I made was taking them to rehearsal the next day after installing them. Didn't give them a chance to wear in at all and really drove me nuts at practice. They do seem to be evening out and I'm forcing myself to stick it out.
I am a fan of John Stirratt from Wilco and love the woody, warm tone he gets a lot of the time, and seems like I can get similar tones with these strings on my P bass.
One thing I was thinking about was how I strung these up through the body on the '08 Am. Std. P they went on, and then after the fact read up about how many go through the bridge so they don't damage the windings. I thought, maybe this is causing the disparity between the strings, but really think it has nothing to do with it, and read through threads where some sear it's bad to go string thru with flats other say they've been doing it for decades with no issues. I still kind of think going through the body is the way the go with this bass simply because these strings are so darn long, and if I went through the bridge the low E would wrap a ton of the fat part of the string around the post, and the silk at the ball end just touches the saddle.
I actually did order a lighter set of the Precision flats (currently have mediums on the bass) thinking that the bass may like the smaller E string and may change the dead thud/quick decay it has compared to the other strings and might be a little easier on the fingers, but they do feel pretty good, and like I said, it seems like they are actually starting to even out, even though they've only been on the bass for 4 days.
I think the mistake I made was taking them to rehearsal the next day after installing them. Didn't give them a chance to wear in at all and really drove me nuts at practice. They do seem to be evening out and I'm forcing myself to stick it out.
I am a fan of John Stirratt from Wilco and love the woody, warm tone he gets a lot of the time, and seems like I can get similar tones with these strings on my P bass.
If these don't work out, try a set of LaBella 760FLs...very even and tonally balanced set with beautiful tone.
If you want the tone of "traditional" sounding flats, but also want some top end to poke through...and you dont want to wait for fairies to arrive someday in the future to sprinkle mysterious magic dust on your strings so that you will like them more...then install La Bella Deep Talking Flats. The most balanced set I have found is 760FL. Immediate, and very long lasting tonal nirvana.
Yeah I loe the Low Tension set. Right now I'm trying TI's but if those don't work out I'm going back to Labella for sure.
More like...you just get accustomed to the tone. so much time has transpired that your initial buyers remorse has slowly morphed into resigned acceptance LOL!
I don't think so. The other strings are mellowing/changing. Seriously, its not my ear getting used to these strings, their tone does change. Thats like saying that the old, dead strings on my acoustics haven't changed, I just got used to the way they sold, which we all know isn't true since they go dead over time compared to when new.
I know. Just messin with ya. But to wait for half a year to be happy with bass tone is not in my plan. Not that I like the ghs flats "broken in" tone anyway. I do very much like the La Bella tone, both "out the gate" as well as years later. Its not just a thud, but a defined note- a thick layer of support, accented by a high mid component that can actually be heard in a busy mix.
Hmmmm, I may have to try those, since I really felt the Low E of the GHS got buried during rehearsal.
TI’s are very dependent on the bass you put them on. The tension is similar to rounds. I put them on my mia P and couldn’t stand them. Put them on my 63 av and just wow!
As others said, labellas are incredible. It comes down to what you are looking for from your sound. Labella=pinnacle of thump. And like other said FL all the way. Using them for years.
TI is also incredible on the right bass. Versatile and unique. Either way,, win/win
As others said, labellas are incredible. It comes down to what you are looking for from your sound. Labella=pinnacle of thump. And like other said FL all the way. Using them for years.
TI is also incredible on the right bass. Versatile and unique. Either way,, win/win
After trying just anout all of the different flats over the last 40 years, I pretty much use GHS Precision Flats as my goto these days. Great sound, quick break-in, reasonable price.
I prefer the light gauge set (45-95) after following a suggestion from someone on TB who said they thought the lighter gauge set delivered all the fundamentals and thump of heavier gauged sets. I gave it a try and discovered they have what I consider a better tone. Possibly because they vibrate more freely and the extra string excursion (which is what your pickups work with) seems to provide a better kick?
Whatever. I prefer the #3025 set. YMMV.
I prefer the light gauge set (45-95) after following a suggestion from someone on TB who said they thought the lighter gauge set delivered all the fundamentals and thump of heavier gauged sets. I gave it a try and discovered they have what I consider a better tone. Possibly because they vibrate more freely and the extra string excursion (which is what your pickups work with) seems to provide a better kick?
Whatever. I prefer the #3025 set. YMMV.
I had the medium gauge Precision Flats on my P bass for about 6-9 months or so...and the A, D and G strings did mellow out and E did tighten up to matched the others better. However, the 4 strings never got all the way even, but I do think they probably would have had i kept them on even longer. They do have a nice woody edge to them and do come closest to the idealized "Fender" tone you hear in your head when you think "P bass with Flats". Problem is I have 1 P bass and needed a rounds tone as well...
Has anyone who has used the medium (45-105) and light gauge (40-95) sets of GHS Precision flats noticed any discernable difference in tone?
