Review: GHS Balanced Nickels 4M-NB

[NKBassman]

I just ordered a set of Balanced Nickels to replace the Pressurewounds on my P-Bass, which are starting to get a little flat for my taste.

HOWEVER, do not fret... After one gig with the stock flats on my new Supro Huntington bass I've decided to try some short scale Pressurewounds on that bass instead.

 

[michael_t]

Some pics. It's hard to illustrate, look closely. I finally got it to hold using a kind of a cross-wrap.

Is this the only bass this set has been on, and only once? Looking at the frayed silk on the G, it almost looks like it's been on and off a few times.

 

[bdplaid]

Is this the only bass this set has been on, and only once? Looking at the frayed silk on the G, it almost looks like it's been on and off a few times.

Nope, one bass, the first time. That's how the silks ended up . Those pics were taken within 10 minutes or so of putting them on. But remember - the string had slipped quite a bit which chewed up everything. It never held tuning until I did a fold-over kind of string attachment.

 

[michael_t]

Nope, one bass, the first time. That's how the silks ended up . Those pics were taken within 10 minutes or so of putting them on. But remember - the string had slipped quite a bit which chewed up everything. It never held tuning until I did a fold-over kind of string attachment.

Wow, that's rather surprising.
My suggestion at this point is for you to send a PM to @Jon Moody and see what he has to say.

 

[Jonathan C]

Has anyone compared the light gauge to medium gauge? Advantages to one over the other?

 

[Jon Moody]

Wow, that's rather surprising.
My suggestion at this point is for you to send a PM to @Jon Moody and see what he has to say.

Yeah, please do. I haven’t heard of this ever.

 

[bdplaid]

I like the strings, btw, but not sure they're going to replace the DAD Xls, Dunlop SS and Nickel that I currently use.

 

[Jonathan C]

After reading some fellow postings regarding selecting gauges with the direction of Michael_t, I ordered a set of medium gauge balanced nickels for my Elite Jazz, which currently wears the light gauge. I think they will provide the feel I'm looking for my playing style and sound.

 

[SturmUndDrang]

Finally got around to putting the 4M-NB set on my Precision. Just fantastic feeling to play. Great to dig in on and responsive to a soft touch as well. Full flavor tone that is indeed balanced. Look forward to trying them on my shorties too.

 

[dagrev]

Just when are any of you cats going to not like a set of the BNs and put them in the classifieds so I can get a good price on them?

 

[trothwell]

Just when are any of you cats going to not like a set of the BNs and put them in the classifieds so I can get a good price on them?

What do you think is a good regular retail price for a set of one of the all-time best bass strings? $50? $75? $100?

GHS could be experiencing supernormal profits right now, but they chose to be kind and offer these strings for only ~$25.

 

[Jonathan C]

After a week with the 4M-NB strings on my Elite Jazz, I'm totally in love with the tone and feel of these strings. The switch from the light gauge which had the tone I was already happy with, a better tactile feel for my playing style.

 

[jnewmark]

Pretty much my experience after putting them on my RW Jazz. The G string especially seems more " beefed up " tonally than the Fender counterpart Nickle rounds I use. Jury is still out as I'm still in the " breaking in " period, but so far, really digging them. A little darker sounding than my usual Fender 7250's, but not like night and day.

Update. Totally dig these strings, and have put them on my main Jazz that I gig with. Very even tone over the whole neck, months later. I liked them so much, I took that Jazz in to the studio to do a local recording for a Blues artist, Bobby G. Great recorded tone, and live as well. Highly recommend these puppies !

 

[rzero]

Wow! I just discovered these, and ordered some. I'm late to the party, considering I may have co-invented these strings . I heard a rumor that a magnetic-wrap version may be in the works.

 

[michael_t]

I heard a rumor that a magnetic-wrap version may be in the works.

Would you care to elaborate? What do you mean by "magnetic-wrap version"?

The only rumor I've heard is the "balanced" version of the Round Core Boomers may be in the works.

 

[Linnin]

Happy Earth Day One And All! Saw this thread revived, and spied the date of origin. Just four days shy of six months, so why not write a quick six month review? I just so happen to have that very same Fender American Professional Precision with that very same stringset hooked up to the very same Fender Rumble 200 combo.

This is just an amazing set of strings, and love them I do! At six months the pure meaty growl of the E string is soul stirring, and it has been like that for a good long while and just seems to hang in there much to my delight. The same goes for the A. Really a thick and rich earful of delicious tonal goodness. The D and G both retain more of their top end, but the high mids glisten & gleam with a soft polished luster. This is a seriously solid stringset that is still sublimely balanced. The intonation hasn't changed, and there has been no need to tweak my initial setup. I have a brand new set in reserve, but I am not changing them out just yet. I'll let you know when I do.

 

[michael_t]

Saw this thread revived, and spied the date of origin. Just four days shy of six months, so why not write a quick six month review?

This thread was started on Oct 26, 2017, which happens to be the same day I put the 4L-NB set on my P.

No drastic change in tone or feel so far; they basically sound and play like they did when they were two weeks old. I love the way these BNs let my P bass sit in the mix in a live band situation with just enough clarity and definition to be heard without being too up-front and aggressive.

I fully intend to keep them on till they're ready to be retired.

 

[Linnin]

Given the 178 days this stringset has been on and played nearly everyday for at least an hour, so yeah, something close to 200 playing hours. I'd call that superb if not spectacular.

 

[rzero]

Would you care to elaborate? What do you mean by "magnetic-wrap version"?

The only rumor I've heard is the "balanced" version of the Round Core Boomers may be in the works.

My source is you. Just putting it out there in the most general terms to see if there is any more news.

 

[michael_t]

My source is you. Just putting it out there in the most general terms to see if there is any more news.

The last time I checked for an inside scoop on the "balanced RCB", I was told "no idea", meaning nothing definitive.

So, let's keep our fingers crossed, but without holding our breath.