Review: GHS Balanced Nickels 4M-NB

[TheIndieKid]

@Jon Moody I have to ask. When these strings were made, were they intended to be kept on basses until that mellowed sound was acquired (so that the broken-in sound IS the sound of these strings) or were they intended to be like stainless steel rounds, in that their tonal properties when new is what is unique about them?

I'm curious, in the respect that when Rotosound made the roundwound for Entwistle, it was because he favoured the zingy clank when new. But everyone who mentions pure nickel rounds talks about their broken-in sound, and that's not what I imagine roundwounds were intended for, even though that's what's happened for some people over the years.

 

[Jon Moody]

@Jon Moody I have to ask. When these strings were made, were they intended to be kept on basses until that mellowed sound was acquired (so that the broken-in sound IS the sound of these strings) or were they intended to be like stainless steel rounds, in that their tonal properties when new is what is unique about them?

Nope, none of that thinking at all. Legitimately, I thought it would be cool to use pure nickel as I hadn't used it before. I wanted a good string, period, and would rather they sound good across the entire lifespan over being preferred "new" or "worn in."

Players will still have that preference for sure, but none of that was even a consideration when designing them. The only consideration toward "tone life" was that, because they were pure nickel and started out as a darker sounding string, that tonal degradation would be less, because they're not that far from that worn-in sound already.

But other than that, no. Those two delineations of tone can vary so much between two players and what they consider that "new sound" as opposed to the "worn in one" (especially the latter), that it wouldn't make sense to try it.

And besides, would you honestly want a string that was made with a statement from the company of "These things sound amazing...after you put about 30 playing hours on them."

But everyone who mentions pure nickel rounds talks about their broken-in sound, and that's not what I imagine roundwounds were intended for, even though that's what's happened for some people over the years.

Maybe not the original intent, but it's been decades since roundwounds were introduced, so they're allowed to evolve as the players needs have.

 

[michael_t]

everyone who mentions pure nickel rounds talks about their broken-in sound, and that's not what I imagine roundwounds were intended for, even though that's what's happened for some people over the years.

Whether one likes the sound of fresh new strings or well-worn-in ones is a matter of personal taste on the part of the player rather than something that's intended by the manufacturer.

That said, "pure nickel" is generally associated with "non-zingy warmth" and as such preferred by those who like the sound of well-broken-in rounds after the initial zing wears off, while zing lovers tend to go for stainless steel for the brightness.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

@TheIndieKid
I was a diehard RSW66 user for quite a few years. I kind of “stumbled upon” nickel plated roundwounds. I found their warmer tone fit the styles of music I was playing, so I’ve used them ever since.

I haven’t tried every brand of NPS RWs out there, but of the many different brands that I have tried, I’ve never found one that came close to the brightness that a brand new set of Rotosound Swing Bass has. IMO.

Of the NPS RWs that I’m really familiar with, I’d rate D’Addario XLs the brightest, followed by EB Slinkys, and LaBella Nickel Plated Series, -formerly called: “Slappers”.

There’s a lot of DR fans here, I’ve never tried their strings, but there’s a pretty good YouTube video where a guy with a really nice P-Bass does a demonstration of RSB66’s and DR Stainless High Beams. IMO the DRs match the brightness, but they lack the rawness the Rotos have. IMO both sets sound killer.

For GHS Strings, I find their “Brightness Bar” is really accurate at rating the level of brightness, - or the lack of, that each of their sets provide.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

 

[BassinCT]

I have been following this thread lately, as the descriptions of the Balanced Nickel string I have read seem to line up with my preferences. In addition to that, my new bass requires a B string that is between 37-37.25” long. Two of the boxes checked off!

About the stiffness/compliance: My current favorite string sets for feel are the Fodera nickel lights, and DR Pure Blues 45-125 set. Which gauge of GHS balanced nickels should I try first?

Also, has anyone directly compared the BN’s to the Fodera nickel? Thanks in advance for your input!

 

[michael_t]

About the stiffness/compliance: My current favorite string sets for feel are the Fodera nickel lights, and DR Pure Blues 45-125 set. Which gauge of GHS balanced nickels should I try first?

I have tried the Pure Blues 45-65-80-100 and found them to be a bit too loose for my taste, while the BN 40-101 provided just enough firmness for my liking.

No experience with the Fodera Nickel Lights, but based on what I've read, they would probably be closer to BN 40-101 than BN 44-106.

 

[iiipopes]

@TheIndieKid
I was a diehard RSW66 user for quite a few years. I kind of “stumbled upon” nickel plated roundwounds. I found their warmer tone fit the styles of music I was playing, so I’ve used them ever since.

I haven’t tried every brand of NPS RWs out there, but of the many different brands that I have tried, I’ve never found one that came close to the brightness that a brand new set of Rotosound Swing Bass has. IMO.

Of the NPS RWs that I’m really familiar with, I’d rate D’Addario XLs the brightest, followed by EB Slinkys, and LaBella Nickel Plated Series, -formerly called: “Slappers”.

There’s a lot of DR fans here, I’ve never tried their strings, but there’s a pretty good YouTube video where a guy with a really nice P-Bass does a demonstration of RSB66’s and DR Stainless High Beams. IMO the DRs match the brightness, but they lack the rawness the Rotos have. IMO both sets sound killer.

For GHS Strings, I find their “Brightness Bar” is really accurate at rating the level of brightness, - or the lack of, that each of their sets provide.

OK, great review of various sets. But...no mention of the title of this thread: GHS Balanced Pure Nickels (they are truly pure nickel wrap, not NPS as you have compared several sets).

 

[iiipopes]

I wanted a good string, period, and would rather they sound good across the entire lifespan over being preferred "new" or "worn in."

I tried both the 40's and 44's sets on various basses, and even used the 44's as a tune-down-to-Eb set. Yes, I agree: the tone is consistent irrespective of the number of hours of practice/rehearsal/gigging. I don't even know how old they were when I sent them to another TB'er who wanted to know what they were like. But both sets still had plenty of life left in them.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

OK, great review of various sets. But...no mention of the title of this thread: GHS Balanced Pure Nickels (they are truly pure nickel wrap, not NPS as you have compared several sets).

I apologize for my post.

 

[donahue]

These came on a short scale bass that I recently purchased and I'm really digging them!

I was going to try some other short scale strings for the heck of it, but after trying these and reading through this thread I'm not sure I can do much better in a short scale string? They sound fabulous on this JB62SS.

 

[e-flat]

About the stiffness/compliance: My current favorite string sets for feel are the Fodera nickel lights, and DR Pure Blues 45-125 set. Which gauge of GHS balanced nickels should I try first?

Also, has anyone directly compared the BN’s to the Fodera nickel? Thanks in advance for your input!

I might be able to help, since I have a set of Fodera Nickels (.105 set, though) and have put plenty of time into the GHS BNs, too.

Both sets are round core, but the GHS are a little bit more supple / flexible feeling. Both are definitely “mid-tension” - very comfortably balanced in this department.

Tonally, I’d have to do a direct AB comparison to split hairs here, but the Fodera Nickels have a little of that characteristic Nickel Plated Steel “bump” in the high midrange. It’s not as pronounced as DR Sunbeams but it’s there nonetheless. GHS BN don’t display that hyped upper midrange, and are mellow in the higher registers with good definition & clarity.

Both the BN and Fodera have a deep low end with good definition and throaty Low midrange. They are more similar than different in this regard.

Basically, the differences are those you’d expect to see when comparing Pure Nickel (BN) to NPS (Fodera) - the Pure Nickel will be a little warmer & mellower.

As for gauge, I’d suggest the .101 set of BN over the .106 set if you liked the lighter Fodera.

 

[BassinCT]

Thanks for the replies!

 

[Gab124]

Reviving this thread just for fun! Was looking for a new string for my pbass, and remembered that many used to like the bass boomers which led me to this thread. I ordered the strings and now on my second night of at home noodling with them. Got to say I really like them. Had the compressors on it before (this is my Original 60's P) but did not like them as much as I do on my MIM Classic 50's P. They have a lot more low mid growl than I was expecting. In fact, the E string almost seems too growly and not thick enough, but I have hope it will mellow out and thicken up just a tad with some time, only have like 2hours on them so far. They seem warm yet very open as well, plenty of high end for me, in fact I am rolling the tone down just a tad to get that sweet spot in my ear. Tomorrow night is a full rehearsal so looking forward to seeing how they set in a real mix.
Love talk bass for these kind of discoveries!!

 

[Gab124]

Ok, I finally have more hours on these strings. The E has evened out very nicely and fits in with the rest. Took it to rehearsal tonight........
Man oh man oh man - I really think these are the closest thing to the perfect string for me, at least on this bass, my goodness they are a joy to play. I absolutely love the smooth but present mid range and low end on these, and with this bass they have the best low mid growl I just can't get over it. There are highs, but just enough and not exaggerated. Home run.
Anyway, there ya go,
gab

 

[Hypercaffium]

Yesterday I opened a drawer and found a brand new set of GHS Balanced Nickels (44-106). I think I've bought it together with a set of DR Pure Blues for my P bass. I installed the DR and completely forgot about the GHS. Clearly I loved the DR and they still sound very good, but I'm gonna try these GHS very soon. I never tried them but I suspect they'll match a P bass beautifully.

 

[Lennys]

So i'm going to report on the BN 44-106 strings on my Fender American Special P bass. I had PW's on which I really liked, but noted the dreaded dead spot at 5-7 fret on the G. but they sounded good. Granted my comparison may be with year old PW's but I have had the BN's on for 4 days and as they break in (slight change) I am really impressed. Want the mellow low sound without alot of zing. This bass has the same PU (61276/7 as the American Standard p bass 2008-2012 and some hate it for the scoop. these strings really sound good ie p-bassey. What I am really impressed with is how good they sound with similar balance on the upper frets. The feel smooth enough compared to other RW's I have had. the only question left is how long they will last. Thanks Jon, great job with these.

 

[JRMK]

Ok, I finally have more hours on these strings. The E has evened out very nicely and fits in with the rest. Took it to rehearsal tonight........
Man oh man oh man - I really think these are the closest thing to the perfect string for me, at least on this bass, my goodness they are a joy to play. I absolutely love the smooth but present mid range and low end on these, and with this bass they have the best low mid growl I just can't get over it. There are highs, but just enough and not exaggerated. Home run.
Anyway, there ya go,
gab

Which gauge were these?

Looking for help, I want to go BN route for my PBass. I use super bright nickels 45-125 on my F Bass which is 34.5 scale which makes them just that tad bit stiffer than these would feel on 34 inch, not to mention p bass lends itself for playing over pickup closer to the neck. If I want to retain sort of similar feel to those super brights - should I buy .40 or .44 set?

 

[michael_t]

Looking for help, I want to go BN route for my PBass. I use super bright nickels 45-125 on my F Bass which is 34.5 scale which makes them just that tad bit stiffer than these would feel on 34 inch, not to mention p bass lends itself for playing over pickup closer to the neck. If I want to retain sort of similar feel to those super brights - should I buy .40 or .44 set?

"Super Bright Nickels"... Assuming you're talking about the Dunlop, I would suggest the light set (40-126) of the BN as they're firmer-feeling than the Dunlop SBs despite the round core. Comparing the same gauges, GHS BNs are not as loose-feeling as the Dunlop SBNs.

I've tried the BN Lights on my P bass and I really liked their overall feel - comfortable but not floppy.

 

[JRMK]

Thanks a mill. Actually I re-read my post written from phone and it's not the clearest indeed I meant Dunlops. And I was not clear about the bass: I use those Dunlops on f bass BN5 but am looking for Balanced Nickels to put on my P Bass, hoping for similar feel.
I understand that .40 BNs will feel similar to .45 Super Brights.

Interesting since both are found core but I guess this is partially due to the "balanced tension" part

.