Review: GHS Balanced Nickels 4M-NB

[michael_t]

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

Dunlop Super Brights are actually hex core but they're more flexible due to the very small diameter of the core wire.

Also, keep in mind one of the main differences between them is pure nickel (BN) vs. nickel-plated steel (SBN), which results in a very different tonal character.

 

[JRMK]

Dunlop Super Brights are actually hex core but they're more flexible due to the very small diameter of the core wire.

Also, keep in mind one of the main differences between them is pure nickel (BN) vs. nickel-plated steel (SBN), which results in a very different tonal character.

Wow didn't know DSB are hex! I learned something today thanks a lot. I will go 40-101 path for BNs and hopefully report back in some time

 

[Heavy Blue]

I’m now wondering if the BN’s might be the right string for my P bass.

I tried PW’s and to me they were a hot mess in the mids. It was really brassy with not a lot of bottom, instant ear fatigue. Maybe the stock Squier pup at play perhaps?

I liked them much more on my Jazz Bass but even then there’s other strings that I prefer for home. I bet they would be great for a rock band though. I think they would slice through the mix like butter. *puts PW’s away till I get another J bass or a gig with a rock band*.

Anyways, I have ran Precision Flats on it and they were great but my Jazz has them now so I’d like to have something a little brighter/clearer for the P. All the rounds I’ve tried on it so far have been the same. Too zingy, too many overtones, not enough fundamental.

I have a set of D’addario Half Rounds on it now and it’s a step in the right direction but I’d like a little more bottom and clarity with a similar rounded top. They’re a good string but they don’t make me go “wow” either.

I’ve ordered some Brite Flats to try next and am waiting for them to arrive but now these BN’s seem to be a solid candidate as well.

Decisions, decisions...

 

[michael_t]

I tried PW’s and to me they were a hot mess in the mids. It was really brassy with not a lot of bottom, instant ear fatigue. Maybe the stock Squier pup at play perhaps?

Alloy 52 certainly has a mid-forward character that may not work well with every bass. The Brite Flats would tone down those "ear-tiring" mids to a certain degree by taking you one step closer to the flatwound territory in tone.

I have ran Precision Flats on it and they were great but my Jazz has them now so I’d like to have something a little brighter/clearer for the P. All the rounds I’ve tried on it so far have been the same. Too zingy, too many overtones, not enough fundamental.

I did try the Balanced Nickels on my P a couple of years ago and loved the way they matched up with the natural P bass character. Deep, focused lows with much smoother mids, thanks to pure nickel on a round core, vs. Alloy 52 on a hex core (PW).

Round Core Boomers may also be a good option for you for a non-zingy roundwound with a strong low-mid presence.

 

[Heavy Blue]

Alloy 52 certainly has a mid-forward character that may not work well with every bass. The Brite Flats would tone down those "ear-tiring" mids to a certain degree by taking you one step closer to the flatwound territory in tone.



I did try the Balanced Nickels on my P a couple of years ago and loved the way they matched up with the natural P bass character. Deep, focused lows with much smoother mids, thanks to pure nickel on a round core, vs. Alloy 52 on a hex core (PW).

Round Core Boomers may also be a good option for you for a non-zingy roundwound with a strong low-mid presence.

I’m looking forward to using the Brite Flats soon to see how they compare to the D’ad Half Rounds and the BN’s as you describe them seem to be exactly what I want in my P if the BF’s don’t work out. I just read that thread where you had them on your P and it sounds like they’re warm & strong, girth but with clarity. I can’t remember now. Did you play them with a pick? I don’t play with a pick much but I like that P bass with rounds and a pick sound. Could the BN’s do that or would that be more RCB territory?

The RCB’s might even be an option as regular Boomers are the only round that I’ve liked up till now for my Fenders but I think I’ll try the BN’s first before the RCB’s but who knows? I might like the BF’s and call it done (but probably not lol). The PW’s would still be an good option for a rock band though. I really like their feel and top end and in a mix I think the mids would fit nicely. I’m not currently playing outside the house these days though.

Now I need a P for flats. Good reason to get a Player P. I’m very happy with my Player Jazz so far but I still want to try out the P Bass/Original ’54 LaBella’s combination at some point (for probably an hour with those cables than I’ll go back to P Flats again lol) and my Squier P is currently wearing a Jazz neck and I think it’s probably not a good idea to put a Jazz neck with that kind of tension.

I’m under the impression that the Player’s Series were designed with the vintage sound at heart and with the bigger neck it gives that laid back feel. If I ever get back in a band again I find that I like the bigger necks for gigging with. I like the Jazz necks for playing at home or learning or experimenting around with new material. The Player neck seems to fill out the hand a little more for perhaps more comfortable gigging than the Squier one though which imo is exceptionally thin for an FSO neck but it’s great for learning new material on and for slapping though.

 

[michael_t]

I just read that thread where you had them on your P and it sounds like they’re warm & strong, girth but with clarity. I can’t remember now. Did you play them with a pick? I don’t play with a pick much but I like that P bass with rounds and a pick sound. Could the BN’s do that or would that be more RCB territory?

I'm a 100% finger-style player. No pick, no slap. If I were a pick player, I would probably put the BFs on my P as I like the sound of flats on a P played with a pick in classic rock. (Think Peter Cetera of Chicago.) They would give me enough of the flatwound vibe without losing the roundwound clarity and definition.

If I were a slapper... wait, never mind... that'll never happen.

The PW’s would still be an good option for a rock band though. I really like their feel and top end and in a mix I think the mids would fit nicely. I’m not currently playing outside the house these days though.

I was thinking about what you wrote earlier about "ear-fatiguing mids" of the PWs, and trying to figure out why they have worked so well for me personally.

Ever since I started playing actively in church in 2013, I've always played my bass either through the SansAmp BDDI at church or the VT Bass DI at home with a generous amount of the tube emulation dialed in. And one of the things that happen with the SansAmp tube emulation is it actually suppresses some of the mids while adding extra body and tubey warmth to the low end. So, strings with a mid-forward character tend to work quite well with that particular setup.

Something I've learned over the years is the true test for any strings is how they sound in a live band mix, not how they sound through the headphones during a quiet home practice.

 

[PBandJazzBass]

I'm a longtime fan of the Boomers but I'm considering trying the Balanced Nickels.

I know another company that makes round-core strings recommends crimping the string before cutting. Is that the same story with these?

 

[michael_t]

I know another company that makes round-core strings recommends crimping the string before cutting. Is that the same story with these?

GHS round-core strings, both the Balanced Nickels and the Round Core Boomers, are designed and constructed in a way crimping is not necessary.

 

[PBandJazzBass]

GHS round-core strings, both the Balanced Nickels and the Round Core Boomers, are designed and constructed in a way crimping is not necessary.

Thank you!

 

[PBandJazzBass]

After thinking about it off and on, I finally ordered a set directly from GHS.

We’ll see what happens when they arrive, but I’m hopeful.

 

[PBandJazzBass]

Just put a set (40-101) on my Fender American Standard Jazz.

The feel is really nice. Very smooth for a round wound and supple. I know they’re fresh so I’ll have to give them some time to settle down. I’m not a big fan of “that new string sound.” So far I’ve only listened with my headphones through 2 different amps due to the hour of the evening.

I guess what I’m looking for is something like the Boomers but more flexible, shorter break in time, and overall darker character.

 

[michael_t]

I guess what I’m looking for is something like the Boomers but more flexible, shorter break in time, and overall darker character.

Based on my experience, BNs are definitely warmer and smoother with less of the "grit and grind" of the Boomers, thanks to the pure nickel wrap on a round core. I also liked the idea the round cores by GHS are not as loose-feeling as the ones by DR. Comfy but not floppy. Pure nickel also means once they settle, their broken-in tone lasts quite a while.

 

[PBandJazzBass]

I’ve only had them on my bass for a couple days but I’m really surprised by how bright they are.

Wasn’t really expecting that with the pure nickel.

 

[BOOG]

I just ordered a set of BN’s from FretNation for my euro lt4. The stock strings were replaced within a week. First with a set of used GHS HCBB’s and then with a set of used Rotosound SB66 Nickels that I had laying around. After getting to know that bass for the majority of this year and from all of the descriptors, I’m optimistic that I’ve found what that bass needs. We’ll see.

 

[BOOG]

I just ordered a set of BN’s from FretNation for my euro lt4. The stock strings were replaced within a week. First with a set of used GHS HCBB’s and then with a set of used Rotosound SB66 Nickels that I had laying around. After getting to know that bass for the majority of this year and from all of the descriptors, I’m optimistic that I’ve found what that bass needs. We’ll see.

Hey all, just checking in after about a week of having the BN’s on. Setup wasn’t terrible and only required a quarter turn for the action. The feel was a little courser than I guessed it would be but that will probably mellow out over time.
This might not be a popular opinion around here and I also don’t mean it in a negative way but, has anyone else thought they sound more guitar like and less bass like in resonance/timbre?

 

[michael_t]

has anyone else thought they sound more guitar like and less bass like in resonance/timbre?

I'm not quite understanding the difference between "guitar like" and "bass like".

I tried the light set (40-101) on my P bass in the past and liked the way these strings brought out the punchy warmth without losing clarity and articulation.

 

[BOOG]

I'm not quite understanding the difference between "guitar like" and "bass like".

I tried the light set (40-101) on my P bass in the past and liked the way these strings brought out the punchy warmth without losing clarity and articulation.

As always, it’s near impossible to describe tone/timbre via text. They just don’t have as much girth in tone. Might be the result of having less wrap layers.

 

[rzero]

As always, it’s near impossible to describe tone/timbre via text. They just don’t have as much girth in tone. Might be the result of having less wrap layers.

I don't remember the tone of new BNs at this point, but broken in they are quite fat.

 

[BOOG]

Ye

I don't remember the tone of new BNs at this point, but broken in they are quite fat.

Yeah, I’m going to give them a chance and let’m settle in. They are not like DR Pure Blues with that “nearly settled in” type of characteristics though.

 

[BOOG]

I'm not quite understanding the difference between "guitar like" and "bass like".

I tried the light set (40-101) on my P bass in the past and liked the way these strings brought out the punchy warmth without losing clarity and articulation.

I’ll give this a shot…
Guitar like-more of a ring to the note
Bass like- girthy fat and blossoming
Like I said, I will leave them on for a few weeks/months and see how they settle in.