Review: GHS Round Core Bass Boomers

[michael_t]

Yeah, I'm not sure about hex core boomers (just because I haven't used them that much), but I personally would rank Pressurewounds as "brighter" than round core Boomers. At least on my basses, played with my hands, etc.

I replaced the PWs on my Yamaha with a set of regular Boomers (40-120) 5 mths ago, but didn't tell anyone about the change. The very first time I played it in church, the sound tech says to me right at the outset of the soundcheck, "How come your bass is sounding darker than usual? What have you done to it?" So, I told him about the string change. He told me the PWs had better midrange clarity. So, there you go...

 

[michael_t]

I'll report back from time to time how they do for the next 6 mths. Stay tuned...

This is what I wrote exactly a month ago. Well... the RCBs are gone, replaced by GHS Brite Flats 45-98.

My four weeks with the RCBs confirmed my experience with roundwound bass strings in general - I love the tone, but I hate the feel (as in texture).

In terms of their tonal quality, they do live up to the billing by GHS:

Round Core Bass Boomers have a full frequency sound (generous in the low mids) with a clear, soft high end.
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Compared to the tight, punchy lows of the Pressurewounds, the RCBs sound warmer and fuller, but still with good clarity without being overly zingy or harsh or without the grit and grind of the regular Boomers (hex core). They can be a great choice for "sitting just right in the mix" without getting lost or being too aggressive and up-front.

As for me, back to the Pressurewounds and the Brite Flats as my "Nickel-Iron Duo".

 

[Jonathan C]

I just put a set of RC Boomers on a few of my basses including my Stingray Special 5H which had a 3 month old lightly used set of Pressurewounds on it. Took it to band practice last night and I'm pretty happy with the sound, but I think I like the Pressurewounds more on that bass, they tame the brightness of the Stingray to my liking. I'll keep the RC Boomers on for a month to see how they break in.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

I'm coming to believe that the bass does select the strings. Two and a half years ago I bought a Fender American Professional Precision bass. It came with a set of GHS Boomers, which I liked the moment I started playing the bass. But I had previously decided to try a set of Tomastik Infeld Jazz flats on the P-bass, and it turned out I liked those better -- much better than the Boomers. The Jazz flats are still on the P-bass.

Fast forward to a few months ago ... I bought a Fender American Professional II Jazz bass. It came with a set of standard Fender round wounds. Too clanky, not a friendly sound or feel. So I put on a set of TI Jazz flats and everything was good. But a few weeks ago I decided to stop trying the make the Jazz bass sound like the P-bass and let it shine for its own type of sound, and to have a more modern sound. Round wounds where an obvious place to start. I recalled really liking the Boomers on the P-bass, so I put them on the Jazz bass ... and didn't like the sound at all. Way too much grind and grunt for what I play. Didn't like the feel, either.

But after reading this thread, I was curious and bought a set of GHS round core Boomers. Installed the RCs, re-set up the bass, tuned up, and played it. Immediately felt right at home! Perfect feel, perfect tone. The RCs made my Jazz bass everything I hoped it would be.

Are there better options? Who knows. Probably. But as mentioned, the RCs feel like "home" and I'm going to stay here a while and enjoy what I've got!

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

 

[timendous]

I'm coming to believe that the bass does select the strings. Two and a half years ago I bought a Fender American Professional Precision bass. It came with a set of GHS Boomers, which I liked the moment I started playing the bass. But I had previously decided to try a set of Tomastik Infeld Jazz flats on the P-bass, and it turned out I liked those better -- much better than the Boomers. The Jazz flats are still on the P-bass.

Fast forward to a few months ago ... I bought a Fender American Professional II Jazz bass. It came with a set of standard Fender round wounds. Too clanky, not a friendly sound or feel. So I put on a set of TI Jazz flats and everything was good. But a few weeks ago I decided to stop trying the make the Jazz bass sound like the P-bass and let it shine for its own type of sound, and to have a more modern sound. Round wounds where an obvious place to start. I recalled really liking the Boomers on the P-bass, so I put them on the Jazz bass ... and didn't like the sound at all. Way too much grind and grunt for what I play. Didn't like the feel, either.

But after reading this thread, I was curious and bought a set of GHS round core Boomers. Installed the RCs, re-set up the bass, tuned up, and played it. Immediately felt right at home! Perfect feel, perfect tone. The RCs made my Jazz bass everything I hoped it would be.

Are there better options? Who knows. Probably. But as mentioned, the RCs feel like "home" and I'm going to stay here a while and enjoy what I've got!

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

I just put this set on my Bacchus Jazz and am absolutely in love with them. Thank you Ukiah Bass!

 

[etherealme]

What's the longest winding measurements for these round core boomers? Typical GHS 38" long scale winding?

 

[michael_t]

What's the longest winding measurements for these round core boomers? Typical GHS 38" long scale winding?

No, they're 37.25" ball end to taper/silk. Nothing longer or shorter offered by GHS for the RCB.

 

[michael_t]

Typical GHS 38" long scale winding?

38" winding is no longer typical for GHS. Super Steels, Precision Flats and Brite Flats are the three that are still "long plus" with 38" winding.

 

[Phaidrus]

Boomer vs. Boomer...

I just had a 3-mth test run from Dec to Feb with the regular hex-core Boomers 40-95 on my Yamaha, and now the RCB 40-95 on my P-bass. While it won't be an A/B comparison due to two completely different basses, it should be interesting to compare the two nonetheless. The same gauges (40-95), nearly identical tension (140.8 lbs. vs. 141.0) and the same red silk; the only real difference is hex-core vs. round-core.

One of the main questions in my mind as I've been contemplating trying the RCB on my P for the last year is "how light is too light?". At age 64, I like my strings to be nice and easy on my fretting hand, but at the same time, I want a certain degree of firmness for plucking. One thing I can't stand is strings that are so flexible they get all bouncy and flippity-flop under my right hand when I dig in.

This is only my second day with these RCBs, but I did get to spend a fair amount of time noodling on them throughout the day yesterday. And my initial impressions are very favorable regarding the overall playing feel of this set in terms of stiffness/flexibility. While they're very supple and comfortable, they don't feel nearly as loose as I would expect from such a light set of round-core strings; in fact, they don't feel all that drastically different from their hex-core sibling. At least not like comparing, for example, DR Sunbeams (round core) and DR Nickel Lo-Riders (hex core), which have very different playing feels when comparing the same gauges.

Where I've noticed the biggest difference between the two Boomers so far is in their tonal character. While the hex-core Boomers are all about the low-mid punch with grunt and grind and not much else, the RCBs seem to have more to offer in tonal range. The bottom end is warmer and fuller, the midrange richer but smoother with a nice clear top end without being zingy bright or harsh even fresh out of the package. And this tonal character of the RCB seems to match very well with my 2014 Am Std P-bass with the stock CS60 pickups, even better than the Pressurewounds they replaced. And coming from me as a huge Pressurewound fan, that says a lot. (To be continued...)

Thinking of replacing the Fender pure nickel 7150 set on my Pbass with a set of RC Boomers (both 45-105). Looking for "more" tone/character. What do you think? Would the hex Boomers be a better option? Thanks in advance.

 

[michael_t]

Thinking of replacing the Fender pure nickel 7150 set on my Pbass with a set of RC Boomers (both 45-105). Looking for "more" tone/character. What do you think? Would the hex Boomers be a better option? Thanks in advance.

You just quoted me from over 3 yrs ago.

"Character" can be anything... "Low-mid punch with grit and grind" (hex) or "fuller and warmer with a softer attack" (round). I haven't used either of the Boomers since my post and I don't plan to use them again in the future, but if I were to put a set on my P bass, I would probably go with the hex-core Boomers for the grind. Meanwhile, my P bass has been happily purring with the Pressurewounds lately, although I do intend to put a set of flats on it soon.

If you've liked the sound of pure nickel, GHS Balanced Nickels might also be an option for you.

 

[Phaidrus]

You just quoted me from over 3 yrs ago.

"Character" can be anything... "Low-mid punch with grit and grind" (hex) or "fuller and warmer with a softer attack" (round). I haven't used either of the Boomers since my post and I don't plan to use them again in the future, but if I were to put a set on my P bass, I would probably go with the hex-core Boomers for the grind. Meanwhile, my P bass has been happily purring with the Pressurewounds lately, although I do intend to put a set of flats on it soon.

If you've liked the sound of pure nickel, GHS Balanced Nickels might also be an option for you.

Thanks for replying!

Low-mid punch with grit and grind (hex) vs fuller and warmer with a softer attack (round), hmm... I'm not sure.

It's intended mainly for two genres: post punk (e.g. The Cure, Siouxsie & the Banshees) and stoner rock (e.g. Kyuss, Goat), namely a thick, saturated overdriven SVTesque tone, yet not harsh-zingy. By the way, I'm playing through a Markbass rig (which is warm but clean), so, to the extent possible, strings should compensate for that too.

What do you think, also open to other suggestions.

Edit: Bass players in the aforementioned genres typically play/used to play Rotos. But they also often played/play through SVTs, which also helped shape their tone. Perhaps then the hex Boomers are the most appropriate choice.

 

[michael_t]

...a thick, saturated overdriven SVTesque tone, yet not harsh-zingy...

Sounds like the hex core Boomers may be a better choice for that. I did like the smoother character of the RCB, but better on a J than a P. When I put rounds on my P, I'd like to have some bark and bite, and the hex core Boomers would be better for it, I think...

 

[Phaidrus]

Sounds like the hex core Boomers may be a better choice for that. I did like the smoother character of the RCB, but better on a J than a P. When I put rounds on my P, I'd like to have some bark and bite, and the hex core Boomers would be better for it, I think...

Think you're right, thanks. I'll give the hex Boomers a go.