Sean Hurley Playing At Sacred Ground Studios - Precision Flat or RW

[JulienP.]

Hi,

lately I'm looking to buy a Fender American Original 63 Precision.
I don't have experience with Precision or flat strings.

I wanted to know if you get part of this tone below with flat or Roundwound? Is it obvious or more complicated (signal chain ect...)



Thanks!

 

[smeet]

Flats. But with proper technique you can get a similar (but not identical tone) with rounds.

 

[michael_t]

The last time I checked, SH was using La Bella 760FL flats.

He also uses foam mute.

 

[Marihino]

In the several hours long interview (called a course or masterclass or whatever) at SBL he said his two main basses are two P-basses, one with flats, one with rounds. Don't recall him saying which strings either were. Pretty safe guess one with flats gets used more.

 

[Vinnie Boombatz]

Flats for sure.

But what's the purpose of the clamps and pieces of wood on either side of the Goliath cabinet? To prevent rattles?

 

[michael_t]

Ihe said his two main basses are two P-basses, one with flats, one with rounds. Don't recall him saying which strings either were. Pretty safe guess one with flats gets used more.

For rounds, SH uses La Bella Rx Nickels 45-105.

 

[michael_t]

According to this interview in BP from 2010, La Bella Slappers 45-105 for rounds, and 760FL for flats.

https://www.bassplayer.com/artists/sean-hurley-on-john-mayer-and-the-la-session-scene

 

[Marihino]

Cool, good to know. For rounds I'm set, but 760FL and GHS Precision are definitely on a "to try" list. When I only get around to assembling that bucket of P bass parts..

 

[michael_t]

760FL and GHS Precision are definitely on a "to try" list.

La Bella 760FL used to be my go-to flats for my P bass. Then tried the GHS Precision Flats (45-95) 7 mths ago. No turning back now.

 

[petrus61]

That sounds like rounds with a mute.

 

[Marihino]

La Bella 760FL used to be my go-to flats for my P bass. Then tried the GHS Precision Flats (45-95) 7 mths ago. No turning back now.

That's what I keep reading here. Everything you've written here about 9050s pretty much covers my experience with them, so I take your word. Just need to put the P bass together as I'm super happy with how other three are strung.

To get back on topic somewhat, that Sean Hurley footage at SBL is really nice for those who haven't seen it. Especially the "live in the studio" type trio performances.

 

[JulienP.]

Thanks all All the good info I get from Talkbass community helps me a lot.

That sounds like rounds with a mute.

Thanks i tried on my Yamaha Geezers with old GHS Boomers and a foam mute, for the tone it's getting much closer.
I'll order also some flats LaBella 760FL or GHS P.
Now I need to go to the shop to try again these American Original 50 or 63...

 

[Vinnie Boombatz]

La Bella 760FL used to be my go-to flats for my P bass. Then tried the GHS Precision Flats (45-95) 7 mths ago. No turning back now.

I have GHS Precision Flats on one P bass and LaBella 760FL's on another (and TI Jazz flats on another P, and a set of 9050L's in a J) and like them all.

 

[JulienP.]

I'm reading this interesting thread GHS Precision Flats vs Labella 760FS - My Impressions

 

[michael_t]

I'm reading this interesting thread GHS Precision Flats vs Labella 760FS - My Impressions

Very interesting reading my own posts from a few years ago.

This was a time when I was all about "balanced tension" and my go-to gauges were "45-60-80-105". Fender 9050CL (45-60-80-105) and La Bella 760FL (43-60-82-104) offered what I wanted. I would have never considered GHS Precision Flats back then because they only came in "medium" (45-65-85-105, a little too heavy on D & A) or "light" (45-60-75-95, seems awfully tension-unbalanced). Besides, they were too long (38" winding length). (NOTE: GHS does offer CM3050, 45-60-80-105, now.)

Fast forward a few years... You could say I've matured as a bassist (), I've come to a simple realization that "balanced tension" doesn't guarantee "balanced tone" on all basses. Now I select my strings based more on their "tonal balance" and how they sit in the mix overall than on their tension numbers. And that's how I've come to love the GHS Precision Flats (45-95) on my 2014 Am Std P bass during the last 7 mths. Just my experience...

 

[michael_t]

That's what I keep reading here. Everything you've written here about 9050s pretty much covers my experience with them, so I take your word.

Now that's a scary thought...

 

[Marihino]

So are GHS flats even available in winding length correct for their namesake bass?

 

[michael_t]

So are GHS flats even available in winding length correct for their namesake bass?

Unfortunately, no. Complained to them a few times; in fact, this was the one thing that kept me from trying them for some time.

That said, they're constructed in a way they're pliable enough to go around the tuner post with no issues. Or, put them thru-body if that's an option.

Here's mine top-loaded on my Am Std P:

 

[Marihino]

Unfortunately, no. Complained to them a few times; in fact, this was the one thing that kept me from trying them for some time.

That said, they're constructed in a way they're pliable enough to go around the tuner post with no issues. Or, put them thru-body if that's an option.

Here's mine top-loaded on my Am Std P:

View attachment 3321008

Not a dealbreaker, tapewound D'Addario do the same thing on my fretless. Annoying though. So which set is it? Long scale plus?

 

[michael_t]

Not a dealbreaker, tapewound D'Addario do the same thing on my fretless. Annoying though. So which set is it? Long scale plus?

Yes, "Long Scale Plus" = 38" winding length. GHS does offer the 126 low B in "universal long scale" (37.25"); I just wish they would do the same with the E. G-D-A don't matter as much.

EDIT: By the way, I like what La Bella has done with their flatwound sets - 36.75" winding length for the E.