Which bass for GHS Pressurewounds?

[nickpc]

So I 've ordered a set of GHS ML7200 Pressurewounds that will get here Saturday, intending them for my 2016 Fender MIM Special Edition Deluxe PJ (which I have to fix a stripped out pickup adjustment screws hole on, so it's getting torn down a bit anyway), but now, as I wait for them to arrive, I'm questioning if I should put them on a different bass. Yes, all the options will be Fenders, and no, I will not buy another bass just for these strings (this is TB - someone is bound to suggest that!).

This will be binding, at least until I get the strings in hand and then

 

[red_rhino]

I voted for the jazz bass, but only because I’ve had PW’s on a jazz before and liked it. I’ve had PW’s on other basses too and they worked out very well. I think you’ll get a good sense of what they’re about no matter which bass you put them on.

 

[trothwell]

I just took a set off of my 2014 US Jazz after being on there for something like 15 months. Perhaps obviously, I think they sound good there, but, to me, they also make my Jazz Bass sound less like what I think a Jazz Bass ought to sound like, and more like something else. Whether if that is desirable or not is a matter of taste. So I voted for the Precision Bass, for that reason. (I've used them on a Precision bass too, and did not experience that same level of tonal disparity!)

 

[michael_t]

The PWs have always sounded better on my J's than on my P. The mid-forward character of Alloy 52 (nickel-iron) seems to complement the natural scoop of the J better than the P, which can sound "messy" (too much mids?), at least to my ears.

Meanwhile, I do have the Ken Smith Compressors, which are essentially the same Alloy 52 "rollerwound" as the PW, on my Ibanez SR650E, a reverse PJ, and they're doing alright there.

 

[michael_t]

I just took a set off of my 2014 US Jazz after being on there for something like 15 months. Perhaps obviously, I think they sound good there, but, to me, they also make my Jazz Bass sound less like what I think a Jazz Bass ought to sound like, and more like something else. Whether if that is desirable or not is a matter of taste. So I voted for the Precision Bass, for that reason. (I've used them on a Precision bass too, and did not experience that same level of tonal disparity!)

There are two basic approaches to string selection...

1. To "fill in the void" by providing what may be lacking. For example, a mid-forward string on a scooped bass (J).
2. To enhance and reinforce the natural character of the bass. For example, a mid-forward string on a mid-forward bass (P).

It's just a matter of experimenting enough to know what works best for you personally. Let your ears decide.

 

[jallenbass]

All of them. It's the only string I use anymore.

 

[trothwell]

There are two basic approaches to string selection...

1. To "fill in the void" by providing what may be lacking. For example, a mid-forward string on a scooped bass (J).
2. To enhance and reinforce the natural character of the bass. For example, a mid-forward string on a mid-forward bass (P).

It's just a matter of experimenting enough to know what works best for you personally. Let your ears decide.

To add more detail, I have found, on my Jazz Bass (with my hands, my ears, etc.), the GHS Pressurewounds add quite a bit of midrange.

On one hand, I think this is good. I like the sound.

On the other hand, I find that it fills in the tone so much that

a) The both-pickups sound is unusually full, and not what I have come to expect -- though it sounds excellent
b) The front-pickup sound is also unusually full, and I miss some of the pure clarity
c) The back-pickup sound actually is full enough to be pretty usable by itself, which maybe isn't always the case with other strings

So for me, it's a mixed outcome. I definitely like it, but it no longer sounds like what I expect from a Jazz Bass. It's, like, a beefier, supercharged Jazz Bass. One of those cases where maybe you really need two of them (or five) to put different strings on...

 

[michael_t]

a) The both-pickups sound is unusually full, and not what I have come to expect -- though it sounds excellent

This is how I play my J's all the time, and I like the way PWs add extra meat to the tone. It may not be the "traditional" J bass tone as defined by some, but that really doesn't matter to me; I like the way my J sits in the mix with PWs on it. That's what counts.

 

[ClassicJazz]

Love those strings! I have them on my Fender Player II P-Bass. And I use them on both my 1979 Kramers. Here is a clip playing my DMZ 6000B with the GHS Strings. Awesome tone!

 

[Dincrest]

I picked Jazz bass since I think the extra meat and midrange from them will give the Jazz some extra beef to thicken up the mix. But, truth be told, they sound pretty damn good on any bass. I know this is an old video, but Dave Pomeroy... Pressurewound Bass Strings

They were on a PJ Soundgear I used to own and sounded terrific. And I want to try them on my current bass (a Prestige Soundgear with ash body, wenge/walnut neck, wenge fingerboard, and Barts). I love the tone and feel of the 45-100 GHS Roundcore Boomers I currently have on it, but need a little extra oomph in a band mix that I think a set of 44-102 PWs can bring.

 

[Ostie]

You’re all wrong. The correct answer is: Buy a new bass for the strings!

 

[logdrum]

No need to be shy, your basses are happy with the current strings please don't mess with them (don't fix what's not broken) You need a new bass for those strings. That's what happens usually - in a week you'll be posting here and say: "The strings pressured me and I wound up with this German Hot Sadowsky bass -- which I discovered is the acronym of this string company."

 

[nickpc]

Due to the comments, not the vote itself, and actually going 100% against the vote (as this bass got zero votes), they're going on the PJ.

c) The back-pickup sound actually is full enough to be pretty usable by itself, which maybe isn't always the case with other strings

Enhancing the sound of the bridge jazz pickup solo'ed will make this bass more versatile to use for me, and that's a good thing!

 

[OldNARDGuy]

All of them. It's the only string I use anymore.

Same here.

 

[PBandJazzBass]

Asked this question in another thread but didn’t hear anything. Has anyone on here used the pressurewounds with a bass that has EMG’s?

I’m thinking about putting a set on my Schecter. My experience so far has been the EMG’s get along with some strings better than others.

 

[Yahboy]

So I 've ordered a set of GHS ML7200 Pressurewounds that will get here Saturday, intending them for my 2016 Fender MIM Special Edition Deluxe PJ (which I have to fix a stripped out pickup adjustment screws hole on, so it's getting torn down a bit anyway), but now, as I wait for them to arrive, I'm questioning if I should put them on a different bass. Yes, all the options will be Fenders, and no, I will not buy another bass just for these strings (this is TB - someone is bound to suggest that!).

This will be binding, at least until I get the strings in hand and then

Put on the bass which has naturally brighter tone.

 

[nickpc]

They're on! Loving the feel under my fingers, and the black silks look great on this bass (Fender stock image here - the black silks stand out really nicely on the maple headstock):

No immediate setup needed to be playable, but I'll go over things after they settle in (and I get to play them a bit). Looking forward to plugging in and hearing how they sound!

 

[Hawk620]

I've always enjoyed them on my Jazz Basses and my G&L L and M Series basses. I've not found a better string match for any of those basses. There's really nothing not to like about them.

But I also have a set on a P/J Bass. What I like about them there is much the same. Their very tonally dynamic so they respond very well to changes in EQ as well as rolling in some of the bridge Jazz pickup. With the EQ pulled back and a mute on the strings they can get into flatwound territory but with greater clarity, more sustain, and less "thud". They're just a very versatile string.

 

[Element Zero]

Excited to put these on my Dingwall NG3 later tonight.