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Post subject: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 5:16 am
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Good Afternoon,

I currently have a set of GHS Precision Flats on my US Standard Precision. All is well so far, except the E string. It sounds quite dull or dead, with less sustain.

String setup is OK. Enough windings, so that the E string goes all the way down on the tuner post. No twist in the E string, and I have eliminated the little bow that comes up with fresh strings on the bridge sattles.

Do you guys have any experience with dull E strings? Is there anything else I could try to get the E string back to life? Or am I supposed to play this string set until the other three strings will also go dead?

Appreciate your responses! THX


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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 5:47 am
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:?: Is this the same set you put on last year in this thread http://forums.fender.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=86506&hilit=ghs+precision+flats&start=0 :?:

Here's a link to a well received review I wrote on another forum. http://www.talkbass.com/threads/praise-report-ghs-precision-flats.1009326/

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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 6:09 am
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No it's not.

The E string of the last years set was also dull and I replaced it by a set of Fender 9050L (great strings BTW). So now after a few months time I deceided to give GHS Precision Flats another chance and bought them again. Due to the fact that so many bass players seem to be happy with it.

The other three strings are really fine soundwise. The whole set feels good and I would be a lucky man, if not this damn E string would be so dull.

People are saying that they need a while to break in and to balance out. I am just not sure what to expect from this "break in" period. Will the E string adapt to the other three strings? So that it will get brighter and with some more sustain. Or will the other three strings adapt to the E string? Getting more thuddy and dull.

EDIT: Could you please explain me what has happened to your strings during the brake in time? All strings dull now?


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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 6:33 am
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After the break in period all the strings will have a similar thumpy sound. Dull isn't really a good way to describe flats. At least good ones. They aren't bright, but they are rich and thick. Dull, or lifeless is another issue and may be more to do with the quality of strings. I've never heard of anyone using GHS flats, but that doesn't really mean anything.

Personally, I prefer the Fender M or MLs depending on the bass. Some guys swear by Rotos, Labellas or Thomastik. All are great strings in my opinion depending on what tone you're chasing. I would recommend any of these brands.

Honestly, even my E string is usually "clanky" or "bright" in a new set. It's kind of odd that one isn't but the rest are. Though mine don't stay clanky for long. Usually a day or two. The "break in" period will vary depending on how much you play and how often. I can break in a set of flats easy in under a week. However, I play a bit almost every single day, and either have a full blown rehearsal or gig every weekend where we play for four hours. If you don't play very often it can take quite awhile I'd imagine.

Good luck!

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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 6:36 am
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As an aside. You mention getting life back into the E string. Are you chasing an Iron Maiden type tone? Steve Harris plays Roto flats. However, he also changes them after every single gig. (which is expensive as hell) Playing flats for highs and clank isn't the usual way to go. As they tend to lose it fairly quickly with steady play. Generally if you want a bright sound. You play rounds.

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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 6:53 am
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If you'll read my review you'll see that I found the the tone and attack of the E string to be superb. My Precision is a sustain machine with a BadAss Bass Bridge and Custom made stainless steel nut, and the body itself is super resonant.

None of my strings were ever "dull or thuddy" and still aren't nearly a year later. They are intensely focused on the fundamental. You pluck an open E and you get 41.2 Hz with some subdued upper harmonics, but not many. The attack is a clear and well focused punch. All of this right out of the pack. If you call this "dull & thuddy" then this is not the stringset for you.

If you want upper end brightness in a flat Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats or D'Addario Chromes would be good choices. I would only string through the bridge no matter what anybody says. Play them in for at least 100 hours, and be prepared to make ongoing tweaks to the setup as the strings settle in. This goes for all flats. I've found six months of playing to be a magic amount of seasoning, and from that point on the strings will be extremely stable and last for many many years of play even if you're playing professionally four hours or more a day. My T-I's lasted seven years before I needed to replace them, and fully expect the same or longer life from my GHS Precision Flats.

Or just forget flats and just go roundwound. Tons of top end & sustain. Change strings every three months.

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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 7:30 am
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Appreciate your replies!

Lillin,
I am here:

At first I was so completely disappointed that I called GHS in anger. They were the most horrendously unbalanced stringset I had ever played in my entire life! I've been playing bass for 44 years, so Grrrrrr! :mad: is a vast understatement. I was ready to rip them off my bass and demand a full refund. The GHS customer service rep told me that they would balance out after about a month of being played in. I was not happy and more than a little leary.

However I name the E string, dead or dull or thuddy or whatever, I am currently at exactly this point: The first section of your review. I guess you understand how I feel.

I know what to expect from flats, therefore it is not a question of flats or rounds, it is a question of GHS or not GHS.


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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 7:44 am
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linnin wrote:
If you'll read my review you'll see that I found the the tone and attack of the E string to be superb. My Precision is a sustain machine with a BadAss Bass Bridge and Custom made stainless steel nut, and the body itself is super resonant.



My classic 70's Precision has a Bad $@! bridge and is much the same. (with Fender flats) It has tons of sustain. Also, my AVS 57RI has the vintage style threaded saddle and has a shocking amount of sustain with flats.


Quote:
None of my strings were ever "dull or thuddy" and still aren't nearly a year later. They are intensely focused on the fundamental. You pluck an open E and you get 41.2 Hz with some subdued upper harmonics, but not many. The attack is a clear and well focused punch. All of this right out of the pack. If you call this "dull & thuddy" then this is not the stringset for you.


I think this is the key right here. I think what the OP might be looking for in a string set might not be what you would normally use flats for. (again, unless you're Steve Harris and have access to an unlimited supply)

Quote:

If you want upper end brightness in a flat Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats or D'Addario Chromes would be good choices. I would only string through the bridge no matter what anybody says. Play them in for at least 100 hours, and be prepared to make ongoing tweaks to the setup as the strings settle in. This goes for all flats. I've found six months of playing to be a magic amount of seasoning, and from that point on the strings will be extremely stable and last for many many years of play even if you're playing professionally four hours or more a day. My T-I's lasted seven years before I needed to replace them, and fully expect the same or longer life from my GHS Precision Flats.


My previous long life set was on my 51 RI, and those lasted 7 years until I sold the bass and saw absolutely ZERO signs of needing to be changed. They still sounded incredible and were stable. That bass had gorgeous highs. The single coil P pick up brings out the highs smoothly and beautifullly anyhow. Couple with flats it borders on heavenly. I've never had the issues of needing that long of a break in time, or needing constant adjustment, though. On all my Precisions it's usually the initial set up and on my Classic 70's and FSR it's just been the seasonal adjustments after that, and checking intonation routinely. My 51RI's neck never moved in 7 years. That's probably not the norm for basses, though. Seems to be the thick 50's spec maple necks are very stable. Any rosewood board necks I've ever played have always been a bit more temperamental.

Quote:
Or just forget flats and just go roundwound. Tons of top end & sustain. Change strings every three months.


::shudder:: :shock:

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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 7:50 am
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If you've had this problem before with GHS, but liked the Fenders I would just get a set of Fenders. There are plenty of good flats out there. It also depends on your bass. Certain P basses bring out different ranges. Not even just single or split coil. Or even pick up series. (57, 62, modern, ect.) Each bass is a little different. So if GHS's don't work well with your bass then just try something else.

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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 8:37 am
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LoveMeFender wrote:
Appreciate your replies!

Linnin,
I am here:

At first I was so completely disappointed that I called GHS in anger. They were the most horrendously unbalanced stringset I had ever played in my entire life! I've been playing bass for 44 years, so Grrrrrr! :mad: is a vast understatement. I was ready to rip them off my bass and demand a full refund. The GHS customer service rep told me that they would balance out after about a month of being played in. I was not happy and more than a little leary.

However I name the E string, dead or dull or thuddy or whatever, I am currently at exactly this point: The first section of your review. I guess you understand how I feel.

I know what to expect from flats, therefore it is not a question of flats or rounds, it is a question of GHS or not GHS.

Yeah, and my very next sentence is this If the E-string hadn't have sounded GREAT straight away I wouldn't have given these strings another chance. Why are you changing strings willy-nilly from this to that and back again? :|

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One day they shall name a GREAT city after me, and they shall call it LINNINGRAD


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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 10:46 am
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D'Addario Chromes sound good. Clear, and crisp tones also.

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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 11:21 am
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Mr. Nylon wrote:
D'Addario Chromes sound good. Clear, and crisp tones also.


What!? No screw the flats and go for black nylon wraps?

I'm sooooo disappointed :cry: boo-hoo-hoo-hoo

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One day they shall name a GREAT city after me, and they shall call it LINNINGRAD


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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 3:57 pm
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Since this issue has come up before, may I just mention that it could possibly just be room acoustics. This phenomenon is overlooked by most bassists but it is well known to sound technicians who set up the equipment on-stage. I can duplicate your symptom by merely facing one of my combos toward a wall closer than 12 feet away rather than aiming it on the long dimension of the room at 27 feet. All 7 of my basses use GHS M3050 or M3050-5XL Precision flats and all of my basses are fine in open venues where the speakers can 'breathe' and the pressure wave doesn't start bouncing off walls close by cancelling out part of that wave as it crashes into itself. Your ears hear the wave collision as a washed out sound. Take your setup somewhere that has over 500 square feet of space with a high ceiling and test. I'm sure that you will see a difference. Good luck....


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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 7:34 pm
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linnin wrote:
Mr. Nylon wrote:
D'Addario Chromes sound good. Clear, and crisp tones also.


What!? No screw the flats and go for black nylon wraps?

I'm sooooo disappointed :cry: boo-hoo-hoo-hoo


OH well. I like em'. Everybody has their own preference. I've never been disappointed with them. D'Addario flats would be my choice for flats.

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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 9:30 pm
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I have purchased over 1000 sets of bass strings. It is not common but it does so happen that once in a while you can get a string that is just...well... dull. Sometimes you can get a set of strings that have out lived their shelf life ( mostly back when). They may look "wavey" when you take one out of it's sleeve (paper)- that's what a dull string looks like. That's also what a stretched out old string looks like. Try another E string.

It could also be something with the angle from the tuner barrel to the nut. Maybe something up with the neck?


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