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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 11:09 am
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Paducah Luke is onto something there, it is called a standing wave. But since the other flats you tried don't have the same issue in the same location that might not be the actual issue here. Instead it might be your instrument. Try adjusting the pickup height under the E string, lowering it a tad at first. If it gets worse raise it. Worth a try! Many balance issues can be mitigated this way. Get the magnet in the pickup too close to the string and it deadens the string by literally HOLDING it in place. The larger the mass of the string the further the magnet needs to be from it in order to avoid magnetic dampening. The GHS Precisions are pretty dense. You can feel their weight unlike some other strings which feel much lighter. The same is true for the Thomasik-Infeld EB344 PowerBass round set, which is maybe the heaviest string weight wise that I use. Any high mass string will be more prone to this same effect.

The rest of this response is my PERSONAL opinion. Strings are a VERY personal thing. What works best for me will NOT work best for everyone else or maybe anyone else. It would be silly to say there is one perfect set right for everyone or every particular copy of a certain model of instrument.

You don't say WHICH GHS Precision Flatwound set is giving you less than good E string tone. There are at least FOUR different ones counting the Steve Harris set which is essentially the same string in different gauges. I've never used the Steve Harris set, but the difference in tone between the 3025, 3050M and 3050 regular sets I have used is very obvious in only a few minutes use. The 3025 is possibly the best flats for any funk or intense style play for me. I like the 3025 set very much. I also like the 3050 Regular set for old school thump stuff. The 3050M's lack the clarity and flexibility of the 3025 set while also lacking the major league thump of the 3050 Regulars. The 3050 Regulars are dang close to the Labella 760M set in tone but the GHS 3050 Regulars have lower tension than the venerable old school Labella set.

GHS 3050M's are the sets most dealers stock for some reason yet they are my least favorite GHS flat set. They lack the modern character and versatility of the 3025's. The 3050M set almost but not quite gets there vintage tone wise, which is done far better by the 3050 Regular set. To me the 3050M set lacks COLOR. I am a person who likes extremes. Extremely one way, or extremely the other. I'm not a Mr. In-Between.

I suggest playing with your pickup height first, then trying the 3025's before bailing on GHS altogether. The 3025 set has a great bright tone when fresh and they sound balanced from day 1. Due their smaller mass they are not as prone to pickup dampening. I really like them a lot and they are one of my 3 favorite string sets.

I also use the Thomastik-Infeld JF344 Jazz Flats that were mentioned as "bright" sounding. They are NOT bass heavy flats but I would describe them as more middle of the road set tone wise than as a bright set. Jazz Flats are a great recording string because of their vanilla tone and good balance, but they are impossible to get any tonal extremes from on a passive instrument. When new they have so much sustain and overtones that I have to felt mute them for several months. They don't do clank tones at all since they are flat, they don't do slapping, popping, tapping or pulls well since they are ultra-low tension, they lack the traditional flat thump present in about any other flat which is also probably because of the low tension. Other light gauge flat sets like the GHS 3025's have more upper mids which we associate with "bright" on an electric bass, but don't last as long of course.

Jazz Flats are great strings for a middle of the road predictable tone and yes they do in fact last seemingly FOREVER. But they do NOT have a traditional flat tone when new, when old or anywhere in between and they are not the brightest flat I've tried either. I use them but they are best suited for a bass where you can get some bass and treble boost from an active EQ or by a pick player. With a pick they do have a brighter character, but so does any other string you could name. The Jazz Flat's ultra low tension makes them more of a "finesse" string for finger style players and if you want to do any sort of intense play they are possibly not a good choice at all. In short if you "Play That Funky Music" finger style then you are better off with something else.

I enjoy GHS Precision Flats in the 3025 and 3050 Regular sets, sorry you are not as enamored, but different strokes for different folks.


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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 12:40 pm
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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 12:51 pm
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Just speaking from recent experience, having re-strung 2 of my basses with GHS strings, I have to say I am VERY disappointed, one set on my Jazz and one on my precision, both sound like crap. The one's on the Jazz have already been swapped out with Roto's, just waiting for a deal online to buy more.

I've used GHS for quite a while and up to this, have been happy.

Never again.


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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 2:46 am
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Update:

I bought a new set of GHS Precision Flats and the E string is perfect. The whole set is pretty well balanced. Each single string sounds great.

Within 12 months I tried three sets and only one was fine.

However, appreciated your replies.


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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 5:09 am
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Were these all bought at the same location? Perhaps it was a bad batch? Certainly possible. With that track record I wouldn't keep running them. Just my personal opinion, though.

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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 6:05 am
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:arrow: Goodness Gracious! Well at least you have a good set now, and they should last you a good ten years or more. I hope your setup and fine tweaking journey is a pleasent one. 8)

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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 6:09 am
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From two different dealers. The second set from dealer A was OK then.

It might be that I did something wrong with the first two sets when stringing them onto my bass and luckily did it correct with the third set.

However, I am very happy now with the current set and will keep it on the bass as loooong as possible (especially with all the invested money and trouble I had).


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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 12:33 pm
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stroker vance wrote:
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?




I told you so. Now you won't have to change strings again for another 16 years. I haven't changed my strings since 1958 - just like Linnin. :D


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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 1:06 pm
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Yes, you did and that was the main reason for me to buy a new set again and to give them a last chance.

They are for sure worth their price. Not three times their price but worth the trouble I had. :mrgreen:

Thanks again!


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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 3:10 pm
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stroker vance wrote:
I told you so. Now you won't have to change strings again for another 16 years. I haven't changed my strings since 1958 - just like Linnin. :D

An' dat's da zombie troof :wink:


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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 12:14 pm
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Okay, I am resurrecting this as opposed to starting a new thread, for one question.

I am out of flats, time to buy. I have been using both Fender and Chromes, and both are fine, no complaints. My very favorite are the LaBella fat flats, but the tension scares me.

I primarily use flats for Blues and Motown, but classic rock too if I only take one bass. But thinking only of Blues and Motown, and thinking only of an American Pbass, what do you think about the GHS 3050Rs.

Or, what string do you think would best fit that very definitive purpose?

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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 12:32 pm
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To me Fender and Labella give you really good old school tone. Which to me would be what you're looking for here. I can't fairly judge the GHS flats because after once playing a set of GHS Boomers I would never touch one of their products again. Flats may be a whole different animal. There is also Rotosound. I've never played their non-wrapped flats, but their black taped flatwounds are absolutely magic on my ABG. Good luck!

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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 3:30 pm
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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 5:32 pm
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affprod wrote:
Okay, I am resurrecting this as opposed to starting a new thread, for one question.

I am out of flats, time to buy. I have been using both Fender and Chromes, and both are fine, no complaints. My very favorite are the LaBella fat flats, but the tension scares me.

I primarily use flats for Blues and Motown, but classic rock too if I only take one bass. But thinking only of Blues and Motown, and thinking only of an American Pbass, what do you think about the GHS 3050Rs.

Or, what string do you think would best fit that very definitive purpose?


Not R's. Never heard of those, but rather M3050's http://www.ghsstrings.com/strings/bass/precision-flats-1

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Post subject: Re: GHS Precision Flats on MIA Standard - E string dull
Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 5:17 am
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Just want to mention again that all 7 of my Fender, Schecter and Ibanez basses are fitted with GHS M3050 Precision Medium Tension Flats in long or extra long versions. The extra long set is for extra long scale basses (Schecter Diamond Series Stiletto Elite 5, for instance) for up to a 38 inch wind length.

I have used GHS exclusively since roughly 1964-65 and at no time have I ever had an issue with any GHS string set that I have installed on my basses over the years. In fact, my 1986 Fender Power Jazz Bass Special has had the same set of GHS flats in place for 9 years and outside of a rubbing alcohol cleaning as needed, they are flawless.

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