GHS Bass Boomers 70-140 Heavy

The is the first time I have used GHS strings as they are uncommon in the U.K. and I was very pleasantly surprised.

Firstly GHS seem to be the only string company that offer a 'heavy' option for BEAD tuning. I changed from using Earnie Ball 135-50 5-string sets without the G string, and the difference is black and white! The GHS 140-70's feel much more balanced for BEAD tuning, unsurprisingly, but the tension of this heavy set is much more suitable for the low tuning.

The sound is what did it for me the most! So much more low and mid range, and not too much raspy, noisy top end compared with the earlier balls. They pack a punch and sound great played with a pick too!

On the downside, it did not only require adjustment of the truss rod to compensate for the tension change, as well as a full set up to get everything back in balance, but I also had to file the nut quite a lot (even from using 135-70 strings) and had to file my bridge somewhat to fit the strings in - I guess I'm using these strings from now on!! I'm happy with that commitment.

I fully recommend these strings for anyone wanting to play in BEAD tuning whilst keeping with a 4-string bass. If you are not willing to modify your nut and potentially bridge then stick with standard tuning!

I got these for a 4-string that I keep tuned ADGC. The string gauges in the pack are effectively the bottom 4 strings of a 5-string set, so I figured they were worth a try. I normally use Elixirs on my main bass, but that brand don't offer 4-string sets in my preferred gauge and I haven't found their strings for sale individually, so I'm experimenting. I've tested two sets of these on the same bass now in live and studio settings.

Well, they are certainly boomy, so the name isn't misleading! Quality of the strings feel decent for sure, but I just found they lack the clarity and longevity of other strings I have used unfortunately. Even compared to other nickel-plated steel strings there's no shine off them at all. If they have stainless steel versions I think I'd get excited. That said, my use might be atypical, and the strings might perform better tuned to BEAD - and as with all strings your mileage may vary based on your playing technique and bass or other gear.

I didn't want to rate too poorly - they are definitely not terrible strings, but my journey to find the best strings for my setup continues.

Montate su un basso Mayones Jabba (prima serie, scala 34.25'', pickups Seymour Duncan SBJ-3, passivo).
Provate esclusivamente con l'accordatura per cui sono pensate, ovvero B-E-A-D, ben bilanciate, suonano in modo eccezionale. La corda del Si dà molta soddisfazione, nonostante possa risultare troppo impastata dopo il 15-esimo taso.

Per chi passa da E-A-D-G standard a B-E-A-D.
Ponte: La corda più grave è più spessa vicino al tondino finale. In questo punto passa da un diametro di circa 3mm a uno di 3.5mm, il che è sufficiente per non far infilare la parte finale della corda nella maggior parte dei ponti. Nel mio caso ho dovuto trapanare/limare il foro del ponte per allargarlo quel filo che bastava.
Manico: Non ho riscontrato nessun problema al manico dovuto al cambio di corde, anche perché la tensione complessiva non sembra molto diversa da quella dell'accordatura standard E-A-D-G con le corde 50-115.
Action: Con un ponte "classico" la corda del Si non permette di avere un'action alta, a causa dell'angolo di contatto. Si riesce comunque a non farla friggere.
Intonazione: Nel mio caso ho dovuto spostare tutto il ponte di mezzo centimetro più distante dal manico per riuscire ad intonare il Si.

*Strings 2-D.70/3-A.85/4-E.105/5-B.140 37.25'' winding