Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'll call GHS Tomorrow. Unlike D'Addario, their string tensions aren't listed anywhere on the website.

I'm glad people are still excited about the project!

congerz83 wrote:I'll call GHS Tomorrow. Unlike D'Addario, their string tensions aren't listed anywhere on the website.

They shouldn't be far off from comparable D'Addario strings as they are made by similar processes. I believe DRs will be a little odd because of their "hand made" nature and the round cores but they usually list total tension. Circle Ks list tension. TIs list tension. LaBella lets me know when I ask. So it's not too hard to get the info if you want it.

cassius987 wrote:DRs will be a little odd because of their "hand made" nature and the round cores but they usually list total tension.

DR has plenty of hex-core strings too, though I've only used round-cores from them. Where do they list the total tension? I'm not finding it on this packet of strings in my hand, nor can I find anything on the website.

Here is what DR says about the consistency of "hand-made" strings:
Handmade strings may well be even more accurately made than strings produced on computer assisted machines. While the speed of those machines may be greater, and may produce several strings in one pass, they may not be as accurate as the human hand. The reason we believe is that wire coming off large spools is not 100% consistent in tensile strength and dimensions from the beginning of the spool to the end. The wire actually varies slightly throughout the spool. Machines do not adjust for inconsistencies. Trained string winders develop a feel or sweet spot and constantly adjust for minute differences they feel as wrap wire is wound around core wire. It is interesting to note that jet engines and communications satellites are handmade products.

I'm not sure what to think of that, but I've been a DR convert for a while.

Now where to find those tension ratings...

I have had very, very bad luck with DRs but to each their own. I remember the tension info on the back of a package of Sunbeams. Unfortunately long since recycled.

DriftSpace wrote:Here is what DR says about the consistency of "hand-made" strings:
Handmade strings may well be even more accurately made than strings produced on computer assisted machines.....It is interesting to note that jet engines and communications satellites are handmade products.

I'm not sure what to think of that....

I am not a fan of this sort of marketing tactics.

cassius987 wrote:I have had very, very bad luck with DRs but to each their own. I remember the tension info on the back of a package of Sunbeams. Unfortunately long since recycled.

Nope. I've got 3 packs of DR strings here,and there is a long convoluted explanation of their string wrap process on the back,but no mention of tension measurement anywhere on the packaging. I've tried just about every one of their string sets over the years,and they have been very consistently good for me. I still want to check out their flatwound set,but haven't had the need since i found my Maxima's.

I was very surprised to learn from their OEM marketing gal at the last tradeshow that they don't even make the strings themselves. I was complaining about the inconsistent diameter to which her response was that they had a new supplier which had better tolerances.

Alloys and different types of string construction are all well and good, to produce strings with different tonal and playing qualities, but precision and consistency is all important. Speaking for myself, I much prefer strings made with very exacting computer controlled tension, tightness, and spacing.

I double checked,there is nowhere on the DR website that lists tension info,either.....weird,huh? It does mention that their roundcore strings are less stiff than their hexcore ones,but that's about it. And their flatwound set is SS on roundcore,but at 45-105,MIGHT be a tad heavy for some necks.....
Anyhoo.....
IIRC,Mr Coosa said he bought a set of pyramid flats,which Mr Hall once advised me to take off my 4000 stat......they are definitley high-tension strings,and they tend to sound kind of dull/dead anyway. Go for the optimas,Rick!

John,

What do you think about GHS strings, particularly the Boomers? I've used these on a variety of basses and they seem very consistent.

johnhall wrote:I was very surprised to learn from their OEM marketing gal at the last tradeshow that they don't even make the strings themselves. I was complaining about the inconsistent diameter to which her response was that they had a new supplier which had better tolerances.

Alloys and different types of string construction are all well and good, to produce strings with different tonal and playing qualities, but precision and consistency is all important. Speaking for myself, I much prefer strings made with very exacting computer controlled tension, tightness, and spacing.

I can't +1 this post enough. This is exactly the problem I had with DR (well, the worst problem anyway) and less so with a couple of other string manufacturers/sellers. I had to call D'Addario out on it once also but they just sent me a few new singles to try without hesitation. Since then I have found their strings are possibly the most consistent from the "big name" crowd. I have nothing much bad to say about GHS either other than their nickels are not as much to my liking. I am getting some used GHS strings made with Alloy 52 that I am excited to try.

Maybe regarding Sunbeams tension, my memory is mixing up that they listed the size of each one of the wraps over each gauge. It was something fairly detailed like that. Sorry if I'm not being helpful. The truth is that with the exception of round core strings you can usually find a similar enough string in terms of construction and gauge and extrapolate a rough idea of what the tension will be. With a round core I'm really not sure if the tension will change all that much relative to the very, very noticeable change in feel.

teeder wrote:What do you think about GHS strings, particularly the Boomers? I've used these on a variety of basses and they seem very consistent.

Unfortunately, I have no recent experience with GHS strings. Certainly in the past they have worked very well.

Without any doubt whatsoever, I'll say that in my experience the D'Addario strings are the most consistent I've ever experienced. It's one of the very few where you can run a micrometer from one end of the string to the other and see no measurable difference.

That being said, everyone makes a bum string from time to time but some companies do that a lot less frequently than others.

BTW, I have had the same positive experience with Evans (D'Addario) drum heads as compared with the other popular brand (especially units made in Taiwan). I've been told that the engineering staff is shared with the string department and it shows up in the end product.

johnhall wrote:BTW, I have had the same positive experience with Evans (D'Addario) drum heads as compared with the other popular brand (especially units made in Taiwan). I've been told that the engineering staff is shared with the string department and it shows up in the end product.

Well, that's interesting.... huh.

johnhall wrote: I have had the same positive experience with Evans (D'Addario) drum heads as compared with the other popular brand (especially units made in Taiwan). I've been told that the engineering staff is shared with the string department and it shows up in the end product.

I've got to say -- since I am primarily a drummer -- that the new Evans "Level 360" are kind of a drum head revelation for me; they are the easiest-to-tune drum heads I have ever used in my 25 years of drumming. It's rare that I try a new product which instantly impresses me, but Evans did that with their new heads. If that kind of engineering transfers between Evans & D'Addario: I'm definitely interested in the latter's products.

The thing I like about DR is specifically the Jonas Hellborg strings, which are a single wrap around the core as opposed to the double, and the tone is really pretty fantastic. It fi were to use "regular" strings: I'd just go with D'Addario.

teeder wrote:John,

What do you think about GHS strings, particularly the Boomers? I've used these on a variety of basses and they seem very consistent.

I know you were asking JH, but I have alot of experience with these strings.

Except for a period of using Rotosounds in the early 80's, I have used GHS Boomers on all my Rickenbacker basses for almost 30 years.

.040-.095 set. 1969 4001, two '72 4001's, '79 4001, '80 4001, '92 4001CS, '99 4001V63PMC. No issues, ever. The '79 I have owned the longest (33 years) and I can't remember the last time I adjusted the rods on this bass, I think I was in high school, LOL...

Use these strings and sleep well at night.

John (Simmons),

Not to hijack this thread, but, do you still have your 4001V63PMC???
I thought mine might have been yours until I checked the serial numbers. GREAT basses, aren't they????












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