GHS Strings & Accessories
GHS began manufacturing guitar strings in 1964. The company's name comes from the founders' initials: Gould, Holcomb, and Solko. In 1975, labor attorney/entrepreneur Robert McFee purchased the company. GHS celebrated its 50th Anniversary in August of 2014.
The core-to-cover ratio is the ratio between the thickness of the core wire and the thickness of the cover wrap(s). All else remaining constant, a larger core-to-cover ratio will yield a string that feels stiffer under the fingers over one with a smaller ratio. Another benefit of a larger core-to-cover ratio is a string that can easily handle down tuning without becoming overly floppy or boomy.
There are four types of winding techniques used for strings. Roundwound strings are the brightest, with a round cover wire wrapped around the core wire. Burnished strings are considered roundwound. The next brightest is roller-wound, with a round cover wire crushed to a semi-flat configuration as it is wound around the core. Pressurewounds are an example of a roller-wound string.
Next, "mid-bright" are groundwound strings, starting roundwound and then ground by a centerless grinder, leaving a smooth feel. Brite Flats are a groundwound string. Made by winding a flat wire around the core, flatwound strings produce the mellowest tone and are the smoothest-feeling string.
GHS Guitar Boomers are round core, except wound Boomers .024 or smaller and .060 and higher. Round core strings have greater flexibility and a slightly warmer tone than hex core strings. Hex cores remain stable at smaller diameters and have a slightly tighter attack and brighter tone. As string gauges get thicker, the hex core's added stability is ideal for retaining clarity and definition on lower strings in 7 and 8 String Boomer sets.
With few exceptions, GHS uses the same plain steel strings in all guitar sets. The .009 string in a set of Boomers is the same .009 used in a set of Nickel Rockers, Bright Bronze, etc.
If you want a Motown sound, try Precision Flats. If you want an even warmer sound check out Tapewounds, with a sound close to upright bass. If these options are a little too warm but you don't want the brightness of roundwounds, then try either Brite Flats or Pressurewounds.
Winding length is the distance from the ball end to the beginning of the silked end or to where the string tapers at the tuning end. Winding length is extremely important! Knowing the winding length of your instrument is the key to ensuring you get the proper string for your bass and is more important than scale length. For example, the Hofner Violin Bass is a 30" scale bass, but with the bridge, the Hofner needs a set of strings with at least a 34" winding length, often considered medium Scale.
To find the winding length of your bass, measure from the ball end to just past the nut (ideally, between the nut and the tuning peg closest to the nut). A string with a winding length that falls within that measurement will fit your bass. If it is too short, the silked/tapered end will extend over the nut. If it is too long, the string's wound portion will wrap around the tuner, which can cause string breakage.
Winding lengths of GHS strings are as follows:
Short Scale = 32" Winding Length
Medium Scale = 34.5" Winding Length
Standard Long Scale = 36.5" Winding Length
Universal Long Scale = 37.25" Winding Length
Long Scale Plus / Extra Long Scale = 38" Winding Length