Alternatives to Chromes?

[::::BASSIST::::]

What are some alternatives to Chromes?

The last couple sets I've had are not as silky smooth as they used to be, plus they take a good couple months to break-in.. ie lose their zing.

What I'm looking for is a super smooth flatwound with higher tension, but not super thick gage.

I've been hearing good things about GHS lately. Do they have more or equal tension to Chromes? I play strictly shortscale basses so I need some tension.

I've tried:

-Labella FL (not enough tension for ss) and FM (too thick).
-Fender flats (not to fond of these)
-Pyramids (not quite enough tension... plus the E is way bigger than the other strings which kinda drives me nuts).

What are some others I should look into?

GHS?
Rotosound 77s ?

[Falkner]

I like GHS Precision Flats. Tension is a little more than Chromes. They're very smooth and shiny (smoothest I've played) and they're not quite as zingy as the Chromes I tried.

[::::BASSIST::::]

What gage are you using? 45 - 95???

[mongo2]

I use a few sets of the old smoother chromes I have from years ago.

[Craig_S]

Originally Posted by Falkner

I like GHS Precision Flats. Tension is a little more than Chromes.

First time I've heard this. I've read a few times the GHS strings aren't as stiff or high tension. I've used Chromes. They're pretty damned stiff.

My choice for flats is LaBella 760FL. Great sounding strings.

[DavePlaysBass]

Sadowsky flats may be up you alley tension wise in a 45-105 set. They are a good sounding flat. Nice definition without the metal zing.

[Falkner]

Originally Posted by Craig_S

First time I've heard this. I've read a few times the GHS strings aren't as stiff or high tension. I've used Chromes. They're pretty damned stiff.

Really? That is interesting. My sets were very similar gauges (.045-.105 for GHS, .050-.105 for the Chromes) and the Precision Flats were definitely higher tension for me. I remember having to adjust my neck a bit from how much they were pulling on it, and that was coming from the Chromes I had on.

That's not a con, at least for me. I haven't used them in quite a while, but I've been itching to try a set on my new P-bass.

[loopee]

Hello
Well, I really like the GHS Flats and Pressurewounds, but you know that already....lol...anyway I'm using the short scale lights and I have a buzz on my new bass so I'm probably going to try 45-105 though they only come in Long Scale sets. You might want to try the Pressurewounds, which are halfway between Flats and Rounds. I have the short scale light set 40-96 on my Fish right now but will be trying the 44-102 next, they are also Long scale sets. Not too many medium Short Scale strings out there......But I'm also thinking of getting the Labella Flats in shortscale 45-105.....as you know, I need more tension since I have the shortscale but the light GHS's that I have on right now are really nice and easy to play, just trying to get rid of the buzz and lower the action a little.....