anyone like the d'addario chrome flatwounds?

chief ten beers · #1 03-08-2005, 12:19 PM

I'd like to try flats and the only ones i can find at the two music stores near me are the d'addario.just wondering what the general concensus on these are beofore i just mailorder a different type.looking for a smooth mellow old school sound.

Flatwound · #2 03-08-2005, 02:09 PM

I like Chromes. A lot. If you really want the old school sound, you'll need to roll off your tone a bit, as they're somewhat aggressive-sounding for flats. However, they do the thump thing really well IME.

chief ten beers · #3 03-08-2005, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flatwound

I like Chromes. A lot. If you really want the old school sound, you'll need to roll off your tone a bit, as they're somewhat aggressive-sounding for flats. However, they do the thump thing really well IME.

But not as convincingly as TI's i take it?

canopener · #4 03-08-2005, 05:15 PM

If you can get Chromes locally, go for it! You won't be disappointed.

Flatwound · #5 03-08-2005, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chief ten beers

But not as convincingly as TI's i take it?

I wouldn't say that. I never found TI's to be ultra-thumpy. Other flats, including GHS (not my favorite), Fender, and La Bella are what I'd call super-thumpy. Chromes are right in there.

Beefbass · #6 03-08-2005, 07:37 PM

I like my chromes

Petary791 · #7 03-08-2005, 08:47 PM

I just put them on my new fretless, and WOW! I love em. They're SOOOO low and thumpy.

travatron4000 · #8 03-08-2005, 09:37 PM

ten beers,
i've used them for a while. i think they're great. good thump great tone. definatly not dead. very versatile. from dubby to almost round bright you can get it out of them. I've been asked how i made my Electric sound like an upright while using them and i've also brightened the EQ and used a pick and played them in my Punk band. Great thump with a little growly bite if you use a pick. I strongly recomend them.

Just remember to wipe them off well before you put them on. they have a fine black metalic powder on them from the polishing process. i've written the company, they said that they clean them at the factory before they ship them but if you dont give them a wipe down before you play you'll get black fingers. But this makes them silky smooth.

~trav

PunkerTrav · #9 03-08-2005, 09:46 PM

I like mine; they're very good strings. At first I was very disappointed with them unplugged. As soon as I plugged them in and broke them in a bit that all changed. Very good sounding strings.

Thurisarz · #10 03-09-2005, 06:47 AM

This is what i think. Judge for yourself.

Chromes destroyed my fingers

bartman · #11 03-09-2005, 07:18 AM

i put chromes on my Thumb 6 BO they sound wicked.

bgavin · #12 03-09-2005, 07:28 AM

I want a set of Chromes for my P... to replace my long-used set of TI Flats.

Reason: no thump from the TI flats.

Very even tone, lots of mids. I'm just not getting that fat P-thump I think I should be getting.

Also curious about how DA Chromes will do on my fretless. Extra bright is not a problem here.

lonote · #13 03-09-2005, 08:39 AM

They're my favorite flats now. I can't believe I didn't try them sooner!

Flatwound · #14 03-09-2005, 10:50 AM

I didn't get the black finger thing from the set I put on about a month ago. I don't remember whether I did or not prior to that, because it's been a while since I bought a new set (except for these).

7flat5 · #15 03-09-2005, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgavin

I want a set of Chromes for my P... to replace my long-used set of TI Flats.

Reason: no thump from the TI flats. I'm just not getting that fat P-thump I think I should be getting.

I'm just curious...have you tried a little foam under the strings by the bridge, then turning it up a little? I was really surprised at the change in the sound this makes...the lost art of mutes? That's the way that "old school thump" was done when it was new.

travatron4000 · #16 03-09-2005, 10:49 PM

Felt would work well also. My friend has a '73 i think MM. The Bridge has a thumb screwed spring with felt pads for each string, so that you can mute each string seperatly. I've also seem some really old hollow bodies with mechanical switches that raised and lowered a felt bar that muted the strings near the bridge.

~trav

BassFiddle63 · #17 03-10-2005, 12:03 AM

"Chromes" are EXCELLENT strings. I have them on two of my basses ... Musicman SR4 & Yamaha BB-X

7flat5 · #18 03-10-2005, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travatron4000

Felt would work well also. My friend has a '73 i think MM. The Bridge has a thumb screwed spring with felt pads for each string, so that you can mute each string seperatly. I've also seem some really old hollow bodies with mechanical switches that raised and lowered a felt bar that muted the strings near the bridge.

~trav

Yeah, I have an old EBO with the bar bridge, and there is a mute built in that takes a bar of felt and moves it up and down to mute from under the strings. Since bgavin said a P, I was thinking Carol Kaye and Jamerson, who both used foam. I tried a little roll of foam jammed right against the bridge and it worked pretty well. I did notice that if you move it just a little, or use a little less or more, it really changes the sound. It really is an art to get it just right.

chief ten beers · #19 03-10-2005, 11:17 AM

thanks for the replies,i think i'm going to go ahead and score me a pack right now

christle · #20 03-10-2005, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgavin

I want a set of Chromes for my P... to replace my long-used set of TI Flats.

Reason: no thump from the TI flats.

Very even tone, lots of mids. I'm just not getting that fat P-thump I think I should be getting.

Also curious about how DA Chromes will do on my fretless. Extra bright is not a problem here.

Then Chromes are for you

They sound great on my P-Bass