Chromes...Bright G-string?

meursault42 · #1 03-31-2011, 06:16 PM

How does one make an unruly G-string sound darker? I've had a set of D'Addario Chromes on my P-bass for months now, and the lower three strings have a nice warm thumpy, growly tone. The G-string, however, still sounds like it did right out of the box: thin, nasaly, not very musical. Any recommendations on how I could mitigate this problem? Maybe swap it out for another string? I tried using a TI Jazz Flat D-string in the G position, just because I had one lying around, but that didn't really suffice. I've tried thwacking the hell out of it...didn't really make a difference. I've tried oiling the string down, which actually made it sound brighter. Maybe a Labella G? Chicken grease? Voodoo? I'd be grateful for any anecdotes or suggestions.

tjh · #2 03-31-2011, 06:46 PM

I use a foam mute that I slide under the strings right up against the bridge ... it is cut about 3/4" wide, and fits flat right under the strings on the front of the bridge plate .. I am able to 'slide' it up and down to either slightly mute all or only one string (usually end up using it on the G when needed) ... if I need a full mute I simply rotate it so the wider side is standing making more contact ..

ixlramp · #3 03-31-2011, 07:19 PM

Buy a single Chromes of .005 smaller gauge, the lower tension mellows and darkens the tone. What gauges are the Chromes? Most bass sets have tension rising with pitch, making the naturally brighter high strings even brighter. Personally I consider a slight fall in tension with pitch ideal tonally as it mellows the tone of the naturally brighter high strings.

Rebop · #4 03-31-2011, 07:48 PM

Use a tapewound G. Might give you what you're looking for.

As a side observation, I wonder why mixing brands isn't more common in the electric bass world whereas most upright players will frequently do it to compensate for strings that don't blend well otherwise.

**lowendfriend** · #5 03-31-2011, 09:48 PM

Perhaps the issue is that you don't use your G string all that much and it takes longer for the "shine" to come off the new string? Rub it down with a little mineral oil for a few hours of play and then wipe it off.

Ray man · #6 04-01-2011, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendfriend

Rub it down with a little mineral oil for a few hours of play and then wipe it off.

Good call.

bluesdogblues · #7 04-01-2011, 12:56 AM

IMHO strings are not 'linear' system. I was satisfied with my strings (LaBella Jamerson Deep Talkin Flatwound set). Satisfied for their balance across.

But few days ago, I adjust my truss rod (did it for second time lastnight) and after that I notice the G string 'stands out' in clarity (brightness) too, compare to the other three.
I don't know why, but I'm still checking & experimenting right now. But for the mean time I'll assume that string conditions are not linear.. If that's the right term.

FunkMetalBass · #8 04-01-2011, 01:09 AM

Physically speaking, strings vibrate according to a complex wave equation that describes the harmonic oscillations. The nature of this equation states that a vibrating string is clearly nonlinear.

Maybe you can better explain what you mean by "linear"?

I'd equate the "brightness" of the G-string to its tension . Drop it down to a .040 or .035 (depending on what DA uses normally), and I bet it sits much nicer and feels a bit more even to your fingers.

bluesdogblues · #9 04-01-2011, 01:18 AM

Hi I'm sorry my English is not good I was not sure with what I'd try to say with 'linear' don't know the right word for it

Just forget it.. Sorry again for my english limitation.

My G string is 052 and I'm very happy with that even if now I found it bit brightier than it ussually does just after I adjust the truss rod, but they're still the most balance string set I ever find that suits my need almost perfectly.

Anyway thanks for your suggestion

meursault42 · #10 04-01-2011, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendfriend

Perhaps the issue is that you don't use your G string all that much and it takes longer for the "shine" to come off the new string? Rub it down with a little mineral oil for a few hours of play and then wipe it off.

Thanks for the suggestion. I probably do avoid the G slightly, but I wouldn't think that I do so enough to make that kind of a difference. I did try rubbing the string down with a little bit of 'Fret Doctor' which is supposedly a mixture of vegetable oils with a preservative to keep it from going rancid. This stuff works miracles on my rosewood fingerboard. But I think all it did for the string was clean it and thereby actually brightened the sound. I feel like I need something that's going to leave a residue in the string's winding.

meursault42 · #11 04-01-2011, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluesdogblues

IMHO strings are not 'linear' system. I was satisfied with my strings (LaBella Jamerson Deep Talkin Flatwound set). Satisfied for their balance across.

But few days ago, I adjust my truss rod (did it for second time lastnight) and after that I notice the G string 'stands out' in clarity (brightness) too, compare to the other three.
I don't know why, but I'm still checking & experimenting right now. But for the mean time I'll assume that string conditions are not linear.. If that's the right term.

I think I understand what you mean by 'linear'. In other words, strings do not change color in a continuous manner over the course of their lifetime simply as a result of wear. There are other factors at play, i.e. setup, weather conditions, etc.

Point taken, but that darn G has been unruly right from the get-go. I'd be interested in trying a set of Labella's, but wouldn't be surprised if I end up having the same issue. Maybe it's my bass...

meursault42 · #12 04-01-2011, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rebop

Use a tapewound G. Might give you what you're looking for.

As a side observation, I wonder why mixing brands isn't more common in the electric bass world whereas most upright players will frequently do it to compensate for strings that don't blend well otherwise.

I thought about a tapewounds. I've never tried them, but I'm not sure if i'd be able to live with the difference in feel, the length of the sustain, the softer attack, etc. However, I didn't realize, until your post prompted me to investigate further, that tapewound strings are flats. For some reason I thought they were rounds. And they are considerably lower tension. Hmmm... maybe I should give those a try. Too bad they don't sell them as singles...

jasper383 · #13 04-01-2011, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjchmara

I thought about a tapewounds. I've never tried them, but I'm not sure if i'd be able to live with the difference in feel, the length of the sustain, the softer attack, etc. However, I didn't realize, until your post prompted me to investigate further, that tapewound strings are flats. For some reason I thought they were rounds. And they are considerably lower tension. Hmmm... maybe I should give those a try. Too bad they don't sell them as singles...

Most tapes are rounds underneath the tape.

MaHei · #14 04-01-2011, 09:54 AM

Had a similar problem as the OP on a six string bass I had strung with Chromes. Loved the sound of the lower strings (BEA), didn't like the others - too bright and twangy. Ended up with TI flats on DGC and I'm pretty sure LaBellas would have worked well, too. Tonal balance is great now and feel is very nice . Bottom line: Don't hesitate to mix strings from different brands, even though it might seem strange.

Juststrings sells TI Flats and LaBellas as singles.

GeoffByrne · #15 04-01-2011, 04:51 PM

I'm surprised this thread has got this far & no-one has suggested you lower the pickup on the 'G' side.

perutxo · #16 04-01-2011, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffByrne

I'm surprised this thread has got this far & no-one has suggested you lower the pickup on the 'G' side.

Good call!!
Brilliant, geezer !

makkE · #17 04-01-2011, 05:18 PM

I had a similar impression with my 45-100 chromes. The G was just a lot more twangy and guitarish than the rest. It's a lot better now that I have labellas. Seems to be a weakness of chromes.

meursault42 · #18 04-02-2011, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffByrne

I'm surprised this thread has got this far & no-one has suggested you lower the pickup on the 'G' side.

Yeah, I actually thought of that also. I lowered the pickup all the way down on the treble side. It was already pretty low, but it didn't seem to make any noticeable difference. As others have said, I think it's probably an instrument vs. string kind of issue. I put in an order for a set of D'Addario tapewounds and a single Labella tapewound G. We'll see if that makes a difference.