Chromes playability

[BobWestbrook]

I have noticed on the last few basses (5 string) on which I've had Chromes, that its harder for me to play with clean technique - more unwanted sounds from other strings. Do you think it is due to the string tension?

[totallyfrozen]

I've never used Chromes on my 5 but on my 4 I do find the high tension can make it challenging to play cleanly on faster passages. I don't get too much noise from other strings all that often. I tend to mute the other strings with either my right or left hand fingers most of the time...depending on what I'm playing.

Generally, I like Chromes but they do have noticably more tension than any nickel strings I've ever used.

[mmbongo]

Yeah I couldn't stand the high tension of Chromes. it was like playing chain link fence!

[AmadeusXeno]

Sounds to me like you just need to work on your technique a little bit. Try placing your hands in a way so that the strings that aren't being played are muted. I usually rest my fretting hand across any higher strings (A-D-G) that aren't being played, and my picking hand across the lower strings. The vibration from a played string does travel through the instrument to the other strings causing them to ring out some. I have yet to find a bass that doesn't do this. Some companies have made individual string bridges (such as Ibanez's mono rail bridge) that help but don't eliminate it. Hope this helps.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

I have noticed many people using a 4 string set of lighter gauge chromes along with the single low B string... This may help with the playability for you?