D Addario Chromes

CipherJDM · #1 03-05-2011, 12:46 AM

Well, I've been looking to switch from round wounds to some flats and I've been wondering about the tension. I was thinking medium gauges but then did the math and it'd add 30lbs more of tension, as compared to 7lbs with regular gauges. I'm trying to prevent fret clank/clack on my Squier Mod P bass, in addition to the change of sound from rounds to flats. What I was wondering, is with the major change of tension from Medium Nickels to Medium Chromes, should I be concerned about the truss rod being able to compensate for the tension? Should I just do Regular Chromes?

gricko · #2 03-05-2011, 01:17 AM

there are tension charts on daddario website, so you can compare strings tension of your present set w/ a future one.

2400 · #3 03-05-2011, 02:06 AM

I got hooked on higher tensions because of chromes. Moved up a whole gauge across my string preferences.

Back on topic: your truss rod will probably need some tightening to help it cope with the heavier load - nothing out of the ordinary, however. If you go regular gauge (I'm assuming you mean the pink gauge) that adjustment to the rod is almost negligible, but if you choose to go medium, it's pretty much a mandatory step if you want to keep your action the same.

Heavier gauges of string also clack a little less IMO.

Double Agent · #4 03-05-2011, 09:58 AM

First of all...string clack is purely a cause of setup. String with a higher tension may appear to have less clack because they are more rigid, but if you set the action too low, they will clack as much as loose strings do. In fact, if your action is set for a lighter gauge of string, a heavier gauge may have MORE clack.

Figure out the gauge that is going to be most comfortable for you, then set up your bass accordingly. It isn't a big deal to have to adjust the truss rod. Because I have been switching over to lighter gauged strings, which have a slinkier feel and make life a bit easier on my right hand, I have adjusted both of my two main basses over the last week or so...but that is what the truss rod is there for. If you have a capo and a set of feeler gauges (less than $10 at an auto supply store), you can setup your bass for any string you desire, regardless of gauge or tension.

Kael · #5 03-05-2011, 10:02 AM

If you are coming from rounds, use the light gauge chromes. Flats are markedly higher tension than rounds of the same gauge. Light gauge chromes are still higher than most rounds.

note: TI flats are an exception to this. They are really low tension.

CipherJDM · #6 03-05-2011, 08:51 PM

I am indeed coming from rounds. A per set up, even with Medium Gauge addario nickels (I think it's 90-100 or something of the sort) I have to have the action way up there to prevent clack. As per the gauge, I was thinking of taking 2400's advice and going with the mediums and attempting to compensate. I prefer to really lay in when I play, and the nickels don't allow me to do that.

treekiller · #7 03-06-2011, 05:04 AM

I use 45 - 100 Chromes on all my basses and I find them to be very comfortable. My MIA Jazz is tuned down to Eb with no problems either.

Gimme4 · #8 03-08-2011, 08:32 PM

What about short scale? Got an allen woody a wk ago&want to use flats. Would light chromes have enough tension to not clack on this bass? Or would I want mediums? I play mostly pickstyle,it's my first shortie.

iiipopes · #9 03-08-2011, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kael

If you are coming from rounds, use the light gauge chromes. Flats are markedly higher tension than rounds of the same gauge. Light gauge chromes are still higher than most rounds.

note: TI flats are an exception to this. They are really low tension.

Reason for the first: the flat wrap is solid, so there are no gaps in the windings as with conventional round wounds. Therefore there is more mass, and more mass, all else being equal, means more tension.

Reason for the second: the TI's are pure nickel, which has a different density than steel wrap. The diameters are different as well. So they have less tension.

Toneman · #10 03-09-2011, 11:27 AM

Reason for the second: the TI's are pure nickel, which has a different density than steel wrap. The diameters are different as well. So they have less tension.[/quote]

A TI question I'm thinking about getting some JF344's I presently use custom light Chromes 40-100 my question is how does the 70 gauge A string feel and sound? That's a very thin A string.

Grateful · #11 03-09-2011, 11:52 AM

I have to tighten the truss rod on my 5 string when going from Medium gauge nickels (even hex core) to Chromes (regular light).

But I love my Chromes. I've been using the same set for ~3 years and they jsut sound better and better....

Kael · #12 03-09-2011, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toneman

A TI question I'm thinking about getting some JF344's I presently use custom light Chromes 40-100 my question is how does the 70 gauge A string feel and sound? That's a very thin A string.

I've used both the TI's and the light gauge chromes. Chromes have more tension than D'Addario nickel XL's (.45 to .100) which have more tension than TI flats. TI flats feel about like DR Sunbeams to me (ie: too damned floppy for my tastes). Nice sounding strings. I actually think they sound better than the chromes by a touch, although my tastes have moved back to rounds these days. The playability kills the TI's for me though.

Pilgrim · #13 03-09-2011, 07:02 PM

I wouldn't worry about it. Most basses have plenty of ability to deal with strings in any rational gauge.

GM60466 · #14 03-09-2011, 07:36 PM

45 to 100 work well on all my basses with flats

Scobac · #15 03-09-2011, 07:53 PM

D'Addario makes chromes in the same gauge as their XL170 rounds! They do seem a little tighter under my fingers. I just move my right hand a little closer to neck to compensate! Maybe a 1/2 inch or so... dosen't change how I approach the instrument!

oi_pride · #16 03-09-2011, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2400

Heavier gauges of string also clack a little less IMO.

I agree. I use a heavy gauge and i haven't heard as much noise as i do with regular strings.

Toneman · #17 03-09-2011, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kael

TI flats. TI flats feel about like DR Sunbeams to me (ie: too damned floppy for my tastes). Nice sounding strings. I actually think they sound better than the chromes by a touch, although my tastes have moved back to rounds these days. The playability kills the TI's for me though.

From soundbites I've heard TI's sound great but I don't think I'd like the floppy feel so I'll stay with Chromes even though there a bit bright.
I'm curious what made you go back to rounds, is it the type of music you play?

Kael · #18 03-10-2011, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toneman

From soundbites I've heard TI's sound great but I don't think I'd like the floppy feel so I'll stay with Chromes even though there a bit bright.
I'm curious what made you go back to rounds, is it the type of music you play?

I play a fairly broad range of music. In the first few months of this year I've played rock, pop, country, R&B, funk, blues, mexican pop, reggae, jazz and probably a few styles I am not remembering at the moment. At any one time I am usually playing with three or four acts. Eventually I found that flats did what flats do, thump. Some more so than others, but they all leaned that way. TI's came closest to non-thumpy but they stll were way thumpier than any round. That thump wasn't as appropriate for as many genres as rounds could be. Although rounds don't do what flats do nearly as well, they can get closer to it than flats can to what rounds do IME.. Also, it seems to me to be easier to tame boomy rooms with rounds than flats.

I'd love to have a P bass wearing rounds for the occasions that call for it. That tone kills in the right situation. Problem is I can't justify keeping a bass around for that one gig a month where I'd reach for it. I am not a bright twanky bassist, but I have found that nickel rounds or, even better IMO, really well broken in SS rounds (like 3+ months) work best for me.

PS: Also, many of the gigs where a bass with flats would be what I would reach for, I am playing double bass on these days. Given that double bass strings are flat wound, I suppose you could say that I am still using flats.

Toneman · #19 03-10-2011, 09:05 PM

I don't see flats as a one trick pony or just for thump. I think with the great amps available today and the right feel/technique flats can be very musical. One one hand you had Jamerson's tone which was all thump and then you had Joe Osborne with no thump just a nice musical and articulate tone both using flats but as different as night and day. That said of course there's situations and a need for rounds just not on my bass. lol

88ric2030 · #20 03-19-2011, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kael

I play a fairly broad range of music.

PS: Also, many of the gigs where a bass with flats would be what I would reach for, I am playing double bass on these days. Given that double bass strings are flat wound, I suppose you could say that I am still using flats.

I've found that Chromes are pretty versatile for just about any style. I mostly like their feel, and the fact that they get rid of fret noise. I just can't do rounds anymore, they feel like sandpaper. This is coming from someone who favored really bright rounds for thirty years. When I want really thumpy flats, I have a Ric 4001 and a Squier Bronco strung with GHS Precision flats.