D'Addario Chromes and active basses

fourstringbliss · #1 08-31-2006, 08:28 PM

I have an active 5-string and I'm looking for more thump than zing and for a smooth feel. It has a three-band active EQ. Would Chromes work to give me more thump, but still remain clear enough to cut through the mix?

marwady · #2 08-31-2006, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourstringbliss

I have an active 5-string and I'm looking for more thump than zing and for a smooth feel. It has a three-band active EQ. Would Chromes work to give me more thump, but still remain clear enough to cut through the mix?

Have 'em on my Fender ADPV and that's about what tone I get.

fourstringbliss · #3 08-31-2006, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marwady

Have 'em on my Fender ADPV and that's about what tone I get.

How would you describe your tone?

marwady · #4 08-31-2006, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourstringbliss

How would you describe your tone?

A brighter tone than conventional flats (LaBella, etc.) but no where near as clangy as the stock roundwounds. Seems to be a bit more natural sounding when I use the active eq on the bass. So far, I like them the best on this bass.

SBassman · #5 08-31-2006, 08:56 PM

Give em a try. They're fantastic strings.

[Even if one pro says pros would never use them. Sorry - bad inside joke.]

ElBajista · #6 08-31-2006, 09:02 PM

D'addario Chromes or TI flats should give you what you're looking for. I've tried both, and I've found that Chromes are brighter than TI flats, but TIs have more punchy, smooth, musical midrange. Also, Chromes had more of a tendency to "clang" than TIs, but were better suited to slapping.

If I needed a string that could sound like flats when playing fingerstyle, but also needed a suitable slap tone and higher tension for pick-playing, I'd go for Chromes.

However, I never had any problems with getting lost in the mix with TI flats both on my active 5-34 (55-02) and on the P bass (Skyline Glaub) I had a while back. I can't think of a better fingerstyle string than TI flats. If you want smooth, go for TI flats. I'm not knocking Chromes at all, I really like these strings, but to me they aren't as smooth and warm as TIs.

What kind of music and techniques are you playing/using?

fourstringbliss · #7 08-31-2006, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElBajista

D'addario Chromes or TI flats should give you what you're looking for. I've tried both, and I've found that Chromes are brighter than TI flats, but TIs have more punchy, smooth, musical midrange. Also, Chromes had more of a tendency to "clang" than TIs, but were better suited to slapping.

If I needed a string that could sound like flats when playing fingerstyle, but also needed a suitable slap tone and higher tension for pick-playing, I'd go for Chromes.

However, I never had any problems with getting lost in the mix with TI flats both on my active 5-34 (55-02) and on the P bass (Skyline Glaub) I had a while back. I can't think of a better fingerstyle string than TI flats. If you want smooth, go for TI flats. I'm not knocking Chromes at all, I really like these strings, but to me they aren't as smooth and warm as TIs.

What kind of music and techniques are you playing/using?

I am strictly fingerstyle right now (due to a lack of other techniques). I've heard that TI's are a bit floppy in the B-string area, and I need a tight B-string. I play on my church worship team and it's anything from mellow to driving.

ElBajista · #8 08-31-2006, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourstringbliss

I am strictly fingerstyle right now (due to a lack of other techniques). I've heard that TI's are a bit floppy in the B-string area, and I need a tight B-string. I play on my church worship team and it's anything from mellow to driving.

Is your 5-er a 34" or 35" scale?

On my 35" 55-02, I never had a problem with the B string. I found it to be just as playable as any of the other strings.

It mostly depends more on your technique, though. I never had a problem because I have a pretty light-to-medium touch.

fourstringbliss · #9 08-31-2006, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElBajista

Is your 5-er a 34" or 35" scale?

On my 35" 55-02, I never had a problem with the B string. I found it to be just as playable as any of the other strings.

It mostly depends more on your technique, though. I never had a problem because I have a pretty light-to-medium touch.

I have a 35" scale Ibanez BTB555. I do like the idea of how long the TI's last and the idea of a midrange punch. The BTB has sweepable mids, so I can do anything there, really. I do need to develop a lighter touch, especially with my B.

tbrannon · #10 08-31-2006, 10:05 PM

I play a G&L L-2000 with chromes on it- I usually run the bass passive, but when I do flick it to active, they cut through nicely. I've strung the TI's on there before as well. I liked them equally as well as I like the Chromes, I just find that Chromes are more readily avaliable in NZ than the TI's are.

I've got an Alembic Rogue 5 on it's way here shortly and it'll be strung w/ chromes as well!

**cheezewiz** · #11 09-01-2006, 07:18 AM

I have Chromes on my Fender Jag right now, and it's a great combination. They word fine with active basses.

ElBajista · #12 09-01-2006, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourstringbliss

I have a 35" scale Ibanez BTB555. I do like the idea of how long the TI's last and the idea of a midrange punch. The BTB has sweepable mids, so I can do anything there, really. I do need to develop a lighter touch, especially with my B.

The 35" scale should help with any perceived "floppiness." If you want midrange punch, I can't recommend TIs enough.

TIs also respond to dynamic changes more than any other string that I've tried. Played softly with a light touch will give you smooth, buttery tone, but dig in a bit and you'll achieve a nice, "growly" character. I love these strings!

fourstringbliss · #13 09-01-2006, 10:48 AM

Anybody here tried Sadowsky flats for 5-string?

bassmonkeee · #14 09-01-2006, 11:45 AM

I've used TI Flats, D'Addario Chromes, and Sadowsky flats on my 34" scale active basses and I've never had any problem with flop from any of the different varieties.

Here's my Bongo 5 with Chromes. Granted I'm using a BassMute, but you get the idea. They cut through just fine....

http://home.earthlink.net/~bionicmanmp3s/fatty-01.mp3

fourstringbliss · #15 09-01-2006, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassmonkeee

I've used TI Flats, D'Addario Chromes, and Sadowsky flats on my 34" scale active basses and I've never had any problem with flop from any of the different varieties.

Here's my Bongo 5 with Chromes. Granted I'm using a BassMute, but you get the idea. They cut through just fine....

http://home.earthlink.net/~bionicmanmp3s/fatty-01.mp3

Thanks for the soundclip! That's what I needed! That sounds so good, and I'm sure I could get a similar sound with my bass. How would you compare the Chromes and the Sadowsky flats?

ElBajista · #16 09-01-2006, 02:44 PM

That's a great sounding clip! The playing isn't too shabby, either.

SBassman · #17 09-01-2006, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElBajista

That's a great sounding clip! The playing isn't too shabby, either.

I just listened to the clip. When I first saw the thread yesterday, I was on a computer without speakers.

Yup - the tone on that clip is excellent, and so it the playing.

fourstringbliss · #18 09-01-2006, 05:54 PM

Which would have a clearer B? The Sadowsky's have a taper core B-string - would that make that B clearer? I don't want mud at all. Does a taper core B make that much of a difference?

KeiBau · #19 09-01-2006, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourstringbliss

Anybody here tried Sadowsky flats for 5-string?

It seems we're talking about strings that I have used on my basses; TI Jazz Flats, DA Chrome Flats, and Sadowsky Flats. My basses aren't high end instruments, but I like them well enough (once I put good strings on them), BTB405 and a Brice V2 - 5 fretless. The BTB is a 35" scale and the Brice is a 34". I like all the above strings and they have worked well for me, therefore nothing bad to say. Currrently, I have the Brice strung with the Sadowsky Flats and the BTB strung with La Bella Deep Talkin' Flats. I really can't tell any difference between the Sadowsky and the La Bellas, they feel and play the same to me. Compared to the TI's and the DA's, the Sadowsky "B" string plays tighter (to me) even though the Sadowsky "B" is a lighter gauge than the others. But, I wouldn't call the TI "B" nor the DA "B" floppy. If they are for someone else, you perhaps play with a heavier touch than I do. Someone in this thread mentioned that the TI's were a smooth string. Perhaps you meant they produced a smooth tone. The actual feel to the fingers on the TI's are a little rougher than the feel of the other brands. The Sadowsky flats and the La Bella Flats feel smooth as silk compared to the TI's. There was a comment about slap style. I play primarily the fretless with the Sadowsky Flats and cannot produce a satisfactory slap, but didn't really expect to with that instrument.

fourstringbliss · #20 09-01-2006, 06:57 PM

I think I'm going to get the Sadowsky flats. I'm not sure I would like the zinginess of the Chromes, and I like the idea of the taper core B for string-to-string balance.

Thanks all! I'll let you know how things go, and post some sound clips when I can.