D'Addario Chromes (Flatwound) Praise! And a DR Question!

[JanusZarate]

Well, I made the switch to flatwounds today!

I originally played mostly through stainless steel DR Lo-Riders, which had a very nice bright tone and high tension, perfect for my rock/metal/experimental/progressive endeavors. Then, I tried out GHS Bass Boomers, which I found to be lifeless, muddy, and dull. I went back to Lo-Riders, and then took a chance with some Hi-Beams. The Hi-Beams, however, seemed way too bright to me - nice for pickstyle playing, but terrible for fingerstyle.

As you can see, it's been roundwounds all the way so far... until today. I decided to take a shot in the dark by buying some D'Addario flatwound Chromes. Having never played on flatwounds before, I only had a faint idea of what to expect from listening to Iron Maiden - but I use a Gallien-Krueger 2001RB, so my "anti-tube" rig was bound to respond differently.

After stringing them on, the first thing I noticed was their smoothness. It was like running my fingers on silk, but at the same time, they were responsive and easy for my fingers to grip. Now, I can play fast with ease if I want, and the clanking (if I so desire to push for that) is smooth now

Soundwise, I'm very impressed with them. While they're not as bright as Lo-Riders or Hi-Beams, the tension seems very high, and these things can GROWL while notes ring clear. My EQ can easily bring in some extra brightness, too, since the basic tone these strings provide is far more melodic to me (in a rock sense) than a roundwound. Fingerstyle never sounded so good to me!

I think I'm becoming a flatwound convert

Now, onto my question... I'm aware that DR has come out with flatwound strings now. Has anyone compared them to D'Addario or Rotosound's flatwound strings? If so, how does the sound compare?

[Mean Mr Mustard]

I use Chromes as well, even though I play in a punk band I love a deep warm tone.

They get even warmer with age

[Bass2Live]

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

Now, onto my question... I'm aware that DR has come out with flatwound strings now.

Where the heck are some of these Flatwounds? I've looked around but I can't find a set to buy.

Trigg

[SBassman]

DD Chrome Flats are excellent.

[JanusZarate]

Originally Posted by Bass2Live

Where the heck are some of these Flatwounds? I've looked around but I can't find a set to buy.

Trigg

I've only seen them online so far. No store I've been to carries them or has heard of them. The only reason why I know of them is because of some TB threads.

http://www.juststrings.com/hibeamfla...assguitar.html

I just realized that they're HI-BEAM flats. Hmm... roundwound core, perhaps? Definitely different than my hex-core Chromes, I'd imagine.

[vcs700s]

Originally Posted by SBassman

DD Chrome Flats are excellent.

Ditto! I love them!!

[Kael]

I'd also like to hear from someone who has A/B'd Chromes with the DR Hi Beam flats. I'm using Chromes at the moment on my fretless, and am reasonably pleased with them but am not just gaga over them.

[LoveThatBass]

I have found the type of strings needed are dependent on the following:

1. What Pickup used
2. Type of stuff you play
3. Individual ear as to the preference

For me my choice on a 51P RI is the DR High Beam while I like the GHS Boomers on a standard P bass with Seymour Duncan SPB-3 in it. I play classic rock, surf and country mostly. The Boomers sounded lifeless on the 51P RI but great on the regular P bass. I have used D'Addario Chromes and like them for a flatwound string but overall I do not like the dull tone of a Flatwound.

[canopener]

Chromes might be the best all purpose (aside from slap) string out there.

[tonytdodd]

In my view, TI are flats are the best. Daddario Chromes and Fender are also good. Rotosound Jazz are disappointing. Haven't tried any others.

[JanusZarate]

Originally Posted by tonytdodd

In my view, TI are flats are the best. Daddario Chromes and Fender are also good. Rotosound Jazz are disappointing.

Umm... any particular reasons why (for any of these)?

[sunbeast]

MysticBoo- you should try out some DR Black Beauties sometime too- I keep moving from DR set to DR set, and these are definitely my new favorite! They are supposedly the same string as the Hi-Beams, but have the black coating applied before wrapping. They really don't sound like Hi-Beams to me- they are actually the closest to the Chromes if I were going to compare to any other strings I've tried (except with more treble, but much less than the Hi-Beams thankfully!)- they are super growly and articulate and sound perfect for fingerstyle (for me!). They also last a long time (I've had the same set now for about a month and a half, I usually would change roundwounds every 2 weeks or so).

I have tried the DR flatwounds (I should say that they are currently installed on a bass that I rarely play), but not on a bass that I have used Chromes on, so I can't really offer a comparison. I think that the DRs have a more vintage flatwound sound (more thumpy than growly maybe?), but with a similar amount of treble- they aren't as bright as Roto flats (which I have used on the same bass), but have a similar tension (read- high!). I am waiting for them to put out a 5 string set to really have a good comparison! (Again- the current bass wearing them doesn't get much play....)

Karl

[canopener]

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

Umm... any particular reasons why (for any of these)?

I like Fender 9050 Flats too. IMO they are right up there with Chromes. The string tension is high, which I like, but I know is a turnoff for a lot of cats. Fender flats are a little more middy, but also have lots of thump.

[rickfan63]

I've tried several brands of flats, and I love the Chromes. I haven't tried the DR flats, but I also love the nickel Lo-Riders RW's.

[joeyl]

Originally Posted by LoveThatBass

2. Type of stuff you play

while mostly true, Mr Steve Harris plays in a band where I would surely expect rounds

[saxnbass]

Originally Posted by Kael

I'd also like to hear from someone who has A/B'd Chromes with the DR Hi Beam flats.

+1 I'd really like to know that.

[DeadMike]

I've got Chromes on all of my basses (Fenders and Spectors). I'm really happy with the effect of flats on the Spectors (active and passive). In fact, the flats on my Haloflash Performer gives me so much sustain and fatness to my bottom end, I couldn't ask for anything else.

[Juniorkimbrough]

I love Chromes as well! I use them on ALL of my basses.

[saxnbass]

Alright, I've only used D'Addario Chromes and whatever came on my MIM Fender (not sure they're the stock Fenders, cause it was a blem from Musician's Friend). How do the Chromes sound compared to:

The new DR Flats
LaBella Jamersons
Tomastik-Infeld Flats (Jazz, I think)

[Juniorkimbrough]

the only other flats I've tried were Labella's (Don't know if they were jamerson or not) but they seemed way too sticky feeling compared to the Chromes.