D'Addario Chromes + Top Loaded = Heaven

CPplaysBASS · #1 11-06-2009, 10:29 PM

Lot of threads here extolling the virtues of D'Addario Chromes I know ... for that reason you think I would have latched on to them before now.

After spending the last 8 months burning through Rotosound Jazz 77s (too much tension, inconsistent sets, dead E strings in my experience), Fender 9050Ms (wayyyy too much tension for me, but beautiful deep tone), Fender 9050MLs (pretty close to perfection by still too much tension when I tried to execute fast runs), and TI flats (knew I was going to the opposite end of the scale, but nothing ventured, nothing gained ... I personally could not stand the REALLY low tension although the tone was amazing), my search is finally over ...

The D'Addario Chromes (45-100) get me close to the tone of the Fender MLs (45-95) I loved so much, but the tension is absolute perfection. What I specifically prefer about the tone over the TIs is what I call a deep full "airy" tone.

I put them on both my P-Bass and Jazz and I'm not hearing the "zing" that bothers some with new sets of Chromes. Maybe because I'm used to the Fenders which have a lot of top-end. I find the Chomes just slightly darker in a very good way. I'm stoked and know the tone will improve even more with time.

But the biggest problem I had that is now solved has to do with the whole string-thru the body versus string-thru the bridge debate with flatwounds.

I was driving myself batty for the past year trying to get rid of D string buzz on the 4th and 5th frets of both the P-Bass and Jazz ... I talked to various techs, checked for raised frets, did countless setups ... I finally came to the conclusion I was digging in too much and tried playing with a lighter touch.

Sounds simple now, especially since I also have a 50's P Classis that I have to top-load through the bridge and didn't buzz, but the problem the whole time has been stringing the flats through the body.

I know others string flats through the body and have no problems, but wanted to post this for anyone else who may be at wits end trying to correct fret buzz when everything else with the setup is correct. Especially since I always insisted to others here in TB that there were no issues stringing flats through the body.

I just stumbled across it since the "long" D'Addario Chromes do not fit properly when strung through the body on a 34" scale bass ... the silk threads end up going over the nut and extends into the fretboard area.

I learned that lesson earlier this year when I first bought Chromes and automatically strung them thru the body, cut them, and then started winding them only to find out I screwed up. I gave up on them then, but out of desperation, gave them a second try ... thankfully.

So that's my string experience ... one hell of a frustrating ride that seemed so unnecessary in retrospect, but with so many factors at play when it comes to instuments, sometimes the obvious gets missed!

Top loaded Chromes for me all the way from now on!

thombo · #2 11-07-2009, 04:05 PM

i've been wanting flats for awhile and, after reading your post, i bought a 5-string set of chromes... the E & B-strings wouldn't fit through the holes on my bridge. the high strings were too short when strung through the body of my bass (34" P-bass and Stingray).

happy to hear that they worked for you, my search continues.

J. Crawford · #3 11-07-2009, 04:09 PM

Yup, Chromes on all 3 of my basses. Im not looking back, either.

mongo2 · #4 11-07-2009, 04:13 PM

I've used chromes a lot but recently switched to Labella 760FMs. The Labellas have a much smoother feel and tone, IMO.

Jefenator · #5 11-07-2009, 04:14 PM

Interesting - was just debating between Chromes & GHS to throw on my '51 RI after having a bit of a struggle with Roto's.

TFS!

SBrown · #6 11-07-2009, 04:24 PM

After never really playing with a pick that much, I have recently fallen in love with the pick tone of the Chromes with the rock band.

dmusic148 · #7 11-07-2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CPplaysBASS

I know others string flats through the body and have no problems, but wanted to post this for anyone else who may be at wits end trying to correct fret buzz when everything else with the setup is correct.

Glad you got it sorted, but I'm not clear on why you think through-body vs. top-load can affect fret buzz. I cannot imagine how it would be relevant.

CPplaysBASS · #8 11-07-2009, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmusic148

Glad you got it sorted, but I'm not clear on why you think through-body vs. top-load can affect fret buzz. I cannot imagine how it would be relevant.

I hear what you're saying, and I obviously didn't think it was relevant either since I only fluked upon it. But various brands buzzing in the same spot when strung through the body, and then suddenly no buzzing when top loaded ...

My theory is that the sharp bend in the string does in fact compromise flatwounds (although I never believed it before yesterday), and perhaps since the D string is the one with the highest tension, that's the one most negatively affected by being strung thru the body.

Just a theory ... why just around the 4th and 5th frets? That remains a mystery.

I also think I have a heavier tough with my plucking hand than most, so maybe that's why was more problematic for me compared to others who string flats thru the body with no problems at all.

Know longer sure my thread belongs in "strings" or "setup" ... interconnected issues!

ProfGumby · #9 11-07-2009, 10:02 PM

I just ordered some GHS Brites for my Squier CV. I have the chromes on my Squier VM and wonder if I am making a smart move wandering away from chromes for the CV. I am also getting some GHS pressure wounds to see how they compare to the half rounds on my Geddy clone...

This is a test, This is only a test.

ljazz · #10 11-08-2009, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfGumby

I just ordered some GHS Brites for my Squier CV. I have the chromes on my Squier VM and wonder if I am making a smart move wandering away from chromes for the CV. I am also getting some GHS pressure wounds to see how they compare to the half rounds on my Geddy clone...

This is a test, This is only a test.

You'll never know unless you try!

I never liked Chromes on my basses.... but I've found they are the only strings I like on my '08 MIA P. Fender Flats, too bright and hallow..... TIJF's, too passive/soft sounding..... Labellas, no thump at all. The pup in the new P's is just so tame sounding, it really took the chromes to open it up for me.

ljazz · #11 11-08-2009, 06:33 AM

No more string through body with flats for me. With rounds, the core can bend without the winding creating pressure.... the round windings allow can roll up the diameter of the winds. With flats, the bend crams the winds together on the inside of the bend, and spreads them out on the outside of the bend. I really wanted to like it with my P, but the d string had developed this overtone that made is sound like a fretless. The A was getting funky too. I hated pulling them off, because they had broken in beautifully (overtones aside).

The new set of chromes is top loaded, and they're starting sound great after a couple of rehearsals and a gig last night. Tons of compliments on my tone.