Do Chromes mellow out?

[jmceachern36]

Do Chromes mellow out a bit? I've always used GHS flats. They're smooth and sound like flatwounds right away. The Chromes are sticky and sound like rounds. Worst of both worlds. They were on my Birdsong when I bought it. The one thing I do like about them is the very thick and punchy mid and upper mids. They cut through the mix better than the GHS flats. Will the Chromes start to sound like flats and get smooth?

[screaminglucy]

i don't know if they'll get smooth but they will mellow after about a month

[T40Chump]

I just hit six months with one bass and a month on another. The six month old strings have mellowed some but they still have a nice attack without the zing.

Getting Chromes was the best string decision I've ever made. I really like these things.

BTW I put alcohol on my new ones before installing them and noticed no stickiness.

[MrCincinnati]

I just started with a set - first set of flats - they're not sticky at all

[thesilence]

Yes they mellow out mine took about a month

[RCCollins]

Answer: not enough, if you are used to the more old-school GHS flats.

IMO, Chromes are an abomination

[VincentSalizeri]

They get a bit less punchy, but I don't think they ever really die down to the mellowness of other flats. Personally, I kind of like it.

[JSK5String]

Originally Posted by VincentSalizeri

They get a bit less punchy, but I don't think they ever really die down to the mellowness of other flats. Personally, I kind of like it.

+1 They're the perfect flats for a guy like me, who had been playing rounds for 30 years before making the switch about two years ago.

[Bassin']

I've had the same set of Chromes on my P5 for about 1 1/2 years now and they've mellowed a whole bunch. I even bought a new set to get some of the punch back but can't convince myself to actually change them out because I do like where they're at now.

[EndlessNameless]

My chromes were very sticky when I first got them but I read that they get smoother over time. I couldn't wait so every once in a while I'd rub my fingers up and down the strings a few times quite firmly. It didn't take long to get them ultra-smooth.

Also, I love that they're brighter than regular flats without being as bright as rounds. Makes them more versatile since you can dial off the brightness if you want.

[steelhead2]

on my fretless J,they're 1.5 years old ,every body that plays it says`fantastic',my other axe being a fretted P with SIT silencers so in comparison=yes they are mellower,don't recall any stickyness but i did have to wipe em down to remove machineing dust(i guess that's what you'd call it),super reliable strings,had em on a couple Squier basses before the fretless(a year on that they just feel better every time too)

i'd like to try the `silencers' on a fretted J they've never really calmed down much,the `Chromes' i'd recomend em but i have no intention of purchasing more sets,,too many other brands to try(had SHaris rotos and Fender flats,time for some labellas i guess?)

[eff-clef]

Originally Posted by steelhead2

on my fretless J,they're 1.5 years old ,every body that plays it says`fantastic',my other axe being a fretted P with SIT silencers so in comparison=yes they are mellower,don't recall any stickyness but i did have to wipe em down to remove machineing dust(i guess that's what you'd call it),super reliable strings,had em on a couple Squier basses before the fretless(a year on that they just feel better every time too)

i'd like to try the `silencers' on a fretted J they've never really calmed down much,the `Chromes' i'd recomend em but i have no intention of purchasing more sets,,too many other brands to try(had SHaris rotos and Fender flats,time for some labellas i guess?)

Go for the Fender (new)9050CL flats. I think they are better than chromes. I think they would appeal to anybody who likes chromes. They are smooth(not sticky) and are very lively with a great fundamental. Thy're also inexpensive.

[turbo chicken]

mine were sticky when i first got them too.. i thought it was just me.
i've had mine over a year now... i'd love to honestly say they are more mellow.. but i can't remember what they sounded like last year.

They still sound good if that matters...

and i almost alway's roll off the highs.. often i got that tone knob all the way down... or less than half... i like that mellow thud

[jmceachern36]

Thanks for the responses. I put the GHS flats back on. I'm not patient enough I guess. I was trying to stick with them because I'm playing in this heavy rock cover band and I thought they might cut through better but the GHS flats seem to do just fine. Actually better than just fine. They sound and cut through great.

[88ric2030]

The Chromes certainly do mellow out, but if you expect that sound straight out of the box, go with the GHS Precision Flats

[DaveAceofBass]

I've tried Chromes and I think they're great! I have SIT Silencers on my Kinal now, and they sound great but feel awful. They're very "sticky" feeling. I much prefer the GHS Pressurewounds, which I have on my fretless. If I go back to flats at any time, Chromes will likely be it! Otherwise I like the GHS Pressurewounds, DR Sunbeams and Fatbeams.

[Surly]

Yes they do, but still keep some high mid bite. I'll use Labella 760FL's if I want a less bright flatwound tone.

[mozarwasagenius]

Originally Posted by jmceachern36

Do Chromes mellow out a bit? I've always used GHS flats. They're smooth and sound like flatwounds right away. The Chromes are sticky and sound like rounds. Worst of both worlds. They were on my Birdsong when I bought it. The one thing I do like about them is the very thick and punchy mid and upper mids. They cut through the mix better than the GHS flats. Will the Chromes start to sound like flats and get smooth?

I find that chromes do mellow out. However, if you want the sound of broken in Chromes, I highly recommend Ernie Ball flatwounds. Similar in feel and tone but less bright.

[phatbass]

Going a bit off-subject, but how much tension do the Chromes have compared to the same gauge of roundwound? Most flatwounds I've tried, with the exception of the Thomastik Jazz, seem to be noticeably heavier feeling than the equivalent gauge roundwound.

I'm interested in trying a set on my Precision.

[carlos840]

They are a bit tighter but not that much!
A lot tighter than TIs but nothing compared to jamersons!