Fender Or Chromes?

Russell L · #1 08-25-2011, 06:12 AM

I can't decide. Gonna order a set tonight. I have Fender 9050L on my '87 Jazz Bass Special, and now want flats on my '01 American Jazz. Originally, I was gonna get the Fender 9050M in order to get a beefier guage. 0.050 is what I want at least on the G-string, and 0.105 on the E-string. I don't know what the tension difference is for both sets, or what other things are different. I can get the Fender fo $18.99, the Chromes for $29.99. I hear good things about both. What do you guys think?

bassnat · #2 08-25-2011, 06:25 AM

Chromes.

DRafalske · #3 08-25-2011, 06:32 AM

I like both sets. I have Chromes on my Ric, and Fenders on my P-Bass. Both sets are 45-100.
I've tried Chromes in 50-105 and the tension is brutal, IMO.

D

shrimpflea · #4 08-25-2011, 07:55 AM

I've had both....prefer chromes, but they're similar strings...don't find the tension to be brutal but I used to play heavy gauge labella flats....so I guess it's what your used to.

azureblue · #5 08-25-2011, 08:01 AM

The Fenders have more mids and a bit less bottom than the Chromes. I think the Chromes have less of a defined sound, but the Chromes are great for a round low end sound. I found the Chrome strings' low E dies out into a "thud" after about a couple of years. I have not had the Fenders 9050's on long enough to see what happens at two years.

Russell L · #6 08-25-2011, 08:38 AM

Thanks so far, guys. I don't think I would mind the high tension, if that's the way the Chromes are. Actually, I might prefer it. I'm just wondering if they're worth the extra $11, and for what reason.

I don't like the idea of the low E dying out (thanks, azureblue). Anyone else notice that?

I will say that I have enjoyed the Fender 9050Ls on my Jazz Special, although the low E seems anemic. I've only had them on about two weeks now. Otherwise, I just wish they were a tad heavier guage.

Thanks in advance, ya'll, for any more comments.

lowgroove677 · #7 08-25-2011, 08:42 AM

I agree with the post above, chromes have a bit more beef than the new fenders. I find the new fenders sound great on my fretless, and chromes on fretted bass sound wonderful

tdub0199 · #8 08-25-2011, 08:42 AM

Chromes...

packhowitzer · #9 08-25-2011, 09:22 AM

I like chromes, but I honestly haven't tried the Fenders. Money is too tight for me to try all of the strings I want to. I do like the .50-.105 medium gauge. I did try a set of the .45-.100 and found it to be too light for my tastes. I left them on for about 6 months to try to get the most for my money, but in the end, they were just too light for me.

iiipopes · #10 08-25-2011, 09:37 AM

The Fenders are what changed me to flats after 35+ years using rounds. Great growl, great consistency both up the neck and across the fingerboard, very versatile and inexpensive. I don't notice any lack of bottom end. I think that instead, with more mids, there is simply a different tonal balance compared to chromes. They do last longer and don't thud out on the low E string like chromes do, from my experience.

fretlessguy · #11 08-25-2011, 09:54 AM

I like the new Fenders better than the Chromes. The sound and lesser tension is more to my liking.

Audiophage · #12 08-25-2011, 10:15 AM

I just got some .050 to .105 Chromes for my P bass about a month ago and I'm really liking them so far. I haven't had them long enough to die out, and the tension is about the same as the same gauge set of nickel rounds. I wouldn't write the Fenders off though, I've heard good things about them too.

Jay2U · #13 08-25-2011, 11:24 AM

I played both. I prefer d'Addario chromes over Fender 9050's. The Fenders produce a brighter sound, but are quite unequal in tension. The D-string doesn't feel right and slows me down.

The d'Addario's give me wings.

Russell L · #14 08-25-2011, 12:32 PM

Me oh my, I'm really scratching my head now, ya'll. Heh, heh. Thanks, but if I go bald I'll blame it on you. LOL. Well, what I could do is get the 9050s and if I don't like them I won't be out of too much dough. On the other hand, if the Chromes typically produce more bottom, it would be interesting to hear what they do on a Jazz Bass. At least that's one thing to consider. But, then again, I don't want them to be too deep. I like my mids, so...

Keep talking, I'm listening.

shrimpflea · #15 08-25-2011, 08:01 PM

I had the med. chromes on my p bass for a couple years....the E never died...all the strings mellowed out and got thumpier but thats what flats do. I had the med. fenders on my j bass and they sounded good....but lacked the lows and mids of the chromes to my ears.

kcole4001 · #16 08-26-2011, 02:22 PM

Not to hijack, but I'm planning on getting a set of medium flats for my 4001 tomorrow and thinking of chromes, but I've never tried them.

My issue is, it's a Rick, so the shorter scale length and the fact that I keep it tuned 1/2 step down from standard tuning means that I want a higher tension string set, and I'm using it in what's basically an oldies band (Beatles, Everly Bros, etc.).

I normally prefer nickel rounds, but I think flats would better suit the purpose of this band.
I have tried TI Jazz flats in standard tuning and they're way too loose for me.
I don't want to give up too much sustain, and would like to retain some clarity in the higher frequencies, but I'm not too concerned with high end loss. I think the Rick will make up what I need easily if necessary.
Low end smoothness is more of a concern.

Are chromes a good fit for this situation, or would anyone recommend another option?

Russell L · #17 08-28-2011, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcole4001

Not to hijack, but I'm planning on getting a set of medium flats for my 4001 tomorrow and thinking of chromes, but I've never tried them.

My issue is, it's a Rick, so the shorter scale length and the fact that I keep it tuned 1/2 step down from standard tuning means that I want a higher tension string set, and I'm using it in what's basically an oldies band (Beatles, Everly Bros, etc.).

I normally prefer nickel rounds, but I think flats would better suit the purpose of this band.
I have tried TI Jazz flats in standard tuning and they're way too loose for me.
I don't want to give up too much sustain, and would like to retain some clarity in the higher frequencies, but I'm not too concerned with high end loss. I think the Rick will make up what I need easily if necessary.
Low end smoothness is more of a concern.

Are chromes a good fit for this situation, or would anyone recommend another option?

No prob, pal. I'm bumping this thread back up (it's my thread) to see if someone can give you an answer. I've decided to try the Chromes on my Jazz. I'll let you all know how they do.

kcole4001 · #18 08-28-2011, 10:22 AM

I got some chromes yesterday, medium guage seem to be what I'm after tension-wise.
I used to use Fenders when I started playing, and they were pretty high tension, but the bass was a short scale, it was 30 years ago, and I can't remember what set they were.

I'll know how well they'll work after a couple of days of settling in.
They're going on the old 4001 today.

arsie · #19 08-28-2011, 08:03 PM

I tried Chromes on my new 4003 and was not completely in love. I have the same Regular Light (45-100) Chromes on my Stingray 4H and my Squier PJ and loved the tone on both, but it was just that little bit imperfect on the Ric. I suspect the problem is that it becomes neither here nor there. The Chromes are great to tame the excesses of the Stingray, but its just a little short for bringing out the growl of the Ric.

I went with DR Sunbeams instead and am happier with the tone and playability. I think I will try more traditional flats like LaBella on the Ric in future for more thumping good times.

kcole4001 · #20 08-29-2011, 09:09 AM

So far I like the heavier tension and extra stiffness to combat the sloppiness of the medium rounds I had on there, since it's tuned to Eb.

I'm using this bass in an oldies band, so the taming aspect should be beneficial also.

I'll try it through my rig tonight.