First D'Addario Chromes Try: DEAD E-string???

Audix99 · #1 10-19-2009, 09:24 AM

Hi all,

I bought a pack of D'Addario Chromes (45-100) to try on my MIJ P-Bass as my first trial with flats.
But---, the E string sounded---, well---, dead...

With A, D & G strings, I was getting a good balance of thick bottom, smooth mid and present high.
But the E string sounded very middy with almost complete lack of bass/bottom.
The tone I was getting from the E string was, in a way, similar to the sound you'd be getting by tapping on an empty metal oil drum with your fingernail.
Sounded really thin and no bottom at all.

I'd had a set of Roto 66 roundwound in that bass previously and had gotten much better bass/bottom out of it than I could with this flatwound, which was supposed to have more bottom...

So, did I get a defect set? Or is it normal???
Really don't want to spend another $30 to get another set of Chromes just to retry...

Thanks!!!

jgroh · #2 10-19-2009, 09:33 AM

Contact Daddarios customer service (look it up on their site) Tell them what you are experiencing and they will replace (at least) the string but probably the whole set free of charge.

NickRich · #3 10-19-2009, 09:44 AM

Same problem here. MiM Precision. First time with flats, my E string is quieter than the others.

My guess is my pickup is too low. It isn't set flat, currently my pickup is lower under the E string. I'm gonna fix this soon ...

Might be your problem too.

Audix99 · #4 10-19-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickRich

My guess is my pickup is too low. It isn't set flat, currently my pickup is lower under the E string. I'm gonna fix this soon ...

Might be your problem too.

I tried to adjust the pickup height by making it sitting farther or closer to the E-string.
But it didn't do much. Neither getting the PUP closer or farther to the E-string worked...

Honk'n_down-low · #5 10-19-2009, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audix99

I tried to adjust the pickup height by making it sitting farther or closer to the E-string.
But it didn't do much. Neither getting the PUP closer or farther to the E-string worked...

Guess you are just Un-Luck-E

Hit them up - they will likely replace the string.

Audix99 · #6 10-19-2009, 11:35 AM

Just sent an email to D'Addario.
Hopefully, then will get back to me shortly with an offer for exchanging the E-string.

Byzcat · #7 10-19-2009, 11:53 AM

OK, now I'm worried, because I've ordered the same strings through my local music store, and not really thrilled with the idea of a dead string after what's so far turning into a three-week wait.

Should have ordered from zZounds, that way if there was an issue, I would have had it resolved twice over by now. I would have but I had put a set of flats on the bass previously that were a heavier gauge than the stock strings after the owner of the store had told me that flatwounds only come in one gauge, ended up having massive problems with the neck (tightened the truss rod to the point were I was afraid that one more turn would snap it, and still had something more suitable for archery than music, and could never get the intonation right) and after I confronted him, he offered to order me a set of flats and sell them to me at cost, and I do like to support local business when possible, so I decided to give him a second chance.

pmaraziti · #8 10-19-2009, 12:03 PM

I had the same thought when I tried my TI FLats and also now that I tried the Chromes. The pup height is fine but the E string sounds as you say, very different in volume and tone to A, D and G. But when played with band, all is fine... it's just my impression when I play alone. Did you test with the band? if the problem persists also in band setting, then we're not experiencing the same.

EagleMoon · #9 10-20-2009, 01:13 AM

I've had that problem with several sets of D'Addarios I've ordered in the last year or so. Dead sounding E strings. And only one set was Chromes. The others were ProSteels and the regular XL's.

mongo2 · #10 10-20-2009, 03:44 AM

Interesting, I've used Chromes for years and never had a dead E string out of the package. However, several years ago I had 2 dead Chromes A strings which D'Addairo replaced after a phone call.

Audix99 · #11 10-20-2009, 10:53 AM

An update.

I sent an email to D'Addario yesterday.
I got an reply this morning and Mike at D'Addarios offering to send me a replacement string.

That was FAST and EXCELLENT customer service.
So yes, I am SOLD on D'Addario!!!

I gave him Q-Code (supposedly indicating lot number???) from the package.
Hopefully, they will identify the problem and fix it.

pmaraziti · #12 10-20-2009, 03:54 PM

It would be great if you could let us know if the new string solved the issue

Audix99 · #13 10-23-2009, 03:35 PM

An update.

I received a package from Mike at D'Addario today.
I fully expected to get only a replacement E-string.
But was was in the package was a brand new, complete pack of ECB81!!!
I was very presently surprised!!!

Just finished putting the new E-string on my MIJ P-Bass, and man WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!
Tight, yet very full and warm bottom that I did not get before!!!
I am completely happy, and will keep using D'Addario Chromes!!!

Thanks Mike!!!

Jason! · #14 10-23-2009, 03:58 PM

Cool that they hooked you up. The last set I got had a bad G. Maybe I should send an email...

Gearhead43 · #15 10-23-2009, 08:50 PM

**** happens, but glad you got hooked up.

I have tried quite a few sets of flats, and so far the Chromes are my fave. I like how they have a nice balance of warmth and just enough brightness - for flats they aren't dead sounding at all.

ljazz · #16 10-24-2009, 02:15 PM

I'm am very far from being a fan of DA's QC, but man, I can't use anything but chromes on my 08 MIA P. As good as you think they sound new, they're incredible after breaking in..... and they keep getting better. The set I have on now is going on 8 months. I can't wait to hear what they sound like in another year!

J. Crawford · #17 10-24-2009, 02:16 PM

I love my Chromes, and I dont seem to have this problem. They sound perfect to me.

But its good to know that they have good customer service!

jgroh · #18 10-24-2009, 02:23 PM

I had the same experience with Daddario. I contacted them when I had a bum string and they sent me a new set lickety split. Great service in my book.

Now, TI's, thats a different story. I got a dead E string on some flats of theirs and they replied to me that I need to ship the strings back so their engineers can determine the problem and then if its beyond their scope they will replace the string. It would be more trouble for me than its worth even though the strings were expensive. I know they dont "need" replace it but from my experience and what ive heard, they are the only ones that didnt come through.

brekfustuvluzer · #19 10-27-2009, 08:00 PM

im having the same problem with my 08 p and a set of labella deep talkin flats. roundwounds sounded fine on it before i put the flats on and i also tried the same set of flats on my other p with the same problem. i guess it could just be a dead string, but is there another possible problem, like the saddle having a muting effect or something?

JimmyM · #20 10-28-2009, 10:48 PM

You all aren't winding the string around the post by hand then winding up the rest of the string with the tuning machine, are you? That method can twist your string and cause it to be dead. Best way to do it is to thread the string into the post, let the string hang loose, and wind it up with the tuning machine, and don't let it twist.