Flats for my new Fender Am. Dlx. P 5er

marwady · #1 07-23-2006, 02:27 PM

I recently got a new Fender Am. Dlx. P 5er and it is a great bass. However, I am not fond of the stock Fender strings (8250/5M), just to clangy for me. These are taperwound for string thru body.

After reading some posts, it looks like TI Jazz Flats or D'Addarrio Chromes are more what I am looking for. I have a MIM P Bass strung with LaBella flats and I love it for Motown/Jamerson stuff but would like something less thumpy and more pronounced on the P 5er.

I am also concerned with a too floppy B and how they hold up when used string thru.

Please share with me your thoughts on this.

Thx in advance.

bazzanderson · #2 07-23-2006, 05:18 PM

I had D'Addario Chromes (my string of choice) strung through the body on my MIA Jazz Bass Deluxe V with great results. The best feeling string on the market IMO. Loved the smooth tone and feel. I'd say go for it.
-Bazz-

Delberthot · #3 07-23-2006, 08:31 PM

Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, did I mention Chromes?

they are fantastic strings

Ole Man Blues · #4 07-23-2006, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delberthot

Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, Chromes, did I mention Chromes?

they are fantastic strings

+1 on the Chromes on any bass.........

OMB

marwady · #5 07-24-2006, 07:41 AM

WOW!!

Looks like I will give Chromes a try.

Iotanet pm'd me with the same advice.

Thanks all

Alexander · #6 07-24-2006, 07:48 AM

Yep - Chromes are it for me as well. Fat and smooth, but still retain that punch. Nice clear highs. Go for it.

lonote · #7 07-24-2006, 08:14 AM

Chromes, without a doubt.

marwady · #8 07-26-2006, 09:36 PM

Just put a set of chromes on and yep, you all were right. These are niiiiiiiiiice!

I still need to tweak the setup but, so far, they're exactly what I was looking for.

THX

Ole Man Blues · #9 07-27-2006, 09:20 AM

Congrats on the purchase....

Play em a while then try to go back to roundwound, you'll realize how noisy roundwound strings are, not to mention how quickly they'll eat your fingers and frets.......Flats were around long before roundwounds were invented.....

I use them on my P Bass, run the volume and tone controls dimed out and EQ everything from the amp. Works great this way for me............

OMB

ElBajista · #10 07-27-2006, 09:49 AM

Congrats on your satisfaction with the Chromes, but I highly recommend TI Jazz Flats (I've never tried Chromes).

They aren't "thumpy" like most flats, but have articulate and even punch across the strings from the lowest to highest note. Also, they have the sweetest midrange of any string I've ever tried. The B string is super clear, too.

Plus, I'd like to hear a string vs. string comparison between TIs and Chromes.

avid · #11 07-27-2006, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElBajista

Plus, I'd like to hear a string vs. string comparison between TIs and Chromes.

I'll second that motion!

David

clockworkwar · #12 07-27-2006, 10:42 AM

I use Rotosound flats perfection for me!

marwady · #13 07-27-2006, 03:40 PM

Some more feedback on chromes.

I find that these strings have a much better traditional P Bass sound than the stock roundwounds and are easier to eq on the bass. With everything set flat and vol at full, It comes very close to a passive P, just more output.

Small adjustments in eq and blend yield very noticeable tonal changes, making for a wide variety of sounds from this bass/string setup. I did have to adjust string height on the B and E because the stock set was taperwound and the chromes are not, no biggie.

Here is one issue that I had however, D'Addarrio did me proud!! The strings had a gray residue on them that got all over my fingers (and some of my furniture)

I called customer relations and they assured me that the residue was non toxic, just some polishing residue from dirty polishing pads that slipped through QC in manufacturing. I was able to wipe clean with alcohol pads. They are sending me another set for my troubles (and I can keep the originals)

Way to step up to the plate, D'Addario!!

I will report more after further bonding.

bassmonkeee · #14 07-27-2006, 03:45 PM

Heh. I've got Chromes on my fretted HHp Bongo 5 tuned BEADG, and I've got TI Flats on my fretless SCHp Bongo 5 tuned EADGC.

I love them both. So, I'm not really any help.

Ole Man Blues · #15 07-27-2006, 05:26 PM

Chromes aren't for everyone, only for those who have an application for them. Basicially it's the Tone inside your head and in your soul that you desire.

I've listened to Rock and Roll since Buddy Holly was popular and the P Bass sound is what sounds good to me. I just modify the Tone alittle for certain songs via the amplifier's EQ and I'm there. Chromes help me to achieve those Tones....

that's why I like and use them.........

OMB

Rockin John · #16 08-01-2006, 04:21 AM

Just to throw a bit of confusion into the pot ...

I use Rotossound 88s black nylon on my USA Dlx jazz 5 string. I'm not a rounds man at all and love the sound of flats. But these strings are just that bit different and it seems possible to get the Jazz to sound more like a passive bass than an active. (Long story behind why I might want to do that

...) Anyway, the rather unbass-like sound of the G with other strings on this bass, is changed to a nice bass sound with the 88s.

Something a bit different.

John

heath_the_great · #17 08-01-2006, 06:20 AM

ive got thomastic infelds on my blade (43-100)..needless to say i like em, but why not a heavier guage...or more than one choice?

...i would love something like 50-105/110..might have to try chromes next

marwady · #18 08-13-2006, 09:01 AM

Just a point of clarification on Chromes for Fender string thru body applications.

First, I was a bit apprehensive about stringing thru body on these because of breaking the string with the bends it would take. Absolutely no problem, they work fine and show no signs of stress.

Secondly, be sure to get the super long set. This will accomodate the extra inch or so of the string thru and the fit perfectly.

Again, thx for the advice, Chromes are the sound I hear in my head on this bass.