Have chromes changed?

bobsacamano · #1 03-22-2011, 11:52 PM

I just replaced the set of D'addario chromes that have been on my bass for two and a half years with another set of chromes. The new chromes feel different. They don't have any polish on them, and they feel rough compared with the old pair. Has D'addario changed in the past two years or did I just get a bad batch?

I'm pretty disapointed in this set and I'm open to suggestions for a new flatwound to try. Right now I'm leaning toward ghs.

Double Agent · #2 03-23-2011, 07:33 AM

Let them break in. You can't compare brand new strings to 2.5 year old strings. Give them about a month or so, you might find them starting to sound more like your old Chromes once they have a chance to acquire some funk.

My next set of flats is going to be some La Bella Deep Talkin' Flats. Apparently, the lighter gauge (760FL) has a lot more treble than the other gauges (no personal experience on this, but I've read it here multiple times), so if you like Chromes those might work for you.

bobsacamano · #3 03-23-2011, 07:41 AM

I know the strings tone will change. My last pair started out bright as well. I'm only complaining about the rough feeling of the strings. Will the winding smooth out with use?
Thanks for suggesting the la bella flats.

Root 5 · #4 03-23-2011, 08:13 AM

I'd go with GHS if the Chromes don't work for ya.

david fitch · #5 03-23-2011, 08:45 AM

I've had a few rough feeling strings out of a couple SETS of D'addario Chromes. One G string was so bad I had to take the SET back and have the store give me a new SET. I also use GHS Precision Flatwounds and have never had a bad string out of a SET of the GHS Flats.

bobsacamano · #6 03-23-2011, 07:05 PM

I think I'll go with the ghs flats. Which gauge will feel most like the d'addario mediums tension wise?

Fender4Me · #7 03-23-2011, 09:17 PM

I have wondered the same thing. The last 2 sets of Chromes that I bought had a rougher feel than my older sets. Not as polished. They sound the same though.

Loel · #8 03-23-2011, 09:49 PM

Yes it seems they've changed the polishing process,
liked them better when they were shinny hence the
name chromes,whish they'ed bring that back..

totallyfrozen · #9 03-23-2011, 11:23 PM

Dare I say it?
Fender 9050's are smoother than Chromes. I actually put a set of Chromes on my p-bass because of all the hype on TB about them and found them rougher than the Fenders. When it comes time to change strings again, I'm going back to Fender 9050's.

I think the Fenders are cheaper too, but I don't remember for sure.

Madcity Fats · #10 03-24-2011, 07:12 AM

I haven't experienced this, but then I haven't bought a set of Chromes in probably over a year.

I did email the company (yes, a novel idea, I know) and pointed them to this thread, so hopefully they'll either reply to me or comment here and we'll get a definitive answer on the subject.

I mentioned in my email that much of what I love about Chromes is the way they feel and that I hoped they weren't cutting corners, lest I be forced to change brands. We'll see ...

88ric2030 · #11 03-24-2011, 08:55 AM

It's been a little over a year since I've bought a set of Chromes, not since the "new" Fender 9050s came out, which reportedly are manufactured by D'addario. I'm wondering if they are using the same formula for "new" Chromes. The Fenders are not as smooth as the older Chromes, so that would make sense to me.

bobsacamano · #12 03-24-2011, 09:29 AM

Good idea Madcity. I'd be more than happy to buy another set of chromes as long as I knew they were going to be smooth.

Surly · #13 03-24-2011, 09:51 AM

I've been using Chromes for a few years. My last set I bought a few months ago and they have all felt the same to me. I have a set of the mediums on my favorite P-bass and I am contemplating switching them out for the Labella 760FM's. I have used Labellas before and find them to have a more rounded tone, especially with pick playing. I'm hoping I will still like the feel of the 760FM's on this particular bass. I think tension-wise they are similar to the Chromes.

Mr. Earl · #14 03-24-2011, 08:17 PM

Try the Rotosound flatwounds. Great punch and smooth tone. Sound great on my P-bass

bassbully · #15 03-25-2011, 07:32 AM

Change Chromes? Why?

Madcity Fats · #16 03-25-2011, 09:19 PM

Below is the response I received from D'Addario:
_________________________
We are powerless to suppress any type of speculation but the fact is that we here at D'Addario are not in the business of cutting corners and that anyone would assume so is unfortunate. We strive to continually put forth (no matter if its PLANET WAVES, EVANS, RICO etc.) the best made product available. If you still have the strings then please follow the link below, fill in the info, ship the product back to us and a new set will be sent your way. The process of the chromes has not changed. Doesn't mean a bad set didn't slip past us.

Enjoy and have a nice day.

www.daddario.com/RA

*if this is not acceptable than please e-mail me stating so and I will do all that I can to remedy the situation.

George Santos
CR-Fretted,CR-Planet Waves,CR-Evans
D'Addario & Company, Inc.

Surly · #17 03-25-2011, 09:48 PM

Anyone ever have this happen: ..?

The other night I went to switch out strings on my P-bass (with high mass bridge) which was wearing medium guage chromes. I loosened up the E and took it off, only to find my new set was accidentally medium scale, so the string was too short. After putting back on the old E (Chrome), it sounded different. It was brighter and zingy like a new Chrome sounds. When plucked with a pick it had that zing almost like a roundwound string. This again, reminded me of what Chromes sound like new. I suppose maybe the string wasn't sitting in the bridge properly and was sort of being muted. I checked the other strings and tried to move them a bit, but their sound didn't change. Now I have an E string that sounds different. Heh.. weird! I've owned a few sets of Chromes and have never experienced this. I like Chromes and every company that mass produces a product will have manufacturing defects. I'm not saying I have a bad set of strings, but all in all I think other companies may produce a better quality flatwound.

JustDavid · #18 03-26-2011, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madcity Fats

Below is the response I received from D'Addario:
_________________________
We are powerless to suppress any type of speculation but the fact is that we here at D'Addario are not in the business of cutting corners and that anyone would assume so is unfortunate. We strive to continually put forth (no matter if its PLANET WAVES, EVANS, RICO etc.) the best made product available. If you still have the strings then please follow the link below, fill in the info, ship the product back to us and a new set will be sent your way. The process of the chromes has not changed. Doesn't mean a bad set didn't slip past us.

Enjoy and have a nice day.

www.daddario.com/RA

*if this is not acceptable than please e-mail me stating so and I will do all that I can to remedy the situation.

George Santos
CR-Fretted,CR-Planet Waves,CR-Evans
D'Addario & Company, Inc.

Nice. & in line with their response to an issue I had with a set of Chromes 10 years ago.

Any mention if that process applies generally, or if someone has to take the trouble to email D'Addario themselves before going this route?

Loel · #19 03-26-2011, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madcity Fats

Below is the response I received from D'Addario:
_________________________
We are powerless to suppress any type of speculation but the fact is that we here at D'Addario are not in the business of cutting corners and that anyone would assume so is unfortunate. We strive to continually put forth (no matter if its PLANET WAVES, EVANS, RICO etc.) the best made product available. If you still have the strings then please follow the link below, fill in the info, ship the product back to us and a new set will be sent your way. The process of the chromes has not changed. Doesn't mean a bad set didn't slip past us.

Enjoy and have a nice day.

www.daddario.com/RA

*if this is not acceptable than please e-mail me stating so and I will do all that I can to remedy the situation.

George Santos
CR-Fretted,CR-Planet Waves,CR-Evans
D'Addario & Company, Inc.

The current chromes don't have the same chrome polishing
as they did back when they where pakaged in seperate
envolopes,they are duller in appearence but seem to have
the same sound,some part of the process was discontinued..

paintrain · #20 03-27-2011, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surly

After putting back on the old E (Chrome), it sounded different.

The string may vibrate against the bridge, thus making the zingy sound. Some pressure on the string right after the bridge may remove it.
At least thats what I did with my new (unpolished) chromes.

Those 'new' chromes are way to rough for my taste and frets.
They feel rougher than my ss-Roundwounds and probably eat the frets just as good.