Just got my first set of extra light Chromes

dave_bass5 · #1 08-14-2008, 02:00 PM

Ive had chromes before and didnt really get on with them but thought now i have a P (Duck Dunn) ill give them another go.
I think i was a bit worried about tension and so ordered the 40-95 set.
Ive strung through the bridge and it all seemed to go well until I started playing. My perfect set up is now in tatters.
So now my question is this. Is it normal that going from a medium gauge (45-105) to these i need to take the action up quite a bit and also adjust the truss rod?
Im ok with doing all this but i dont normally have to when changing strings although i dont normally go this light.
I have used TI's in the past and didnt need to make this sort of adjustment.

Whats worrying me is that while the E string now feels a bit high im getting rattle around the first-fourth fret. I guess being so light its to be expected but i just want some re assurance.

Thanks.

Mastermold · #2 08-14-2008, 03:55 PM

Going from a medium set of Chromes to a light set is a pretty big tension change. Go to Juststrings.com and click on the D'Addario strings and they'll show you the tension difference in their charts. You may need to play with your truss rod for a few days until you've worked out the proper counter-tension.

badboy1984 · #3 08-14-2008, 04:44 PM

i use the exact same gauge chromes as you on my jazz.

I have to do a full setup on these string, after the setup the bass play well and nice. After 1 month of use the string seems to sound good and settle well on the bass. These flats are pretty bright but also ditch out the warm mellow sound. So i'm happy with this strings.

king_biscuit · #4 08-14-2008, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave_bass5

So now my question is this. Is it normal that going from a medium gauge (45-105) to these i need to take the action up quite a bit and also adjust the truss rod?

Thanks.

Depends on the bass, but that's a pretty big tension difference, so yeah, I'd expect to have to redo everything (neck relief, bridge height, pickup height, intonation, in that order). btw, the TIs are ligher (tension) than the extra light Chromes

nortonrider · #5 08-14-2008, 05:35 PM

How are the extra light Chromes for tapping?

I dig my Chromes (45-105) for everything fingerstyle but if I want to try to tap something, I have to put down my jazz and grab my other bass.

dave_bass5 · #6 08-15-2008, 01:56 AM

Cheers guys.
Actually im coming from Elixirs which seem to have quite a high tension compared to what im used to.
I guess i should expect to make changes, its just that over the past 5 years ive used a lot of different strings on different bass's and i guess ive been lucky in that most of the adjustment shave just been string height.

Not sure ill keep these strings on but ill certainly do a gig or two before i decide. I like the finger style tone but i do play about 70% with a pick and thats where i notice the brightness.
I've used TI's in the past (3 times) and love the feel but always thought there was something missing from the top end, thats the reason i'm trying the Chromes out. i know flats arent suposed to be bright but im hoping these Chromes will have the edge over the TI's. We play a lot of 60's-70's covers so i feel flats are a good idea.

rodl2005 · #7 08-15-2008, 02:17 AM

I really LIKE the Chromes & I use the same guage on my P-bass. After a few weeks they DO settle in & mine've been good for about 6 months so far-hope they stay that way for a no. of yrs. Bit different to RW's ;-) I wipe mine down W/ a damp metho/alcohol rag after each gig! I like 'em for slap as well as pick & fingers. & yeah DO the adjustings in the order said above!!

dave_bass5 · #8 08-15-2008, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by king_biscuit

Depends on the bass, but that's a pretty big tension difference, so yeah, I'd expect to have to redo everything (neck relief, bridge height, pickup height, intonation, in that order). btw, the TIs are ligher (tension) than the extra light Chromes

Thats the thing. Ive not had to make as many adjustments getting TI's to play well in the past and yes, they are lighter.

Its was really just how close they were to the fret board that worried me but i took the string height up and loosened the truss rod a bit and its much better. Im just worried that going on my past record i wont get on with them and will go back to the Elixirs and then ill need to adjust it all over again.

Im gigging all weekend and im sure they will be fine though.

rod, ill give them a few weeks at least and see how they go.

fretlessguy · #9 08-15-2008, 06:00 AM

Going from a higher tension with medium gauge to lower tension with light gauge will require some changes. yes, your truss rod will need teaking, the action overall will need lowering and/or raising depending on how you play and it will need intonating as well.

I think you will like the light gauge chromes if you like the sound of slightly brighter flats. They are some of my favorite strings for the same reason you stated.

you may want a local luthier to do the adjusting for you if you do not trust yourself doing it, and then you could keep the same settings if you want to keep Chromes that gauge from now on.

dave_bass5 · #10 08-15-2008, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretlessguy

Going from a higher tension with medium gauge to lower tension with light gauge will require some changes. yes, your truss rod will need teaking, the action overall will need lowering and/or raising depending on how you play and it will need intonating as well.

I think you will like the light gauge chromes if you like the sound of slightly brighter flats. They are some of my favorite strings for the same reason you stated.

you may want a local luthier to do the adjusting for you if you do not trust yourself doing it, and then you could keep the same settings if you want to keep Chromes that gauge from now on.

thanks.
Im quite happy to do all the adjusting myself. Funny enough after all the adjusting i did last night the only thing that didn't need changing was the intonation and while it was pretty good before (i tend not to do it often and ive had a few string changes since i last did it) its even better now. All strings are spot on.

73jbass · #11 08-15-2008, 06:29 AM

You shouldn't have to readjust the bridge saddles,just the truss rod to get the neck back to the proper relief.

dave_bass5 · #12 08-21-2008, 04:53 PM

Just wanted to report back and say how pleased i am with the Chromes (for now).
Very easy to play and while the tone is a bit more mellow than im used to it seems to fit in nicely with our sound.