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Just put on my first set of flats (Cromes!) - "Review" + Questions

N

Nyarlathotep

Inactive
Feb 5, 2006
8,987
10
43
West Coast of Canada
www.soundclick.com
#1
OMFG, these b*****s sound awsome w/o EQing! Any of the rounds I tried would sound too bright with the tone open, and too hollow with the tone closed. Even after I'd had them on for a while, they just sounded like carp :p With EQing, I've got the dub tone I've been searching for!

Anyway, I get a nice mwahish type sound even though I play a fretted bass. It's a real nice change, and one I'm sure I'll stay with.

Also, in the (approx.) year I played w/ rounds, I kept goin' through sets like an alcoholic through a case of beer! They kept dyin' on me. From what I've heard flats don't do that, they keep their tone forever (almost...). Though I'll find out for myself, I was just wondering if this was true? I did a search, and it does seem to be! It'd make me very happy to read some more confirmations though :D
 
#2
Hey Dark- thanks for the review and glad you're digging your Chromes. As for how long they will last, I think about 3-4 months is about average, unless of course you dig the tone they settle into. :) I used a set of LaBellas for 6 or 7 months. Some people never change them.:eek: The one sure thing is that they will outlast rounds by far (and cost more too.):crying:
 
#6
Hey DarkHearted...

If you have a problem with keeping your strings fresh, you probably have fairly acidic sweat.

Some quick tips:

-Get a nice cotton cloth (I use plain white bar cloths, found at a cullinary supply shop) for your strings. Wipe them down very well after playing, this includes the backsides of the strings. I use a different cloth for the body of my bass.

-Go to your local hardware store and in the paint and solvents section, buy yourself a fair sized container of Denatured alcohol (or Menthalated Spirits (same thing)). When your strings get dead, soak them (at least overnight) then re-string. This should make your strings last at least twice as long. I buy strings sets in twos. That way I always have a set soaking and a set on my bass. Lots of guys rig up a special 'long container' made of PVC pipe to soak, but I just used a sealed tupperware kitchen container and it works fine.
 
#7
BurningSkies said:
Hey DarkHearted...

If you have a problem with keeping your strings fresh, you probably have fairly acidic sweat.

Some quick tips:

-Get a nice cotton cloth (I use plain white bar cloths, found at a cullinary supply shop) for your strings. Wipe them down very well after playing, this includes the backsides of the strings. I use a different cloth for the body of my bass.

-Go to your local hardware store and in the paint and solvents section, buy yourself a fair sized container of Denatured alcohol (or Menthalated Spirits (same thing)). When your strings get dead, soak them (at least overnight) then re-string. This should make your strings last at least twice as long. I buy strings sets in twos. That way I always have a set soaking and a set on my bass. Lots of guys rig up a special 'long container' made of PVC pipe to soak, but I just used a sealed tupperware kitchen container and it works fine.
Click to expand...

:cool:, Thanks for the advice
 
#9
DarkHarted said:
:cool:, Thanks for the advice
Click to expand...
Hey guy, glad you're diggin the Chromes. I've had them on all my Basses, even the Stingray I used to own, I really enjoy the Tone. You can EQ all kind of tone out of these things. I've had mine on for months no fret wear and the Worship team at church really like what they do for our overall tone. I use mine on a Fender P Bass and it gives it a hugh and GLORIOUS bottom end. Seems like the longer I use them the better they sound.....just wipe em down after each use and they are ready for the next time. Enjoy......:)

OMB
 
#14
Chromes are what tamed my Rick 4003. i love them. I used to enjoy the sharp twangyness of new rounds but as I get older, I find myself playing further away from the bridge and looking for a good solid tone rather than that twang.

Chromes are the dogs - they sound brighter than regular flats - in fact, I'm going to order myself another set for my 5 string right now :bassist:
 
#15
Delberthot said:
Chromes are what tamed my Rick 4003. i love them. I used to enjoy the sharp twangyness of new rounds but as I get older, I find myself playing further away from the bridge and looking for a good solid tone rather than that twang.

Chromes are the dogs - they sound brighter than regular flats - in fact, I'm going to order myself another set for my 5 string right now :bassist:
Click to expand...
Using Chromes on my P Bass I run the Volume and Tone controls on the Bass wide open and EQ the Tone I need from the amp, works best this way for me.:cool: I play just behind the pickup......:bassist:

OMB
 
#18
Man, this is fascinating to me. I have been playing for almost a quarter century and for all those years I have been a round-wound user. I always thought that flats were for really thuddy, old-school blues - more to emulate the sound of an upright the for a rock thing...

More and more I am starting to believe that I have been off-base in my assumptions... I am still and modern rock/alt-pop/funk/RnB/ occasional slapper... How do you flat users thing flats would work on my:

Fender Jazz V?

EBMMSR5?

Both fretted...
 
#19
mb1, there's nothing specific you need to know about stringing your bass with flats, with the exception that flatwounds normally have higher tension then rounds, so you possibly have to adjust your truss rod (by turning the screw clockwise in that case)... also, as flats produce only little to virtually no fret buzz you can lower the string action by turning the truss rod screw clockwise as well...
 
#20
The daddario chromes 5 string set I got 65-132 are about the same tension as the 70-135 set I had in rounds. I actually like the treble of the flats better than the rounds I had, especially on the higher strings. More smooooth, not biting. I find there is more of a "mwha" type midrange, even on a fretted bass. They have a fuller sound IMO. Can't wait to try them w/ my synthy rig. should work out nice. Oh, and even through my SAPDDI, blend full on, with treble cut completely, and mids cut at 750 Hz (for that extra mid-cut).... I still get the mwha sound :D Make me very happy!!! :D :D :D :D
 

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