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A question for Chromes users..

Sav'nBass

Sav'nBass

Jan 18, 2009
4,783
2,516
Virginia Beach
#1
I recently bought a fretless electric.. My original plan was to put the TI flats that I had on my Jazz on the fretless.. I got a set of round Elixers for the Jazz... (I used to use them a few years back till I got on the DR wagon but I decided to go back and I am glad I did.. :) ) and when I went to put the TIs on this fretless I was totally bummed out to find that they did not fit. It seems that when TI says Jazz Flats .. they mean Jazz Flats ... When I tried to put these strings on my fretless (which of course is not a Jazz bass) .... if I went through the body the silk winding went over the nut.... if I went through the bridge the windings went over the saddles... so now I have these TIs that I can't use ... and it's cool for now... I may try to sell them in a bit but for now I am just sucking it up.. but anyway I decided to try some Chromes because the stock strings on this bass leave a lot to be desired.. Today during the course of my day today I was driving past a GC so I decided to just drop in and snag a set of Chromes but then I got to thinking .. what if they have the same issue... I have not opened them yet so I can always take them back.. but before I opened them I figured I would just come here and ask :

Do chromes even have windings on them? I seem to remember that the XLs did not have windings on them if my memory serves me correctly and the DRs don't either so my concerns may be moot.. but can someone who uses Chromes holler back and let me know if they even have windings or not.? I like the sound of the TIs and I just figured I'd put them on this fretless.. but that plan got nerfed out the gate.. so I want a decent set of strings.. and these Chromes seem to be some iof the gbest flats around based on feedback from a lot of TBers ... Holler back and let me know about the winding.

Thanks in advance!
 
#3
Hmmmm that's interesting ... blue like this?

IMG_0802_zpsdde4b4bd.gif


I don't think these are Chromes though.. according to the site I got the bass from the string gauges are 030, .045, .080, .100, .125 and the Chromes don't seem to come in that gauge. Maybe I will go on and give them a shot.. if I had not been in a rush I would have asked about their return policy on strings.. I guess I can always call and ask tomorrow.
 
#6
Consider this: tried Chromes on my fretless Gibson Ripper and found them way too dull and thumpy, even EQing in more hi-mid/mid and using a brighter tone setting. Was really having to pull to get any clarity. Slowed things down a little having to work so hard.
Settled on some GHS Brite-Flats which are a halfie ground wound. Very satisfied! D'addario also makes a good Half-Round.
Do have Chromes on my Fender fretted P. They work very well on that bass!
 
#7
... not sure of the terminology here .. 'windings' would be the actual metallic 'wrap' around the core the entire length of the string ... silk would be the term for colored 'fabric' that would be used at ball and/or machine end ...

.. Chromes use the color blue as mentioned and pictured above, with silk at both ends ... should be no problem just trimming silk slightly if needed pre-saddle and post-nut ... also, if STB, some guys will use strings from a slightly longer scale ... I top load all flats, and have never had an issue, so never had to deal with it ...

... if in doubt, you can contact TB member SLaPiNFuNK (Jason) who owns BassStringsOnline and tell him the model you are putting anything on, he knows the measurements of his strings .. some guys that have the issue at the saddle, will use washers/spacers to move the ball end back farther when top loading, but that idea wouldn't really thrill me ... ;)
 
#8
Thanks guys..

tjh said:
... not sure of the terminology here .. 'windings' would be the actual metallic 'wrap' around the core the entire length of the string ... silk would be the term for colored 'fabric' that would be used at ball and/or machine end ...
Click to expand...

Yes the silk is what I am talking about which I believe I said...
if I went through the body the silk winding went over the nut.... if I went through the bridge the windings went over the saddles...
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
#9
Sav'nBass said:
if I went through the body the silk winding went over the nut....
Click to expand...

because you bought the JF344, and they suit 34" basses. the through-body adds a couple inches, so you needed to buy the JF364.

for the saddle problem, actually there will be none, because with the TIs usually you have to unscrew the saddles and get them nearer to the neck, to set the intonation at the 12th fret.

https://plus.google.com/photos/1038...5770999568611562370&oid=103855957966086773281

I've experinced it on many basses and various TI's sets. with every bass I've mounted them, the saddles needed to be unscrewed.

with Chromes I experienced the exact opposite situation, with sharp notes even with saddles backened a lot (the E string on a copuple of basses couldn't intonate), and obviously silk on the saddles.

so I'd string the TIs and set the intonation.
 
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#11
Pier_ said:
because you bought the JF344, and they suit 34" basses. the through-body adds a couple inches, so you needed to buy the JF364.
for the saddle problem, actually there will be none, because with the TIs usually you have to unscrew the saddles and get them nearer to the neck, to set the intonation at the 12th fret.
https://plus.google.com/photos/1038...5770999568611562370&oid=103855957966086773281
I've experinced it on many basses and various TI's sets. with every bass I've mounted them, the saddles needed to be unscrewed.
with Chromes I experienced the exact opposite situation, with sharp notes even with saddles backened a lot (the E string on a copuple of basses couldn't intonate), and obviously silk on the saddles.
so I'd string the TIs and set the intonation.
Click to expand...

I didn't have to do any of that with the Jazz.. I just slapped them on as usual and they fit.. Thanks for the info.
 

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