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About those Chromes Flats gauges...

N

NoBlackTShirts

Feb 23, 2010
387
221
#1
Hello there.

I observe that D-Addario Chromes come in .040-.100 sets and .045-.100 sets.

Probably a few of you have been confronted with a decision between the two, or have a preference between the two. Would you like to give me a little insight on your experience?

Thank you kindly

N
 
#2
They also come in a .050-.105 set.

I installed the .050-.105, and the D and G string tensions were too much for me. I felt that I was fighting the strings. They lasted all of 2 days before I went back to the .045-.100 set. Happy now.

I have not tried the .040-.100, so no comment there. I do like the sound I get from the .045-.100, and the tension works well for me.
 
#3
I'm interested in this too.
I play Cromes and currently have a 5-string Medium Long set on.
But I'm hearing a lot about matching tensions as much as possible so I was considering getting a Soft Superlong (40-95) 4-string set and a separate 132 B. This would give me ~40 tension in all strings.
I've also read in other String threads that the tone of Cromes is very guage specific and most prefer the lighter guage tone.
I don't want to hijack the thread, but I'm sure NoBlack and I are basically looking for the same info.
 
#4
NoBlackTShirts said:
Hello there.

I observe that D-Addario Chromes come in .040-.100 sets and .045-.100 sets.

Probably a few of you have been confronted with a decision between the two, or have a preference between the two. Would you like to give me a little insight on your experience?

Thank you kindly

N
Click to expand...


I bought the lowest gauge first and the next highest afterwards. Love both sets but I feel I get a "twangy/treble-like guitar sound" from the lower gauge set's G string, not a fat bass sound. Nevertheless, DA chromes are amazing, smooth and low tension. I love 'em!!!!
 
#5
I've had the experience that some new string sets have a G that is too stiff, and I've always thought that low E's are too floppy on pretty much every set I've had. If I could get the .040 to .100 set and trade the .100 for a .105 I'd probably be happy. D'Addario won't play, though, which they should in these electronic customer-service-oriented days, but they won't.

N
 
#9
Yeah, it seems trivial but they wouldn't have done it if there hadn't been a market for it....I'd love to hear the story about why they made the two versions. The difference in tension on the two different G's is pretty wide: 37.6 pounds versus 45.7 pounds.
 
#10
When I first started out on bass (only last year), I naturally had nickel rounds to start out with. The first set I had on my P bass were D'A nickel rounds 45-65-80-100, but I found the E and A too floppy compared to D and G, so I eventually switched to 45-65-85-105 and found them a little more balanced from string to string in terms of tension.

Then I switched to D'A Chromes when I discovered the joy of flats. Due to the slightly stiffer nature of flats compared to the rounds of similar gauges, I settled for 40-60-80-100 for that same balanced feel without being too overly stiff for my fingers or too hard on the neck (of my bass). In fact, I liked them so much, when I acquired my Jazz, I had it set up specifically for these strings right from the beginning.

I've been very happy with the 40-100 and I don't think I will be changing them any time soon.
 
#16
incident said:
They also come in a .050-.105 set.

I installed the .050-.105, and the D and G string tensions were too much for me. I felt that I was fighting the strings. They lasted all of 2 days before I went back to the .045-.100 set. Happy now.

I have not tried the .040-.100, so no comment there. I do like the sound I get from the .045-.100, and the tension works well for me.
Click to expand...

If you went to a lighter ga. ONLY because of having to fight the strings, click my user name & see my "..followup" post on D'Addario 105-50's (3-18-2010). I think you'll find that'll do the trick.
 

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