I play D'Addario Chromes, 50-105, which I like in a lot of ways. But I've seen a lot of praise for GHS Brite Flats (groundrounds.) How do the Brite Flats compare to the Chromes, in terms of brightness, smoothness (fretting hand), "stickiness" (other hand), tension, stiffness, or any other factor you consider important? Thanks.
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Brite Flats vs. Chromes?
- Thread starter user2048
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No experience with Chromes, but I used Brite-Flats for a long time in the '80s. They are NOT a flatwound string in any sense, more like a muted round. They were Abe Laboriel's string of choice- that's what he used in the CHiPs soundtracks and his work with Larry Carlton.
I eventually decided that for me modified rounds like Brite-Flats and D'Addario Half-Rounds combined the less appealing aspects of flats and rounds, and decided to use rounds or flats and not try for a compromise.
John
I eventually decided that for me modified rounds like Brite-Flats and D'Addario Half-Rounds combined the less appealing aspects of flats and rounds, and decided to use rounds or flats and not try for a compromise.
John
I have Brite Flats on my fretless Bongo 6HS and Chromes on my SX P right now. Apples and oranges, really. Brite Flats are pretty sticky out of the package, but break in quite nicely. Chromes are smooth as glass. About the time Brite Flats are broken in, they've mellowed nicely. Chromes, on the other hand, have a glassy sort of high frequency content. Tension feels fairly similar between the two. So, a very different feel and a very different tone. However, I highly recommend trying them for a time.
I used Brite flats for a good three months and absolutely loved the tone (great depth and grind when diggin in) and tension (moderate). Since they are "ground" wounds you will never get a broken-in feeling like true flats or rounds. The space between the windings would create a drag effect on my fretting hand when I would slide up to notes (something very much a part of my style). I just couldn't deal with it and changed them out for some rounds that the bass originally came :/
My suggestion is, if you tend to stay put in positions that are only a few frets away from each other, then you should be good to go...otherwise, stay away (which is unfortunate).
My suggestion is, if you tend to stay put in positions that are only a few frets away from each other, then you should be good to go...otherwise, stay away (which is unfortunate).
Brite Flats: good tone, very stick feel to me. I switch positions a lot, and it makes changes lag. They sound like dead rounds to me (not necessarily bad).
Chromes: My flat of choice. Have them on my fretless and my P. Great tension (med-light). Smooth as glass, mellow out nicely. It has the mids you would want on a Rock sounding P. A quick twist of the tone knob and they are grat thumpers. They can take th place of rounds if you like a smoother attack and more warmth, and are not good for slapping.
Chromes: My flat of choice. Have them on my fretless and my P. Great tension (med-light). Smooth as glass, mellow out nicely. It has the mids you would want on a Rock sounding P. A quick twist of the tone knob and they are grat thumpers. They can take th place of rounds if you like a smoother attack and more warmth, and are not good for slapping.
Wanted to bump this thread for some more opinions. I thought GHS Brite Flats would be a nice transition from rounds to flats for me, but they sound a little bit dead when trying to capture a more lively rock tone on my P-Bass (I do like them with the tone rolled back some). Now considering getting the Chromes, whereas I originally thought they'd be more "flat" than the Brites. This video makes me think the Chromes might have a little more shine in their tone than the Brites. Agree or disagree?
I can't seem to get a tone like this with the Brites…
I can't seem to get a tone like this with the Brites…
^^^^^ If you are looking for a "lively rock tone," maybe you should stick with NPS or SS roundwounds.
To me, Half Rounds and Brite Flats are a category of string geared towards people who predominately want a warmer tone but can call on some roundwound-like grit when required. They cover a broad spectrum of tones well.
I have tried Brite Flats on a friend's instrument and liked them very much. They're versatile and felt good.
To me, Half Rounds and Brite Flats are a category of string geared towards people who predominately want a warmer tone but can call on some roundwound-like grit when required. They cover a broad spectrum of tones well.
I have tried Brite Flats on a friend's instrument and liked them very much. They're versatile and felt good.
Most NPS strings will lose some zing after the first gig or so, usually last awhile with a good mid rangy thump.
Not a fan of high tension strings here, i like light gauge chromes or even fender flats. Might be your deal if you dont like rounds
Not a fan of high tension strings here, i like light gauge chromes or even fender flats. Might be your deal if you dont like rounds
I have tried Brite Flats and really wanted to like them but they were not for me. They have a very nice sound out of the package but were sticky. At about the time they smoothed out, the E string died, and I mean totally dead. Just a thump. I replaced them with rounds and then sprung for a set of light gauge Chromes. The Chromes are different than the flats I used back in the seventies, much brighter and take a long time to mellow. Really, I like the Chromes better than Brite Flats but I'm still glad I have another bass set up with rounds. In my opinion, half rounds are a compromise that don't really work for me. If you have more than one bass, string one with your choice of flats and you'll see what I'm talking about.
It's not for my primary tone, but something I'd like to get when I need it. I like the feel and reduced noise of the flats, but want to keep a little bit of the zing that the rounds have (like in the video). The E/A strings I have now (GHS Brite Flats) sound pretty dead to me, even with the tone knob cranked up on my P-bass.
Went with the Chromes (reg light) and like them a lot already over the Brite flats. Of course, I'll have to reevaluate after a few months when they're not still sparkling, but quite pleased initially.
I might have suggested TI Jazz Flats in your shoes. They sound a lot like new Chromes to me but take forever to go dead, which is the reason I ended up getting rid of them after a few months 
I might have suggested TI Jazz Flats in your shoes. They sound a lot like new Chromes to me but take forever to go dead, which is the reason I ended up getting rid of them after a few months
Thanks, Jimmy. Putting them next on the list.
Edit: DAMN $70. Crossing fingers that these Chromes do the trick!
Recently tried chromes, brite flats and precision flats. Chromes are like Goldilocks, not to thumpy like precision, not as bright as brites, but fit right in between. I love how slick the precisions are and didn't like the stickiness of brites, chromes are almost as slick as precisions. Love the precisions for P bass, sticking with chromes for my jazz bass.
In the Youtube comments section he says there's a Lollar pickup in it. Also, he has a Tonestyler pot in there too. Those 2 details make ALOT of difference. All his YT vids that he uses it in and goes to the true bypassed off position on the Tonestyler I always think his PBass sounds like that late 60's John Entwistle tone, and I like it, alot -the Ox is one of my heroes!
(sadly the Tonestyler's are pretty expensive, maybe worth it, but expensive).Thanks, Kolad. Also a Who fan here. Never got to see the Ox, but did see the band in Bristol in June 2006In the Youtube comments section he says there's a Lollar pickup in it. Also, he has a Tonestyler pot in there too. Those 2 details make ALOT of difference. All his YT vids that he uses it in and goes to the true bypassed off position on the Tonestyler I always think his PBass sounds like that late 60's John Entwistle tone, and I like it, alot -the Ox is one of my heroes!
