BT Chromes + B string advice

[AppalachianBen]

Hey everyone, hope you are doing well.

I'm looking to restring my bass with flats, and came across the balanced tension set of Chromes on fretnation and am thinking of combining it with a single B string. If I remember correctly, the balanced tension set is ~42-45 lbs. When I look at the .132 B string on the packaged 5 string set, it's tension is ~43 lbs.

My question is whether or not this would actually be a balanced 5 string set (in tension and tone), or if the B string would be a mismatch. Not like D'addario gives an option for another B, but if I needed I can get the normal pack of 5 string chromes.

Thanks!

 

[michael_t]

My question is whether or not this would actually be a balanced 5 string set (in tension and tone), or if the B string would be a mismatch.

When it comes to flatwound 5-string sets, "balanced tension" does not guarantee "balance tone"; it all depends on the string as well as the bass itself. The only way to find out is to try the set you're talking about, 45-60-80-105-132, on your bass and see how they are. (This coming from me as a former "balanced tension enthusiast". )

 

[AppalachianBen]

When it comes to flatwound 5-string sets, "balanced tension" does not guarantee "balance tone"; it all depends on the string as well as the bass itself. The only way to find out is to try the set you're talking about, 45-60-80-105-132, on your bass and see how they are. (This coming from me as a former "balanced tension enthusiast". )

That's what I figured haha. I kinda doubted that someone would have tried this yet. My only hangup is that buying the BT Chromes + B string is more expensive than just getting the premade pack. I'll wait a little longer before I pull the trigger.

 

[michael_t]

That's what I figured haha. I kinda doubted that someone would have tried this yet. My only hangup is that buying the BT Chromes + B string is more expensive than just getting the premade pack. I'll wait a little longer before I pull the trigger.

One thing for sure... I would take 45-60-80-105 over 45-65-80-100 any day, and it's great Jason at Fret Nation has the custom balanced-tension set already put together. I used to swear by the Fender 9050CL (45-60-80-105) when that set was still available.

It's the 132B I'm not sure about as I have no experience with any flatwound B's.

 

[Aidil]

Custom balanced tension set of Chromes I've been using in the last 4 years or so is 40-55-75-95-132.

 

[Aidil]

These are usually michael_t's specialties:

according to D'Addario tension chart pdf file (which are slightly different from the posted figures on D'Addario website, but has more data), they are:
40=37.6
55=36.6
75=36.4
95=35.2
132=35.9 lbs.

These are basically a Chromes 4 string set ECB80, of which the 60 D is swapped with a 55 single I got from Jason @ FretNation, and a 132 low-B which is stock (the bass came with an ECB81-5 set from the factory).

Good thing is, I didn't throw away the 60 D. It is being used on another bass which came with 45-65-80 Chromes (yes, only 3 strings. The bass is the Ibanez Ashula SRAS7, an hybrid 7 string of 3 string fretless and 4 string fretted bass). So, now it also has a balanced tension set of Chromes, though 45-60-80 means higher tensions of 45.7, 45.2, 43.7 lbs.

 

[AppalachianBen]

I went and bought the custom set I outlined in the OP, so whenever they arrive I'll give my thoughts for whoever is curious.