Chrome-like with less tension

[Bodeeni]

I mostly use the Chromes 40-100 along with many other strings. I find a noticeable difference in the D and G strings from the 65 45, which is why I like them.
To me, the set has a more balanced feel. But the E and A are the same.
The TI flats are great and will be less tension still. I have run them on all kinds of basses. They wont be quite as old school flats as the chromes but close enough and maybe more versatile. Hey, Pino likes them. I never have found them 'too floppy' and feel the tension is similar to regular rounds.

 

[leonard]

Chromes are great but still nothing special compared to many other flats. Lots of great recommendations on this thread.

Another idea is to persist with the ones you have for a while. Your hands might just adjust eventually.

 

[michael_t]

I mostly use the Chromes 40-100 along with many other strings. I find a noticeable difference in the D and G strings from the 65 45, which is why I like them...

The first set of flats I ever tried was the Chromes 45-65-80-100 (ECB81), and I found the G/D noticeably stiffer in feel than the A/E. So I switched to the ECB84 (40-60-80-100) and found the G/D more manageable. The only problem was the 40G sounded rather thin and "twangy". Then I discovered the Fender 9050L (45-60-80-100). Problem solved. Manageable stiffness without a twangy G.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Or Ernie Ball Cobalt.

In my experience, they are their own whole thing and just happen to be flats.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

While they're not flats per se, the La Bella White Tapes feel even nicer than Chromes and they're incredibly light gauge.

750T White Nylon Tape, Light 50-105

750T White Nylon Tape Wound…

www.labella.com

They are lighter than the diameter would suggest, which caught me out. It's not often I manage to buy strings that are too floppy.

 

[Antreoo]

Fender 9050I flats maybe? Still 45-100 gauge.
I have a pack of fender 9050M (55/105) as a backup in case my chromes 50/105 give up on me after 6 years of service.
I used those heavier gauges for D standard / CFCF tunings, but I prefer 45-100 for Eb or standard E.
Still divided on drop C#, both gauges work in the end.

While I like the high tension for the plucking hand it gets harder to bend with stiff strings, took me a few band practices with a bass strung with rounds to realize that.

 

[NocoLaw]

I’m a big fan of Sadowsky blue label flats and La Bella LTFs. They are both brighter than a lot of flats, low tension, and have a much richer and fuller
tone (to my ears) than chromes.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

Chromes still sound like themselves when downtuned. Do you fancy playing DGCF?

 

[Prodigus Filius]

Oops! In my suggestion of GHS PF’s I missed the OP’s desire for a bright flat. PF’s are definetly not bright

 

[PBassAcidJazz]

You’re probably having to go to a lighter gauge to get the lower tension without totally changing the tone. I like those light gauge Chromes you already have on your bass. And I also don’t like too much tension.

 

[michael_t]

I now prefer a lighter tension (not lower gage) string...

Just curious... What is your reason for not wanting lighter gauges of the Chromes for a lighter tension/stiffness?

 

[MrAB4003]

Chromes still sound like themselves when downtuned. Do you fancy playing DGCF?

This is exactly what I did!

 

[-Asdfgh-]

They are lighter than the diameter would suggest, which caught me out. It's not often I manage to buy strings that are too floppy.

P.S. great strings and found a home on a fretless where they do very well.

 

[Hamrlik]

I appreciate the useful feedback. I'm going to try a lighter gauge Chrome and go from there. I may also just concede the brighter sound and try a few other different sets as well. Playability is most important.

The Colbalts still intrigue me as do the LTF LaBella's. For the price I'm going to give the Fender 9050s a go too.

Thanks again for the input.

 

[Antreoo]

I appreciate the useful feedback. I'm going to try a lighter gauge Chrome and go from there. I may also just concede the brighter sound and try a few other different sets as well. Playability is most important.

The Colbalts still intrigue me as do the LTF LaBella's. For the price I'm going to give the Fender 9050s a go too.

Thanks again for the input.

Let us know how it goes! Good luck

 

[iiipopes]

I was going to say Chromes in 40's instead of 45's, but the OP doesn't want to go lighter gauges. Because of the ribbon wrap is more dense and has more mass, with less space internally between winds, all flats of a similar gauge have similar tension.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

all flats of a similar gauge have similar tension.

Huh! At one end of the spectrum a TI jazz flat 100 or a La Bella LTF 100 have 34lbf. At the other end a Rotosound Jazz flat 100 has 41lbf. You don’t see that increase as a significant difference?

 

[iiipopes]

Huh! At one end of the spectrum a TI jazz flat 100 or a La Bella LTF 100 have 34lbf. At the other end a Rotosound Jazz flat 100 has 41lbf. You don’t see that increase as a significant difference?

I'm talking about most main-stream flats. I discount TI's as sloppy rubber bands. LTF have lighter gauge, which the OP doesn't want to do. And Roto monel are a danger to truss rods. That's why I don't include them.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

I'm talking about most main-stream flats. I discount TI's as sloppy rubber bands. LTF have lighter gauge, which the OP doesn't want to do. And Roto monel are a danger to truss rods. That's why I don't include them.

Ah ok.