$37 for fender strings? I used to pay 15 bucks for 7250/8250 at the local shop. I remember nobody liked fender strings, so they were even cheaper on ebay. Ah, I miss the black silk on 7250s. But I think it's no surprise Daddario manufactures fender strings now.
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Chromes vs. fender flats
- Thread starter 4bassjohn
- Start date
I've tried GHS, Fender and I'm back to Chromes. I use the 45-95 on my jazz and 40-100 on my pbass. The GHS and Fender are great strings, just not the sound I want. I am interested in the new Labella Low Tension flats that BSOL is advertising.
I tried both Fenders and Chromes. I stick with the Chromes.
They have a somewhat lower string tension, but most important: they are much smoother on your fingers, they slide like wax. Easy does it.
I recorded in the studio with my P-bass with chromes, and they are outstanding in the mix. My bass was the easiest instrument to EQ.
They have a somewhat lower string tension, but most important: they are much smoother on your fingers, they slide like wax. Easy does it.
I recorded in the studio with my P-bass with chromes, and they are outstanding in the mix. My bass was the easiest instrument to EQ.
It looks like Fender discontinued their five string flats, so Chromes are much better if you want a B string. 
Thanks for this assessment. How a particular set of strings perform in the mix is an important consideration.
I love my Guild Flatbass strings.
$15!
Seriously, I should buy the last two packs left at the store that actually has them in their "stuff we found in a dust-covered box in the attic" bin.
$15!
Seriously, I should buy the last two packs left at the store that actually has them in their "stuff we found in a dust-covered box in the attic" bin.
People often say they are the same strings and they are not even close, just ask iiipopes.
Fenders are bright and growly and a little nasty at first.
After about a month of solid use they change into punchy in your face with a little growl with a solid even tone. Think low mids with a little high end.
Chromes are bright and tingy with a very pronounced hi mid thats almost rounds like and stay that way for a long time.
But when chromes do break in after in my opinion a year or so they get very warm and creamy.
Had a set from a tber that were 5yrs old and they were beautiful.
I just never could stand them long enough to wait.
Fenders are bright and growly and a little nasty at first.
After about a month of solid use they change into punchy in your face with a little growl with a solid even tone. Think low mids with a little high end.
Chromes are bright and tingy with a very pronounced hi mid thats almost rounds like and stay that way for a long time.
But when chromes do break in after in my opinion a year or so they get very warm and creamy.
Had a set from a tber that were 5yrs old and they were beautiful.
I just never could stand them long enough to wait.
As someone who has been back playing for a couple of years now... I had chromes on a couple of basses...then picked up a set of the Fenders on a recommendation from another TB'er (I have no idea who, but I should've thanked him) - I much prefer the sound of the Fenders (and the only bass I have them on is a RoadWorn J - for the project I use that bass in, they're perfect). Love the feel of them, too.
Went to BSO and see that they're priced at $24 and change, even with my discount. Whoever found them for $18, post where you found them.
Oh, and the poster who says "they're D'Addario's"... agreed. But I still like them better than Chromes.
Went to BSO and see that they're priced at $24 and change, even with my discount. Whoever found them for $18, post where you found them.
Oh, and the poster who says "they're D'Addario's"... agreed. But I still like them better than Chromes.
I bought them the other day because the music store I was at didn't have Chromes.
I figured since I read on this forum that the Fenders sounded similar, it wouldn't be a problem. I was right. I felt right at home the minute I put them on.
I currently have the light gauge Fenders on my Sterling SUB Ray4 and SX 32" Jazz Bass, while my Ibanez AEB5E ABG and Telecaster (guitar) have super light gauge Chromes. I've never been happier in all my bass-playing days.
It´s true. I tried both brands in my jazz bass fretless and I realized that the Chromes it seemed to me with a best sense of touch, instead Fenders that was like a little bit "abrassive" for my surprise. But it dissaperared in two or three weeks. (I know that someone can think that flatwounds it can´t be "abrassive", but the sense of touch don´t lies.)
I heared the Fenders brigthers and stiffers than Chromes. And Chromes seemed to me with better low mid.
I have been using the same Fender flatwounds strings about five months ago. So actually they loosen her "abrassive" touch of feel and her brightness. But doesn´t have this punchier and warmer tone of Chromes does.
My though: Chromes wins!
Never tried the Chromes so I can't compare. I have the Fender 9050 CL's (.045 .065 .085 .105) on my P bass and I really like them. I've had them on for about a year. They were bright at first but not overly so as was the case with the Roto Sound Flats that I tried. They've since mellowed but not to the point of what I would call dead sounding. But it's the tension of these string that I find very favorable. It's hard to describe and what works for one player may not work for the next. They're not loose by any means but they're not overly stiff either.
I'm very happy with them.
I'm very happy with them.
9050CL is actually 45-60-80-105, which is the best-balanced set tension-wise. I was going to try a set but unfortunately, this particular set has been discontinued by Fender. Very upsetting to say the least!
I will be retiring my 5-yr-old set of Chromes (ECB84, 40-60-80-100) next week as I will be switching back to nickel rounds for now. The Chromes have served me quite well, except one annoying thing, the G string is noticeably "pingy" (ie brighter) compared to the rest even after five years. Maybe the Fender 9050L (45-60-80-100) will solve this issue.
I just looked at the package and you are correct about the string sizes. My mistake! Thanks for correcting me.
I like both strings but I think I prefer the Fenders...to my ears they sound very similar. The Fenders might have a little more thump.
Flatwound String Reviews
Flatwound String Reviews
While some may feel differently, I firmly believe that they are the same string, with the Fenders having a smoother, almost polished outer wrap. The Chromes are more grabby and can leave a residue on the fingers when new (a result of the machining). The tension and tightness are identical, IME. I went so far as to take both apart to examine the core wire, and it appeared they were also identical in size on the 45-100 sets. The lighter gauge Fender sets appeared to use smaller cores than the Chromes on their lighter sets. I believe the "finish" of the Fenders is what lends them to be initially brighter right out of the pack, IMO, IME, YMMV, etc...
Either way, they are more similar than they are different, whereas the differences when comparing LaBella, GHS and Rotosound are immediately apparent. Just my humble 2 cents.
Either way, they are more similar than they are different, whereas the differences when comparing LaBella, GHS and Rotosound are immediately apparent. Just my humble 2 cents.
This extra 0.05 in G string it does that isn´t so pingy. I strung with Fender 9050SL (40-60-80-100) and for me this G string was noticeably brighter that with Chromes for the same gauge (0.40). But with a 0.45 sure that you´d have a fatter tone for G string.
I tried Fender flats a few years ago. After a few months they felt like fence wire, especially D and G.
