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Chromes - Why choose over LaBella?
- Thread starter Mike Vee
- Start date
Because.
Why not?
Personal preference.
They're (subjectively) better.
I like 'em. You should too.
They're more readily available.
Blue silks are cool.
They're brighter.
Why wouldn't anyone choose Chromes over LaBella flats?
Which is better P, P/J, J, MM, Ric, Tbird?
deepestend
Commercial User
- Feb 21, 2003
- 6,249
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I would think (not sure here) that light gauge flats by LaBella and Chromes are probably more similar in feel than the heavier gauge ones.
I am no expert but the first time I bought flats I walked into the store looks at the strings and picked up Chromes. I think it was mostly product placement and marketing. I don’t really have any loyalty. No one’s paying me. So recently when I wanted to try tapes, I ended up with LaBellas. You all that can split hairs and hear a significant difference in brands and such I am not sure if it is a blessing or a curse.
Feels like a flat sounds 80% like a round. Slaps and pops. Deep Talkin Flats don't slap or pop well.
i keep reading that yet i don't hear it. they sound like flats to me, through and through.
I'm not a LaBella fan, but used to have them on a Mustang bass and they were ok, nice tone and feel. I use Chromes 45-100 on my Fender Jazz and they sound great, but you have to give them time to settle. That said, my favorite flats are TI flats that are on my main P, and I also have EB Cobalt Flats on my MIJ PJ, but I do prefer Chromes on my Jazz.
I like Chromes because they don't sound all that terribly different from a mellow set of rounds, which is what I prefer. (I haven't used super bright rounds since my shameful days of non-stop slapping back in the early 90s. 
). However, I prefer the feel of flats, probably from my background on upright. So Chromes are a good intersection of sound and feel for me.
). However, I prefer the feel of flats, probably from my background on upright. So Chromes are a good intersection of sound and feel for me.
Well, speaking of billions on the internet, I told you my opinion. I don't like floppy low-tension strings. And the reason I questioned why you were asking is because you didn't just say "let's talk about these strings," you expressed a STRONG distaste for the Chromes. I don't think it's my job or anyone else's to talk you out of that hole. If you don't like them, don't use them. It's a little different than when someone asks about string differences before they buy them. You HAVE them.
Cause that's what they had when I bought flats for my P 8 years ago and I haven't found the need to change them yet.
Personally, TIs are my favorite flats, but I put the Chromes on cause that's what I could get, and well, they're still there. Definitely not gonna spend money on new flats just cause the internet thinks they're "better".
Personally, TIs are my favorite flats, but I put the Chromes on cause that's what I could get, and well, they're still there. Definitely not gonna spend money on new flats just cause the internet thinks they're "better".
I always used LaBellas until I bought a Jazz that came with a really old set of Chromes. They are the medium-ish set, 45-105 I believe. Those old ones are pretty magical. Worn in, great tension, and perfect tone. I like them so much that I put a set on a P. I've had them for 3-4 months and played them a lot. they aren't as good as the really old ones yet but I can tell they are moving in the right direction. I think about six more months and they will be perfect.
That said I've never liked the light gauge Chromes. Something about the tone was just never right for me. And I like my strings fairly stiff.
That said I've never liked the light gauge Chromes. Something about the tone was just never right for me. And I like my strings fairly stiff.
I use both Chromes and LaBella flats, both are great string choices. Some basses seem to like different strings too, so maybe experiment a bit. For me, what I like about Chromes is their clarity in the mix both live and recording. They work really well on Fender basses too, which is perhaps why they are so popular.
I've got D'Addario chromes on my bass and like the relative brightness of the strings. I tried Labella low tensions and didn't dig the texture of the strings, and while they definitely presented less resistance to playing, they were the deadest strings I've ever messed with. Totally didn't work for me.
String choice is personal. I used Chromes for a while because LaBellas were a little too delicate for my tastes.
BTW, good call with the Eucerin!!!
BTW, good call with the Eucerin!!!
