Chromes - Why choose over LaBella?

[pbass2]

That seems to be somewhat true haha. However, a lot of people I like use them by choice, JMJ, Laura Lee, Cam Avery, etc. A lot of people love Chromes for Chromes.

JMJ has old Labellas on his 60's P that he apparently never changes - he talks about it having "that" sound.

 

[lomo]

It's all a matter of preference, and mine his 100% in favour of The LTFs. Chromes feel like piano cables to me....too high tension for my taste.

 

[Mike Vee]

JMJ has old Labellas on his 60's P that he apparently never changes - he talks about it having "that" sound.

 

[FunkHead]

just get out of my thread if you don't like it, simple as that.

I said almost the exact same thing once. Thanks for reminding me of what a jerk I can be sometimes.

 

[pbass2]

IK, but I recall he talks about also using Labellas in his forum here on TB, can't find it now. I would expect with the number of basses he has, he uses a variety of different strings.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

right! I actually put chromes on my strat because their guitar player uses them. Sounds phenomenal! Spring reverb all day.

Love Speer's playing. He does something with the Chromes. Uses a 42 XL Chrome for his low E. Don't know if he does this from a set or makes up his own custom thing from XL singles.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

I love Labellas, the older the better, and that's my #1 flat for a P for sure--it's "the" sound, classic. But Chromes have their place--they're brighter, and more clanky if you want to go that way. I have them on one bass--it's cool, good for rock. That said, unlike Labellas, IMO Chromes do not age well. They just kinda get dead and lifeless. They also don't feel that nice under the fingers at any point in their lifespan.

I think Chromes feel pretty good. Can argue bout the sound of em, but I find the 050 on my Mikro tuned to F has a nice feel. Better than I found the Labella 049 DTF flat I had on

 

[Mike Vee]

I said almost the exact same thing once. Thanks for reminding me of what a jerk I can be sometimes.

My pleasure…. and he wasn’t being one?

 

[Whale guy]

I recently put D'addario chrome ground rounds on my P bass. It's been a pretty lousy experience. They were coated with a film that was so sticky that it made it unplayable. I used my backup bass that night on a gig and had to rub the strings for a long time and rather aggressively with alcohol until they felt clean.
They sound ok, but not wonderful. I won't be using them again.

 

[Dave Leighton]

Strings choices are a matter of personal taste based on one's perspective on what sounds good and feels good. If you prefer La Bella over the Chromes, so be it. Nobody needs to convince you otherwise.
I do like vanilla ice cream, provided it has Hershey's caramel syrup on it.

I am so embarrassed for you. It's Vanilla Bean and Hersheys Chocolate Syrup...

 

[Rayjay]

I HATE Chromes. They sound fine but they make me feel like my hands have severe arthritis after one song. And I can't swing with them at all - they are extremely uninspiring to play. I can't get in the "zone." Playing feels like WORK. I just do not get those strings at all.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

So I ask you, the experts, why would anyone choose Chromes over LaBella flats?

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The primary reason is because they have an opinion of Chromes different from yours. Your experience with Chromes is not universal and possibly not in the majority.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

I HATE Chromes. They sound fine but they make me feel like my hands have severe arthritis after one song. And I can't swing with them at all - they are extremely uninspiring to play. I can't get in the "zone." Playing feels like WORK. I just do not get those strings at all.

What strings get you in 'the zone'?

 

[Mike Vee]

I HATE Chromes. They sound fine but they make me feel like my hands have severe arthritis after one song. And I can't swing with them at all - they are extremely uninspiring to play. I can't get in the "zone." Playing feels like WORK. I just do not get those strings at all.

The super lights are not that stiff. Still, they don’t really feel “good” like labellas. Just kinda neutral feeling.

 

[commonplayer]

I actually love the feel of chromes. I can't speak to Labellas because I'm not as familiar, but there's something about the tension and feel of the chromes that I really dig on all my basses. They feel like home.

 

[Just Wrong]

only for a little while, and less on certain packs.

I’ve tried the LTFs a few times and they always had that awkward G. It never died. It’s too bad because I loved the EAD.

 

[bassrique]

Feels like a flat sounds 80% like a round. Slaps and pops. Deep Talkin Flats don't slap or pop well.

Do Chromes slap as well as Cobalt lights?

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.

Please compare Chromes vs Cobalts on a Jazz .

 

[Yahboy]

You should asking yourself, which flatwound make your Pbass sound best ?

 

[Yahboy]

I’ve tried the LTFs a few times and they always had that awkward G. It never died. It’s too bad because I loved the EAD.

LTF4A on used CV50P ...

 

[mcrawfordmusic]

Tension, price and availability would be my main reasons for me to choose the chromes over LaBellas. I have used most brands of flats (inc. Chromes) but have settled on LaBella LS-S for my two short scales and LaBella LTF for my P bass.