D’addario Chromes question

[Geepers]

I’m thinking of stepping up from my ECB81’s (45-100) to the heavier ECB82’s (50-105). Obviously the feel will be different but can I expect a significant change in tone?

 

[onda'bass]

No

 

[michael_t]

Feel, yes. Tone, no.

 

[Geepers]

I play fretless with a flat board, low action and light touch. I’m thinking the higher tension will let me get even flatter and lower without buzz (I go for “upright” thump more than fretless mwah). Does my logic stack up?

 

[michael_t]

I play fretless with a flat board, low action and light touch. I’m thinking the higher tension will let me get even flatter, lower and lighter without buzz (I go for “upright” thump more than fretless mwah). Does my logic stack up?

Yes... Bigger gauges = stiffer feel = lower action without buzz.

If you're looking for "upright thump", you may not want the action too low, though. Before upping the gauges, you might want to experiment with a higher action. By the way, D'Addario Chromes may not be the best choice for what you're looking for.

 

[Bevan777]

Agree with above, i find the upright thump sound is easier achieved with a higher action. You need to be able to pluck quite hard.

 

[gormsby]

I play fretless with a flat board, low action and light touch. I’m thinking the higher tension will let me get even flatter and lower without buzz (I go for “upright” thump more than fretless mwah). Does my logic stack up?

I guess the one flaw in the your logic is that flat is flat. If you play with a flat board now, you won't be able to get it any flatter. If you can get it flatter, it wasn't flat before. String height, though, should still be able to go lower (presuming they are not already sitting on the board).

 

[commonplayer]

Maybe not tone, but I've found that heavier gauge strings let me dig in a little more which can definitely add some beef to the sound.

 

[Five or Six]

Tone is playing style, equipment and how it's all blended together.

 

[MynameisMe]

From my experience Labella DTF would provide more THUMP than Chromes. Chromes are much brighter.

 

[dannylectro]

All I use now are the .50’s. Much better roundness on the upper strings. No difference in the lows. But the warmer tone on the uppers changes the way I fret mid range notes, sometimes a lot easier than going up the neck on the A & E strings.

 

[Geepers]

All I use now are the .50’s. Much better roundness on the upper strings. No difference in the lows.

Ah, this is what I was hoping for… to get a bit fuller-sounding G string. I was a bit disappointed when others said there would be no tone change going from the 40-100’s to the 50-105’s so your experience gives me renewed hope!

 

[Chrisk-K]

Only you would hear a tonal change if you wanted to believe thicker strings = better tone.

 

[Geepers]

OK, I watched the Beato/Shull vids. It convinced me that for electric instruments (different for acoustic instruments?) any perceived tone change is likely more about the fact that you play the heavier strings differently than the string gauge itself. The benefit of being able to achieve lower action without buzz is obviously going to be the main advantage of going heavier (for me). Just gotta weigh that up now against fingers having to work harder! Thanks for the contributions folks

 

[andare]

Not sure heavy gauge strings allow for a lower action. Theoretically they do, practically it depends on the player. I don't play softer on bigger flats. I am more dainty with lighter gauge strings because I don't want to choke them.
I'm heavy handed and I dislike low action. There's more tone with higher action, so to speak. I can feel the strings vibrating more.
It doesn't mean I play too hard. And obviously I don't play Richard Bona lines.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

Divide the smaller gauge by the bigger gauge if using the same or similar string construction type at the same scale length and pitch to obtain the ratio. Multiply the action of the current smaller gauge by that ratio. Theoretically you will get how much you can lower the action due to the decreased amplitude e.g say i had a .100 chrome and went up to a .105
The ratio is .952 . If my action was 2.4mm for the 100 then I could then go .952x2.4 = 2.28mm for the 105. Not sure .16mm lower is something one would bother with. But it does demonstrate that all things being equal, larger gauge decreases amplitude and hence lower action can be an option. The reverse is of course true. Decreasing the gauge at same scale length and pitch and the same or similar string construction type increases amplitude and action may need a raise. The larger the gauge differences, than the example given, the more noticeable, and probably required an action adjustment would be