D'addario Chromes -> La Bella 760FM

[Yahboy]

My current 4 bass using flatwound bass string. honestly, i don't like play different stiffness flatwound on my 4 bass guitar. So, CV50P/LTF4A, Vintera 50sP/Ti flat and both PJ/Jazz bass withEB 2814 which has pretty close stiffness on my hand.

I have a PJ bass in B std tune. Since i want a tapered B string, i go with Sadowsky blck label nicker 40-125T set. Hopefully Sadowsky reborn the Black label flat with tapered B again. I skip the blue label flat just because she not the tonal i looking for.

Glad that Sadowsky blk label 60-125T has pretty close stiffness to Ti flat.

 

[Boneless]

Anyway, I wouldn't recommend Pyramid Gold flats to the OP. They are reeeeeally uneven string to string for quite a while, the E string is very thumpy, the A string is perfect, the D and G strings are very bright. They settle after quite a few months (I'm only really happy with my set on my Orange O-Bass after a whole year, and now they sound just right). Even when they settle, they sound very "old-school". Different from LaBellas (which are much more focused in the low mids, Pyramids are focused higher up) but with that kind of envelope. They also sort of resist being plucked, for lack of a better term. Playing Pyramid Golds is like pedalling into the wind. It's like they require actual force to be played. Still, they nail the "Young Folks" tone to a T and they just have lots of character, which is why I like them so much.



If he wants to change brands (even just to experiment), this is my list of recommendations:
- Fender flats: a "duller" version of Chromes, in my opinion. Very balanced string to string, one of the most balanced sets I've ever tried. They are bright but not overly bright, kind of "vanilla" to my ears. I didn't love them but I didn't hate them either, and the tonal balance is very useful.
- Thomastik Infelds: of course. Very low tension, very polished sound, very balanced too, extremely long sustain for flats. If you can get around the low tension (they kind of feel like rubber strings, compared to other flats) and you are not looking for a traditional tone they are perfect. I have them on my Hoefner Club and they suit it perfectly. (The short scale set is a bit weird because the G, D and A strings are thin and the E string is massive, it's something like .040-.055-.070-.106).
- Rotosound flats (as stated before). Bright but with lots of character. I'm not sure string to string balance is as good as the previous two, but they are the sound of British rock. Kind of stiff and coarse to the feel. These here are Rotosounds on a P-Bass:



- EB Cobalt flats: I haven't tried them myself but they are described by everyone I know as "a roundwound string cosplaying as flats".

 

[TheArchitect]

Try the Labella 760FLs... they are way better than the FMs. I went from Chromes to 760FLs and never looked back. Ok, maybe a brief fling here or there

How are they different?

 

[JenderBazzFass]

I have Chromes, GHS, LaBella and Sadowsky flats

I want them all to be a bit different from each other.

If I really like Chromes and wanted to try LaBella then I should know I’m getting a different thing

I know they are a different thing and I was expecting a different thing. I posted in the OP that the strings had differences that I didn't expect, such that the break in did not proceed as was described, the strings are even darker than anticipated, and the sustain is much less than expected/much less than I was getting with the Chromes with all other things the same.

 

[JenderBazzFass]

Thanks for all the helpful posts to those who have offered one. I have ordered a set of TI Jazz Flats based on nearly universal recommendations and comments here that they might be more like what I'm looking for. And I can always put the Chromes back on

 

[OldSchoolFlats]

Thanks for all the helpful posts to those who have offered one. I have ordered a set of TI Jazz Flats based on nearly universal recommendations and comments here that they might be more like what I'm looking for. And I can always put the Chromes back on

Some GREAT sounding and very expressive strings. Felt to me though, like I had strung my bass with rubber-bands. Very low tension/stiffness.

Hey, I grew-up with (and still favor) "bridge cables".

 

[Grinderman]

How are they different?

+

Or what's better or way better?

 

[AceOfBassFace]

I've tried TI Jazz flats, Chromes, and LaBella Deep Talkin Flats. Chromes are my favourite of the bunch. I tried each of these for around 6 months. Apparently LaBellas take a while to break in, but after 6 months of playing at least an hour a day, they only started to sound worse to my ears.

Here are my thoughts on those 3 sets:

TI Jazz flats: found them a bit too low-tension. They did have a nice even tone and a very unique character - pretty sure I can tell when a bass is strung with these just by listening. If you like low-tension they're great.

LaBella DTF: had these on my P for about 6 months. Loved the tension, but found the tone very thumpy, and not enough fundamental. The E string from frets 0-5 just sounded to me like a low end rumble, was hard to hear any fundamental.

Chromes: Very bright when brand new, took about 2 weeks to settle in and the brightness to tone down a bit. Really love these now - perfect tension for me, fat juicy tone, lots of fundamental and clarity, plenty of mids.

 

[Mastermold]

Thanks for all the helpful posts to those who have offered one. I have ordered a set of TI Jazz Flats based on nearly universal recommendations and comments here that they might be more like what I'm looking for. And I can always put the Chromes back on

Found this video of a guy demonstrating the Pino signature bass with TI flats and a foam mute at the bridge. Gives you some idea of what it can sound like:

 

[Mastermold]

I've tried TI Jazz flats, Chromes, and LaBella Deep Talkin Flats. Chromes are my favourite of the bunch. I tried each of these for around 6 months. Apparently LaBellas take a while to break in, but after 6 months of playing at least an hour a day, they only started to sound worse to my ears.

Here are my thoughts on those 3 sets:

TI Jazz flats: found them a bit too low-tension. They did have a nice even tone and a very unique character - pretty sure I can tell when a bass is strung with these just by listening. If you like low-tension they're great.

LaBella DTF: had these on my P for about 6 months. Loved the tension, but found the tone very thumpy, and not enough fundamental. The E string from frets 0-5 just sounded to me like a low end rumble, was hard to hear any fundamental.

Chromes: Very bright when brand new, took about 2 weeks to settle in and the brightness to tone down a bit. Really love these now - perfect tension for me, fat juicy tone, lots of fundamental and clarity, plenty of mids.

In my experience, Chromes seem to be good strings for recording on Fender basses. They have a long-lasting clarity on the notes that still comes through after many years of being on the bass.

 

[TheArchitect]

I've tried TI Jazz flats, Chromes, and LaBella Deep Talkin Flats. Chromes are my favourite of the bunch. I tried each of these for around 6 months. Apparently LaBellas take a while to break in, but after 6 months of playing at least an hour a day, they only started to sound worse to my ears.

.

This was my experience. The LaBellas were great out of the bag and fell off over time like any other string

 

[seanm]

How are they different?

It has been 19 years since I used the FMs.... so I don't really remember. I just remember that when I went from the FMs to the FLs... everything was better. I was really shocked because I always played 105s. Sorry I can't help more

 

[zombywoof5050]

It has been 19 years since I used the FMs.... so I don't really remember. I just remember that when I went from the FMs to the FLs... everything was better. I was really shocked because I always played 105s. Sorry I can't help more

I’ve never tried the 760FM, but I have tried both the 760FL and the 760FS, and I think the 760FL are way better. The tension is much more evenly balanced from string to string on the 760FL, and they also seemed a lot more polished/smooth feeling. 760FL for the win!

On the other hand, the Chromes I tried felt terrible, tension was way too high and the sound had way too much treble, not the ‘old school’ sound of the 760FL. I used TI Flats for about 4 years before ultimately deciding that I wanted a little more tension, so I switched to the 760FL and that was 15 years ago.
YMMV

 

[Ricky Rioli]

I found the FL made a more characterful sound than the FM, and I put the blame for that on my very light touch: gently rolling past La Bellas doesn't seem to bring out their best. I've noticed that the players whose tone I like best when playing La Bellas are also double bassists.

 

[JenderBazzFass]

In my experience, Chromes seem to be good strings for recording on Fender basses. They have a long-lasting clarity on the notes that still comes through after many years of being on the bass.

Yeah, I do like the clear sound and the good definition and sustain I got from the Chromes.

Overall, I think I was mistaken in expecting the La Bella strings to give me more of what I liked with a little less stridency on the higher strings. They are much farther apart from the Chromes than I anticipated!

I can see why people prefer La Bella if they want an old school vintage vibe with that thumpy response, or the people past and present who played with a string mute.

I'm learning. On to the TI Jazz Flats as soon as they arrive.

 

[seanm]

Yeah, I do like the clear sound and the good definition and sustain I got from the Chromes.

Overall, I think I was mistaken in expecting the La Bella strings to give me more of what I liked with a little less stridency on the higher strings. They are much farther apart from the Chromes than I anticipated!

I can see why people prefer La Bella if they want an old school vintage vibe with that thumpy response, or the people past and present who played with a string mute.

I'm learning. On to the TI Jazz Flats as soon as they arrive.

Chromes and LaBella are very far apart. I tend to use Chromes in loud rock bands. LaBella for everything else.

 

[Hillbilly Sam]

Yeah, I do like the clear sound and the good definition and sustain I got from the Chromes.

Overall, I think I was mistaken in expecting the La Bella strings to give me more of what I liked with a little less stridency on the higher strings. They are much farther apart from the Chromes than I anticipated!

I can see why people prefer La Bella if they want an old school vintage vibe with that thumpy response, or the people past and present who played with a string mute.

I'm learning. On to the TI Jazz Flats as soon as they arrive.

I think that every flatwound aficionado owes them a try, at least. If you can adapt to their (lack of) stiffness and give them some time to break in, then you'll really know.
When fresh, they are a bit sticky and almost metallic sounding. Usually takes me less than a month to get rid of that.
Once the "metallic/zingyness" goes away, you start to discover a mellow woodyness that can go from thumping (not like the La Bellas but sort of) to articulate and rich highs.
From there, they'll get better the more you play them. Better as in a "cured/tanned" way. And if you don't go switching them from one bass to another excessively, they'll last you forever (or close to that).

My oldest TI flats set sounds almost muted with the tone rolled off, specially the E and A (to the point where using a mute is almost pointless, for real!). But, at the same time, can sound pretty clear and almost too bright (for my taste) with the tone full on. And the sustain, specially on the D and G, is far longer than I'd ever need.

Bottomline: patience

 

[JenderBazzFass]

I think that every flatwound aficionado owes them a try, at least. If you can adapt to their (lack of) stiffness and give them some time to break in, then you'll really know.
When fresh, they are a bit sticky and almost metallic sounding. Usually takes me less than a month to get rid of that.
Once the "metallic/zingyness" goes away, you start to discover a mellow woodyness that can go from thumping (not like the La Bellas but sort of) to articulate and rich highs.
From there, they'll get better the more you play them. Better as in a "cured/tanned" way. And if you don't go switching them from one bass to another excessively, they'll last you forever (or close to that).

My oldest TI flats set sounds almost muted with the tone rolled off, specially the E and A (to the point where using a mute is almost pointless, for real!). But, at the same time, can sound pretty clear and almost too bright (for my taste) with the tone full on. And the sustain, specially on the D and G, is far longer than I'd ever need.

Bottomline: patience

Hmm. This makes me want to try the TI Jazz Flats on my Jazz Bass.

Over the past year, I've had flats on my P-bass (Chromes) and the roundwound D'Addario Pro Steels on my Jazz Bass, which are bright strings and have lots of sustain.

I like those attributes on that jazz bass, the only thing I don't like as much is that they can sound a little clicky or a little too hi-fi once in a while. Almost like where the La Bellas lack some definition, these have a bit too much.

I do prefer the feel of playing flats, so a bright and clear set of flats (if any such thing exists) would be fun to try on the Jazz Bass.

 

[Hillbilly Sam]

Hmm. This makes me want to try the TI Jazz Flats on my Jazz Bass.

Over the past year, I've had flats on my P-bass (Chromes) and the roundwound D'Addario Pro Steels on my Jazz Bass, which are bright strings and have lots of sustain.

I like those attributes on that jazz bass, the only thing I don't like as much is that they can sound a little clicky or a little too hi-fi once in a while. Almost like where the La Bellas lack some definition, these have a bit too much.

I do prefer the feel of playing flats, so a bright and clear set of flats (if any such thing exists) would be fun to try on the Jazz Bass.

IMO, TI flats shine on jazz basses if you're after that kind of sound (I love La Bella on Ps, so you see our preferences are different).
I find that TI flats compliment the "scooped" (lows and highs) nature of jazzes in a good way: they settle them, but maintaining their harmonic richness and articulation (without all the hiss/clank/hi-fi).
On Ps are great too, ofc.

Considering what you've said along this thread I'd suggest:
- For the P, you could: either try the TIs, or wait for the Chromes to settle in for good. That might take quite a long time (around a year of intense playing, I'd venture), but as some have already said, a well broken in set of Chromes sound heavenly on Ps. I'm pretty sure that you wouldn't find any excessive highs by then. They sound very "musical", quite woody, with a nice balance of fundamental and harmonic richness, and enough sustain too (not a dead thump). But they have to be really played in for that to happen.
If even at that point you'd still find them too "high excessive", then the recommendation would be Fender flats, as some suggested too. Maybe some GHS flats (I think someone mentioned them too).

- And for the J: try the TI flats. If they aren't bright enough or if you want a "bright set of flats" straightaway, the Ernie Ball Cobalts or the Group (less bright).
Mind that the Cobalts react to some ppl's body chemistry (like mine) and rust completely, so that's a bit of a gamble. Also I find them quite fragile at the winding zone, tending to break there. But many ppl play them happily and they're definitely "the flatwound string with roundwound sound" (but without most of the clank and zing).
Other option worth considering is TI rounds: really light in gauge and stiffness, but amazing feeling and tone (in the ballpark of what I think you're after).

I know right? Too many options

 

[4StringDave]

Hmm. This makes me want to try the TI Jazz Flats on my Jazz Bass.

Over the past year, I've had flats on my P-bass (Chromes) and the roundwound D'Addario Pro Steels on my Jazz Bass, which are bright strings and have lots of sustain.

I like those attributes on that jazz bass, the only thing I don't like as much is that they can sound a little clicky or a little too hi-fi once in a while. Almost like where the La Bellas lack some definition, these have a bit too much.

I do prefer the feel of playing flats, so a bright and clear set of flats (if any such thing exists) would be fun to try on the Jazz Bass.

Try Fender 9050 flats on the jazz. I think they match rather well.