D'Addario Chromes, Med or Lights?

[michael_t]

When I said that medium chromes are less stiff, I meant in comparison to other sets of flats of the same-ish gauge.

I would still have to disagree...respectfully.

Comparing similar gauges, I still find the Chromes to be stiffer than most, including GHS, Fender and La Bella. For example, just comparing the 45G, the Chrome is the stiffest-feeling of all I've tried in the past as well as one of the heaviest in tension (as in the actual pulling weight).

 

[br1qbat]

I would still have to disagree...respectfully.

Comparing similar gauges, I still find the Chromes to be stiffer than most, including GHS, Fender and La Bella. For example, just comparing the 45G, the Chrome is the stiffest-feeling of all I've tried in the past as well as one of the heaviest in tension (as in the actual pulling weight).

Fair enough. Agree to disagree. YMMV and all that. You had only listed sets of lighter gauge in response to my inquiry into sets of similiar gauge to med chromes. Hence my confusion.

 

[michael_t]

You had only listed sets of lighter gauge in response to my inquiry into sets of similiar gauge to med chromes. Hence my confusion.

Here's just one example of what I'm talking about...

GHS Precision Flat 45G = 41.5 lbs.
D'A Chrome 45G = 53.3 lbs.

While I'm fully aware of the fact "tension" (pulling weight) is not the same as "stiffness", the difference in tension can affect the way they actually feel, as in the above example.

Meanwhile, the Chromes 50G and 70D weigh in at 64.1 lbs. and 65.1 lbs. respectively.

Agree to disagree - I'm cool with that.

 

[lz4005]

D'Addario Chromes Flat Wound, either lights or meds love to hear your thoughts.

Nobody else can tell you what you're going to like the feel and sound of. They can only tell you what they like. Their ears and fingers are not yours.

 

[MtManiac]

I like Mediums - I like the higher tension and the stronger fundamental.

 

[bassbully]

Newbie here, going over my used P bass, strings were worthless, and been going nuts on You Tube and decided to with D'Addario Chromes Flat Wound, either lights or meds love to hear your thoughts.

Thank you .
Frank

Longtime Chromes user. Go med 105. The light don’t have the grab, feel or tone IMO.

 

[michael_t]

Here's another suggestion...

Instead of having to decide between "Light" and "Medium", how about putting together a custom set, 45-65-85-105?

 

[InnerBass]

Custom Lights ECB84 40-60-80-100.

I personally find the regular lights (ECB81, 45-65-80-100) very uneven in tension with G and D being a little too tense.

I agree

 

[BassBeginer64]

45-65-85-105?

Daddario ECB81 Chrome Flatwounds 4 String Light (45 - 65 - 80 - 100) Long Scale

Daddario ECB82 Chrome Flatwounds 4 String Med (50-70-85-105)Long Scale

Well you kinda read my mind, I have to stop shopping while drinking Jack and Coke, yeah bought both.
Now just deciding what Bridge to purchase.......

 

[michael_t]

45-65-85-105?

Daddario ECB81 Chrome Flatwounds 4 String Light (45 - 65 - 80 - 100) Long Scale

Daddario ECB82 Chrome Flatwounds 4 String Med (50-70-85-105)Long Scale

Well you kinda read my mind, I have to stop shopping while drinking Jack and Coke, yeah bought both.
Now just deciding what Bridge to purchase.......

If you end up liking 45-65-85-105, you can put together a custom set Invalid Link Removed, instead of having to buy two sets to make up one.

 

[bassliner50]

I suggest the heaviest gauge you can tolerate. I use 50-105 mediums stainless steel. Better tone, better response, longer lasting. Dean markley 2676 if my preference. Light strings are too wimpy IMHO.

 

[BassBeginer64]

Here's another suggestion...

Instead of having to decide between "Light" and "Medium", how about putting together a custom set, 45-65-85-105?

Thank You For The Info!

 

[matthewbrown]

Newbie here, going over my used P bass, strings were worthless, and been going nuts on You Tube and decided to with D'Addario Chromes Flat Wound, either lights or meds love to hear your thoughts.

Thank you .
Frank

I have the mediums on the 4-string I use for rock and blues. They're VERY stiff. They have the most solid fundamental of any string I've played, although not much high end response. So for playing simpler music, they're awesome. I have them on my archtop fretless, too, and again, the best tone for walking jazz tunes on that bass -- but very stiff and they limit how fast I can play. If I want a more fusion-oriented tone on that bass, I restring it with Thomastiks.

So if you have adequate technique and you're playing simpler music, I highly recommend them for the most solid tone. If you have difficulty playing stiffer strings, either for technical reasons or because of your hands, you'd probably want to avoid the medium chromes.

 

[BassBeginer64]

I have meat hooks for hands, AKA Paws.....

 

[Sam Evans]

Another vote for the custom lights. I have them on two basses, and I'm thinking about throwing another set on a third ...

 

[Calvin Marks]

Custom Lights ECB84 40-60-80-100.

I personally find the regular lights (ECB81, 45-65-80-100) very uneven in tension with G and D being a little too tense.

Completely agree. I use the 40-100s and they work really well on my p bass. Though on my Pino bass I use TIs.

 

[Klondike]

I like to use the Mediums or EB Cobalt Slinky Flats, truth be tole I prefer the EB's but they seem harder to find and when ai do they are more expensive. GL OP

 

[Runnerman]

I use Lights. Very similar tension to medium rounds which makes swapping to flats pretty pain free. Limited set up changes.

 

[AaronVonRock]

I’ve been using Mediums for almost the past five years and love them. They are thick and stiff which I prefer. I play with a heavy right hand with little to no finesse and Mediums are well suited for my (lack of) technique.

 

[God's Favorite Bass]

+1 for extra light Chromes...buttery but not noodle-y.