D'addario chromes on 6 string Bass

[Jonzee23]

Hey guys, I have a 6 string SR Ibanez solid body bass and I was wondering if it is possible to have a 6 string set with gauges:
.32, .45, .65, .85, .105, .132

Or would the overall string tension of that set be too high with the . 85 A & .105 E bass strings for a thin profile 6 string bass neck?

 

[michael_t]

Hey guys, I have a 6 string SR Ibanez solid body bass and I was wondering if it is possible to have a 6 string set with gauges:
.32, .45, .65, .85, .105, .132

Or would the overall string tension of that set be too high with the . 85 A & .105 E bass strings for a thin profile 6 string bass neck?

The D'A Chromes are relatively stiff and high tension, so for something a bit better-balanced and comfortable on a 6-string, I would suggest 32-40-55-75-95-132.

 

[Jonzee23]

The D'A Chromes are relatively stiff and high tension, so for something a bit better-balanced and comfortable on a 6-string, I would suggest 32-40-55-75-95-132.

Ohhhh ok I see haha cheers for the help man ^_^

 

[Jonzee23]

The D'A Chromes are relatively stiff and high tension, so for something a bit better-balanced and comfortable on a 6-string, I would suggest 32-40-55-75-95-132.

I'm actually from New Zealand and we get hardly no hardly any string options here and even more so for 6 string flatwound bass string set ups The only D'A singles that I can is the .32 High C and I can only lower the tension of the E and A, by getting the standard 45-132 set-which has an .80 A & .100 E

I would have had to buy an extra 4 string 50-105 set
to get the .85 A and 105 E

 

[michael_t]

I'm actually from New Zealand and we get hardly no hardly any string options here and even more so for 6 string flatwound bass string set ups The only D'A singles that I can is the .32 High C and I can only lower the tension of the E and A, by getting the standard 45-132 set-which has an .80 A & .100 E

I would have had to buy an extra 4 string 50-105 set
to get the .85 A and 105 E

Well... You can always try the standard 45-132 5-string set with the 32C and see how they work for you. Sounds like that would be the simplest way for you.

 

[Jonzee23]

Well... You can always try the standard 45-132 5-string set with the 32C and see how they work for you. Sounds like that would be the simplest way for you.

Ok cool I will, it will definitely be a cheaper way hahaha thank you so much for the help man ^_^

 

[Jonzee23]

Well... You can always try the standard 45-132 5-string set with the 32C and see how they work for you. Sounds like that would be the simplest way for you.

Hey also I wondering with D'A chromes, are you able to get a snappy, growly and bitey bridge pick up sound If you dial in the mid range way more, especially when im eq-ing with a 3 band active pre-amp? Or can you only get that type of sound from Thomastik-Infield Jazz Flasts & general Roundwounds?

 

[michael_t]

Hey also I wondering with D'A chromes, are you able to get a snappy, growly and bitey bridge pick up sound If you dial in the mid range way more, especially when im eq-ing with a 3 band active pre-amp?

For that type of tone, I would prefer something a little lighter, like the custom gauges I suggested earlier.

How much trouble would it be where you are to get a single 32C and a single 132B, and match them up with the Chromes ECB80 4-string set (40-60-75-95)?

 

[Jonzee23]

For that type of tone, I would prefer something a little lighter, like the custom gauges I suggested earlier.

How much trouble would it be where you are to get a single 32C and a single 132B, and match them up with the Chromes ECB80 4-string set (40-60-75-95)?

Ohhhh ok hahaha

Well I can get the .32 C and .132 B easily, but for that custom light gauge 4 string set I would have to import them off a USA site like maybe Strings By Mail or something, but the shipping alone might be quite expensive given that NZ is so far away from the US hahaha

 

[michael_t]

Well I can get the .32 C and .132 B easily, but for that custom light gauge 4 string set I would have to import them off a USA site like maybe Strings By Mail or something, but the shipping alone might be quite expensive given that NZ is so far away from the US hahaha

Chromes ECB80, 40-60-75-95, is a factory set. 60D instead of 55D.

I've once referred another TB member from NZ to Strings By Mail because of their relatively low international shipping rates. Being from Canada myself, I always negotiate prices with Matt there to offset the shipping cost. He's been great to deal with in that regard.

 

[Jonzee23]

Ohhhh ok hahaha

Well I can get the .32 C and .132 B easily, but for that custom light gauge 4 string set I would have to import them off a USA site like maybe Strings By Mail or something, but the shipping alone might be quite expensive given that NZ is so far away from the US hahaha

Chromes ECB80, 40-60-75-95, is a factory set. 60D instead of 55D.

I've once referred another TB member from NZ to Strings By Mail because of their relatively low international shipping rates. Being from Canada myself, I always negotiate prices with Matt there to offset the shipping cost. He's been great to deal with in that regard.

Oh ok that's awesome! That could be doable then ^_^

Thanks again Michael

 

[Jonzee23]

Chromes ECB80, 40-60-75-95, is a factory set. 60D instead of 55D.

I've once referred another TB member from NZ to Strings By Mail because of their relatively low international shipping rates. Being from Canada myself, I always negotiate prices with Matt there to offset the shipping cost. He's been great to deal with in that regard.

Hey Michael I just checked how much it would cost in total for the D'A 40-95 4 string chromes bass set + .32 C & . 132 B and it was $114 when converted to NZ dollars, which is really cheap for a 6 string import set, especially when compared to Thomastik-Infield 6 string bass set, which equated to 186 NZ Dollars! Haha

 

[Jonzee23]

Chromes ECB80, 40-60-75-95, is a factory set. 60D instead of 55D.

I've once referred another TB member from NZ to Strings By Mail because of their relatively low international shipping rates. Being from Canada myself, I always negotiate prices with Matt there to offset the shipping cost. He's been great to deal with in that regard.

As regards to the .75 A & .95 E, being a much lighter gauge for low end strings, since they are flatwound construction do those much lighter gauges still have a solid, full and fat punchy low-end power?

 

[michael_t]

As regards to the .75 A & .95 E, being a much lighter gauge for low end strings, since they are flatwound construction do those much lighter gauges still have a solid, full and fat punchy low-end power?

This whole idea about strings needing to be big and fat in order to produce a big sound is a myth.

I've recently been exploring the lighter side of life in an effort to be kinder and gentler to my battle-scarred hands by trying out the GHS Pressurewounds 40-54-76-96 instead of my usual 44-58-80-102. And much to my surprise, they sound just as good while being more comfortable to play on. Not only that, by learning to play with a lighter touch, I'm finding I can play more musically with better dynamics.

It has also been my experience as a former flatwound enthusiast that, when it comes to flats, smaller E's (95/100) tend to be cleaner and clearer with better definition than some of the bigger ones (104/105/110), which tend to be thuddy and often even muddy.

 

[Jonzee23]

This whole idea about strings needing to be big and fat in order to produce a big sound is a myth.

I've recently been exploring the lighter side of life in an effort to be kinder and gentler to my battle-scarred hands by trying out the GHS Pressurewounds 40-54-76-96 instead of my usual 44-58-80-102. And much to my surprise, they sound just as good while being more comfortable to play on. Not only that, by learning to play with a lighter touch, I'm finding I can play more musically with better dynamics.

It has also been my experience as a former flatwound enthusiast that, when it comes to flats, smaller E's (95/100) tend to be cleaner and clearer with better definition than some of the bigger ones (104/105/110), which tend to be thuddy and often even muddy.

Oh wow ok! Sounds like the lighter gauge is better all round
thanks again man

I think that's all the queries I had for now

 

[MaHei]

Jonzee, Michael has given you great advice. I just have two things to add:
- Have the courage to mix strings if needed. The .32C in your setup will feel stiff and sound snappy. I have had good luck with the high C singles from GHS Pressurewounds (PW28) and TI flats.
- After stringing my six string basses with Chromes for years, I have switched to Ernie Ball Cobalt flats (Five string set plus single high C) and I am very happy.

 

[Jonzee23]

Jonzee, Michael has given you great advice. I just have two things to add:
- Have the courage to mix strings if needed. The .32C in your setup will feel stiff and sound snappy. I have had good luck with the high C singles from GHS Pressurewounds (PW28) and TI flats.
- After stringing my six string basses with Chromes for years, I have switched to Ernie Ball Cobalt flats (Five string set plus single high C) and I am very happy.

Yeah Michael has been a huge help

Oh ok yeah that's a good idea and im thinking a lighter gauge low B will mix in better with the lighter gauges of the E & A strings.

Oh yeah I read about those ernieball cobalt flatwounds, but are they as full and punchy as normal flatwounds or they closer to a roundwound sound, but with a flatwound feel and less finger noise?

 

[MaHei]

The Cobalt flats are as far from a thumpy, traditional flatwound as you can get. They do sound 'roundish' and when they settle, they retain a lot of their high mids. More so than Chromes which become quite middy.

Look at d'Addario's tension chart. You will see that the 132 low B goes well with the lighter E and A strings. I wouldn't go lighter.

 

[michael_t]

im thinking a lighter gauge low B will mix in better with the lighter gauges of the E & A strings.

Look at d'Addario's tension chart. You will see that the 132 low B goes well with the lighter E and A strings. I wouldn't go lighter.

Here are the numbers...

C 032 - ?? (no info on D'Addario Tension Chart)
G 040 - 37.6 lbs.
D 060 - 45.2 (055 - 36.6) - See why I always recommend the 55D?
A 075 - 36.4
E 095 - 35.2
B 132 - 35.9

 

[Jonzee23]

The Cobalt flats are as far from a thumpy, traditional flatwound as you can get. They do sound 'roundish' and when they settle, they retain a lot of their high mids. More so than Chromes which become quite middy.

Look at d'Addario's tension chart. You will see that the 132 low B goes well with the lighter E and A strings. I wouldn't go lighter.

Oh ok those cobalts sound interesting
Do the cobalt flats have more string noise and clang though?

Oh ok yeah D'A .132 B it is then haha