D'Addario Chromes Tension and Gauge Question

[Jimmy Stump]

I've done some searching but have a specific question.

I put a set of "medium gauge" ECB82 (50 - 105) Chromes on my Jazz. I can say that I do like the tone of these strings - they have a clearness to them that I don't hear often in flatwound strings.

My problem is that I find them difficult to play. It could be a tension issue or a gauge issue, or both. I never use a pick, and this is for an old school sould and R & B type project.

For folks who use D'Addario Chromes, what is the difference between the 50 - 105 set and a lighter gauge like the 45 - 100 gauge?

- Will I get a beefy enough tone if I get a lighter set?
- Will they have less tension? This is key - the 50 - 105 set are just too difficult for me.

Any insight appreciated.

 

[michael_t]

For folks who use D'Addario Chromes, what is the difference between the 50 - 105 set and a lighter gauge like the 45 - 100 gauge?

- Will I get a beefy enough tone if I get a lighter set?
- Will they have less tension? This is key - the 50 - 105 set are just too difficult for me.

The Chromes are not only "high tension", but also known for their "stiffness".

Here are the actual tension figures for the Chromes...

ECB82:

G 050 - 64.11 lbs.
D 070 - 65.08
A 085 - 51.67
E 105 - 43.15 (224.01)

ECB81:

G 045 - 53.31 lbs.
D 065 - 58.63
A 080 - 47.52
E 100 - 40.29 (199.75)
​

If you want an old-school sound with a beefier tone in a lighter package, try the GHS Precision Flats.

Precision Flatwound CM3050:

G 045 - 41.5 lbs.
D 060 - 46.5
A 080 - 44.9
E 105 - 41.2 (174.1)​

 

[Linnin]

You've likely consulted the D'Addario tension chart and run the numbers, and there's not that much difference between the two sets. Method of manufacture is identical, so the playing feel is going to be very similar. For the true Memphis Stax Soul; Chicago Chess Blues, and Motown Sound your best bets in an authentic sounding yet lower tension flatwound stringset would be GHS Precision Flats in their Custom Medium gauge or LaBella Flexible Flats.

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

D'Addario changed how they calculate their string tension. I don't believe their new method to be accurate for all the string formulas.

As posted above the current tensions they list now:

ECB82:

G 050 - 64.11 lbs.
D 070 - 65.08
A 085 - 51.67
E 105 - 43.15 (224.01)

ECB81:

G 045 - 53.31 lbs.
D 065 - 58.63
A 080 - 47.52
E 100 - 40.29 (199.75)

However if you look at their old tension chart: (in pounds)

ECB82:

.050 = 55.0
.070 = 60.2
.085 = 50.2
.105 = 46.7

ECB81:

.045 = 45.7
.065 = 52.0
.080 = 43.7
.100 = 41.5

These are much more normal. I don't believe a string at 65 pounds would work on a bass and be playable at all. A .050 tuned to G does not feel like 65 pounds to me... which is why I'm pretty sure the new numbers are not accurate. .050 at 55 pounds is a more reasonable figure.

I put together custom Chromes sets for my use when I used them as balanced as I can get them:

.045 = 45.7
.060 = 45.2
.080 = 43.7
.105 = 46.7

And they actually feel very balanced string to string.

 

[Linnin]

The Chromes are not only "high tension", but also known for their "stiffness".

Not only that, but they don't have a sound authentic to the OP's genre.

 

[michael_t]

D'Addario changed how they calculate their string tension.

Just curious... Any idea as to why the change?

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Just curious... Any idea as to why the change?

Because maths? I really have no idea why. I thiiiiiink it has to do with their new string calculator website thing and it not being able to handle the as many decimal point. All I do know is, their string formulas have not changed and I don't know of any bass players that can handle a 64.11 G-string. I would compare a GHS string at 65 pounds but they don't rate any past 57ish because anything higher is just unreasonable. It would be like tuning a .045 boomer up to B rather than G.

 

[michael_t]

I really have no idea why.

The question regarding the accuracy of the tension figures aside, let me address the OP's concern in more practical terms based on my personal experience...

D'A Chromes ECB81 45G & 65D = uncomfortably stiff to the point of hurting my finger tips when playing in lower positions.
Fender 9050L 45G & 60D = much more manageable than the Chromes in terms of overall playability.
GHS Precision Flats 45G & 60D = very comfortable to play on without losing the meaty tone.

 

[ixlramp]

Lower gauges will have lower tension yes, and so easier to play. String tension is primarily determined by gauge.
The tone will not be any less 'beefy', this is a bass myth about thin gauges. However the tone may be different in some way.

 

[Jimmy Stump]

If you want an old-school sound with a beefier tone in a lighter package, try the GHS Precision Flats.

Precision Flatwound CM3050:

G 045 - 41.5 lbs.
D 060 - 46.5
A 080 - 44.9
E 105 - 41.2 (174.1)​

Can I ask why you'd recommend the CM3050 in particular? It looks like a custom gauge set. G and D are light, and the A and E are more what I would say is "medium" gauge.

I like the warmth of the GHS I hear when I check out YouTube. FWIW, I love this guy's tone and would love to get it.



And GHS in general is less stiff and has less tension than D'Addario regardless of gauge?

 

[michael_t]

Can I ask why you'd recommend the CM3050 in particular? It looks like a custom gauge set. G and D are light, and the A and E are more what I would say is "medium" gauge.

CM3050 happens to be the best tension-balanced set. One thing I've hated about the Chromes ECB81 is how unbalanced they felt - G and D are noticeably tighter in feel compared to A and E. 45-60-80-105 would be more even all across four strings.

And GHS in general is less stiff and has less tension than D'Addario regardless of gauge?

Comparing similar gauges between the two, the GHS would be less stiff overall.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

You've likely consulted the D'Addario tension chart and run the numbers, and there's not that much difference between the two sets. Method of manufacture is identical, so the playing feel is going to be very similar. For the true Memphis Stax Soul; Chicago Chess Blues, and Motown Sound your best bets in an authentic sounding yet lower tension flatwound stringset would be GHS Precision Flats in their Custom Medium gauge or LaBella Flexible Flats.

+1 on La Bella low-tension, flexible flats ...

 

[ThudThudThud]

Your first set of Chromes takes some getting used to. They are stiff, but if you can work through the pain barrier (your fingers will hurt at first until you get used to them) it's very rewarding.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Your first set of Chromes takes some getting used to. They are stiff, but if you can work through the pain barrier (your fingers will hurt at first until you get used to them) it's very rewarding.

In my case (not that I’m complaining about the tone) it’s not my finger that hurt .. it’s my right elbow because of the stresses (dynamic stresses) received back from the hand when striking the strings (finger-picking only in my case)
I’ll soon switch to La Bella low-tension, flex. flats

Edit:

Forgot to say that, at least in my case, with the high tension characterising these strings, I’m rather constrained in the choice of embellishments I can put in my bass-lines ... this is not necessarily a bad thing as, always in my case, it helps in concentrating more on the tune

 

[Linnin]

GHS Precision Flats 45G & 60D = very comfortable to play on without losing the meaty tone.

and that's important!

 

[Linnin]

I’ll soon switch to La Bella low-tension, flex. flats

I've never played them, but have a listen ...

 

[Jimmy Stump]

Your first set of Chromes takes some getting used to. They are stiff, but if you can work through the pain barrier (your fingers will hurt at first until you get used to them) it's very rewarding.

It's not pain for me, I just don't like how tight/tense they feel. I've played other flats (rarely) but the Chromes at this gauge (50-105) are just not my thing.

 

[Linnin]

I like the warmth of the GHS I hear when I check out YouTube.

Yes, GHS Precision Flats are electric bass guitar magic.

And GHS in general is less stiff and has less tension than D'Addario regardless of gauge?

Yes, GHS Precision Flats are the most playable and toneful with less tension than: Chromes; Rotosound 77, or regular LaBella.

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

(Flexibility)

 

[FiveSixTeen]

If you want that chromes vibe with less tension check out the Ernie Ball group flats. Less tension, similar(but better) tone.