D'Addario Chromes User Group- Chromeys Speak Out!

[Rip Topaz]

Did a quick search and didn't find a Chromes Club, so I figured why not?

I'm a dedicated Chromes user. I've been playing bass since 1981, and for most of that time I used regular D'Addario XL rounds. A few years back I finally discovered the joy that is the Fender P, which eventually led me to give flats a try. So glad I did.

ECB81's on my MIA 60th Anniversary P-bass, had the Chromes on and off a few times. Went back to rounds a couple of times but the flats are back on it and staying this time. The current set has about three years of play on them.

My backup P, a MIM Lake Placid Blue (maple fretboard) is also wearing Chromes, but this time I went with the ECB82 set in hopes that the heavier gauge would get the tone/action closer to what I'm used to with the 60th.

It may or may not have worked, but I love the tone/feel of the heavier set. So much so that when I either wear out or break a string, I'll be swapping to the heavier gauge on that bass, too.

Being a former rounds player, switching to flats was an experiment that I'm calling a success. The Chromes are just bright enough to allow me to slap when necessary (a couple songs with my current band). And since my band plays classic/70's rock, I'm able to get the bass tones of the original recordings perfectly.

I've fallen in love with the tone I get with my Chromes, and even though I play more of a lead style of bass (think Entwistle/Butler/Sheehan) I have no problem nailing just about any tone I need. Sure the slap sound isn't the normal "Jazz bass with rounds" thing, but for the amount of slap that I play I'm totally satisfied.

So who's gonna join me and share their love of D'Addario Chromes flats? What set do you use? What is it that you like/dislike about them?

Oh, and here's a pic of my top three. The two on the right are my Chromes users. The dual pickup green bass (I call it the ThunderPea due to the pickups being in the same spots as a Thunderbird bass) is currently wearing XL rounds.

 

[tkonbass]

I'm in. I also started on bass in 1981 and always played rounds until I sat in on a gig about 15 years ago where the bassist was using flats and I fell in love with how they felt. Experimented with some other flats and then settled on Chromes since about '03 I guess.

edit to add pic:
The top 3 all sport Chromes. The Carvin had the same set of Chromes on it from 2005 up until 2 weeks ago and the 5502 has a set ready to go on it.

 

[lz4005]

I use a lot of different strings on different basses, but I love light Chromes on fretless instruments that have piezo pickups.

I currently have them on a Dean acoustic, a Godin A4 and a Zeta Crossover electric upright. They sound amazing in that application.

 

[Atshen]

I love me Chromes too!

 

[Rip Topaz]

One of the many things I really like about Chromes (other than their upper range) is that the extra tension allows for a really low action.

I started with the light gauge but am liking the mediums (ECB82) even more than the lights.

Anyone use anything other than the light gauge ECB81's?

 

[sharkbait130]

ECB81's on both of my P Basses and my Ibby GSR 200. They feel good , they sound good and they don't break the bank. The longer they are on , the better they sound. I like 'em! I have an old Cort bass with an unknown set of rounds on it. I only use it in the practice room but if I ever decide to put new strings on it , I will probably go with a set of ECB81's on it too.

edit: Just read rips post (It came on while I was posting mine.) One of my P basses is tuned to Eb. Still plenty of tension on the strings so I feel no need to go with the ECB82's , and yes , I can get very good action on all my basses.

 

[Rip Topaz]

Yeah, my third in line still has rounds on it, and probably will stay that way for at least the immediate future.

My first two in line will get Chromes again if I ever need to change them, but I'm planning on the medium gauge because I love the tension and feel. The light Chromes are great, but I really dig the heavier ones.

The mediums on my LPB P are brand new, but when the lights on my main player need changed I'll be swapping those to the mediums as well.

I've been ordering mine via Amazon and from time to time I'll find D'Addario XL rounds as a two-set pack. I've been keeping my eye out for a multi-pack of the flats. So far I've been buying single set packs.

 

[tkonbass]

One of the many things I really like about Chromes (other than their upper range) is that the extra tension allows for a really low action.

I set my basses up for medium action (some TB'rs would probably call it high) but I still like the higher tension of the Chromes because I dig in pretty hard and it keeps the tone clean for me.

I buy mainly on Amazon and have never found a multi-pack of Chromes for sale. At least not when I'm looking to buy. When I first started using them there was a seller on eBay that sold multi's at a good price but I haven't looked there in a while.

 

[Rip Topaz]

Yeah, the only two-packs I've found has been for the XL rounds. My wife and I have an Amazon Prime membership so I started ordering all of my strings through Amazon, even if only for the break in shipping costs.

I still always check before buying because the two-packs aren't always available. And yeah, never for Chromes.

But I don't mind paying full price since they last so long.

 

[bassrich]

I'm in. Have them on my Fender P, Squier CV 50's P, Bronco bass, Jaguar SS. Great strings

 

[LoTone]

Based on TB threads, I tried out Chromes a few years back. I tried several times. I would put the strings on, play a little and ripped them off after a few hours. Then about a year ago, I tried again but on that occasion, I went for the light gauge 0.040 - 0.095. Since then, they have become my goto strings.

 

[danster]

Have the lites -040-095 on my VM Fretless. Very nice, smooth sound. I want to try them on my Stingray HH. I have TI Jazz flats now - which seem to have a very heavy midrange and a little trebly on the MM.

 

[tkonbass]

Have the lites -040-095 on my VM Fretless. Very nice, smooth sound. I want to try them on my Stingray HH. I have TI Jazz flats now - which seem to have a very heavy midrange and a little trebly on the MM.

I have Chromes on my SR5 and they sound great.

 

[Fleebag]

In! I've tried them a few times in the past but they didn't gel with said bass. First was an Am Std jazz, that neck screamed bloody murder under the tension, came off quick. Then tried a lighter set later on a g&l l2500 but they just didn't sound right or good on that bass. Third times the charm, a parts jazz, mim ash body with a usacg maple/rosewood precision neck, aguilar 60's pickups into two 500k linear pots, no tone, sweet baby jesus!
Custom balanced set from bso 45/60/80/105, huge sound with some pretty good *snap* too when needed. Luvin 'em

 

[callofcthulhu]

My only complaint is that they don't make a heavier gauge B string - the 132 isn't stiff enough to match the 50-105 set.

 

[ScarfFace]

Of my 6 basses, 4 have Chromes on them. A MIM Jazz, A Fender Cabronita, A MIM P bass, and Mikey Way Mustang. They are easily my favorite strings. Admittedly, I haven't tried La Bellas or TI's, but why would I spend $80 for a set when I love the $20 Chromes so much!? We should have numbers for this club to make it official. If we do, can I officially request #11?

 

[wraub]

Another user here.
Have Chromes on my passive P bass and my active Ibanez RB885 fretless. The low B on the Ibanez and the D on the P bass (Hipshot detuner) sound just great to me.

I even sometimes put 'em on my Jazz bass, and, sometimes, on my fretted RB885.

The strings sound good on all of them.

 

[Growlmonkee]

My favorite string by far.

 

[JakobT]

Love those Chromes as well! I also use them on my P-bass.

 

[wintremute]

I'm currently using Ernie Ball Flatwounds Group II. I think I'll try these next time.