D'Addario Chromes User Group- Chromeys Speak Out!

[Aidil]

Just wanna post some pictures of newly installed 6 string SUPER LONG SCALE Chrome strung thru body 34" scale Cort A6, which includes BSO's special .32 SL High C:

I didn't measure .32 SUPER LONG length before installation, but now that it is on the bass, actualy it's too long for this kind of bass setup. You can see it in picture #2 that small part after the blue ribbon has run out goes around the tuning post.

 

[michael_t]

I didn't measure .32 SUPER LONG length before installation, but now that it is on the bass, actualy it's too long for this kind of bass setup. You can see it in picture #2 that small part after the blue ribbon has run out goes around the tuning post.

The high C string being a bit too long wouldn't bother me much.

It's the way they sit over the saddle at a sharp break angle that would drive me nuts. Personally I would never put flats thru the body. But that's just me.

 

[shawshank72]

Got my set of balanced 40/55/75/95
Not caring for them as they are just too thin.
I want to like light strings but maybe not this light.
sigh

 

[Shardik]

Got my set of balanced 40/55/75/95
Not caring for them as they are just too thin.
I want to like light strings but maybe not this light.
sigh

Thank you for your experience. In danger of repeating myself too much, I have tried to put together a balanced set of Chromes myself, and they work fine. My set is .045 .060 .080 .105 . I use it all the time now. Since the Chromes have a pretty bright sound compared to other flats, I find them to be good allround strings.

And BTW, I tune my basses DGCF these days. I find the above string set can handle that, too.

 

[shawshank72]

Thank you for your experience. In danger of repeating myself too much, I have tried to put together a balanced set of Chromes myself, and they work fine. My set is .045 .060 .080 .105 . I use it all the time now. Since the Chromes have a pretty bright sound compared to other flats, I find them to be good allround strings.

And BTW, I tune my basses DGCF these days. I find the above string set can handle that, too.

Sounded great after a night of soaking in lotion.
I found I had to raise my action from < 2mm to 2.6 for these.
Love the feel but find I get lost on the D and G, dosent feel like anything there.
I can't imagine playing in D, the 105E yes but the rest must be rubbery?
But then I'm coming from sets of like 55/70/90/110

 

[Aidil]

The high C string being a bit too long wouldn't bother me much.

It's the way they sit over the saddle at a sharp break angle that would drive me nuts. Personally I would never put flats thru the body. But that's just me.

yup, the non-blue ribbon part that goes around the tuning post is fine by me also. The previous XL Nickel strings didn't even have any ribbon at all. And given the fact that the high C string diameter is relatively small, so it's not the same case as if it were the lower / larger diameter string.

I put these flats thru body not that without much considerations first. Many posts in TB have been taken into thought. And now that I've done it, I'm not experiencing anything wrong either. I'm satisfied with this setup.

 

[tallboybass]

Sounded great after a night of soaking in lotion.
I found I had to raise my action from < 2mm to 2.6 for these.
Love the feel but find I get lost on the D and G, dosent feel like anything there.
I can't imagine playing in D, the 105E yes but the rest must be rubbery?
But then I'm coming from sets of like 55/70/90/110

I played my PJ with new 40-55-75-95 Chromes at a gig where I have to tune down to Eb tonight. Surprisingly, it KILLed! I think it still had more tension than the TI's tuned to E. I mainly just use the P pickup and it usually tends to sound a bit obese to me. The light Chromes helped provide definition where other strings have not. They were pretty zingy since I haven't really played it a whole lot since installing the strings, but I like what that brought to this bass!

 

[Shardik]

When it comes to downtuning, I have a short scale (30" Squier Short Scale PJ Jaguar), tuned DGCF. Admittedly not Chromes (I have LaBella Deep Talkin flats on it), but the heaviest string is a .105. Even with this short scale, tuning to DGCF works surprisingly well.

 

[bassandkeys42]

I have been using rounds since I started playing in high school and had never even heard of flatwound strings until I found TB. After going back and forth about the decision for a looong time, I finally threw some Chromes on my Squier VM Jazz yesterday and even though I have yet to play a live gig with them, I think it's safe to say...I'm a flatwound convert!

 

[shawshank72]

I have been using rounds since I started playing in high school and had never even heard of flatwound strings until I found TB. After going back and forth about the decision for a looong time, I finally threw some Chromes on my Squier VM Jazz yesterday and even though I have yet to play a live gig with them, I think it's safe to say...I'm a flatwound convert!

Your welcome

 

[andbaggio]

Well, I just bought me a set of chromes and can't wait to put them on my '94 Fender Jazz Bass. I bought the D'addario ECB81 and I hope they'll do the job for me. I'm very eager to try them out. I guess I can be part of this group since I'll be using chromes...

 

[bassrich]

Hey all, got chromes bogo last week at GC, threw a set on my JP-90 sounds killer

 

[garytone]

Tons of good info in this post - thanks to all who've taken the time to share their experiences.

I like Chromes a LOT. I've been playing seriuosly since 1975, with a couple of sabaticals to nudge the sanity a bit. D'Addario half rounds and Chromes tickle me just right.

 

[Aidil]

Is there anyone here using Chrome with acoustic bass?

I'm thinking of converting the strings in my acoustic from EXP Coated Phosphor Bronze to Chrome. Will there be any disadvantage?

 

[20db pad]

Is there anyone here using Chrome with acoustic bass?

I'm thinking of converting the strings in my acoustic from EXP Coated Phosphor Bronze to Chrome. Will there be any disadvantage?

Chromes have a lot of tension so I'd stick to light gauges like .040....

 

[tallboybass]

My friend has the 45-100 set on a Fender acoustic with no neck problems in a few years use. They sound great!

 

[shawshank72]

Is there anyone here using Chrome with acoustic bass?

I'm thinking of converting the strings in my acoustic from EXP Coated Phosphor Bronze to Chrome. Will there be any disadvantage?

Chromes have a lot of tension so I'd stick to light gauges like .040....

I have a set of 40/55/75/95 that would be perfect for that.
Just sayin'
I've used flats on an acoustic and it sounds wonderful.

 

[tallboybass]

I have a set of 40/55/75/95 that would be perfect for that.
Just sayin'
I've used flats on an acoustic and it sounds wonderful.

Agreed, that would be the perfect set of Chromes for this application. I use tapes on mine...Very low tension and sound great!

 

[Aidil]

Chromes have a lot of tension so I'd stick to light gauges like .040....

My friend has the 45-100 set on a Fender acoustic with no neck problems in a few years use. They sound great!

I have a set of 40/55/75/95 that would be perfect for that.
Just sayin'
I've used flats on an acoustic and it sounds wonderful.

Of course I will pay attention to total string tension and I might have to adjust the truss rod due to change of tension with completely different kind of strings. I kinda want to go with the ECB84 Custom Light Gauge set (40 60 80 100) and add CB132 low B so it wouldn't go beyond the stock EXPPBB170-5 set tension.

My concern is that many posts here on TB mentioned that acoustic basses will have best unplugged sound volume with phosphor bronze strings. So I guess changing to Chrome might reduce the volume when strictly playing acoustic.

Thank all for the comments

 

[shawshank72]

My concern is that many posts here on TB mentioned that acoustic basses will have best unplugged sound volume with phosphor bronze strings. So I guess changing to Chrome might reduce the volume when strictly playing acoustic.

I found this to be true, but not anything drastic.