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D'Addario Chromes User Group- Chromeys Speak Out!

#547
Threw a set on my wife’s Modern Player P bass after she complained about getting blisters all the time with rounds. She played a 5 day gig 4 hours each day with zero blisters and I agree with her, they sound fantastic. Not my cup of tea on my fretless or on my old Ibanez but magic on her Fender.
 
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#548
I recently tried a set of Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats my Stingray 5HH just to try something different. My favorite strings overall, and especially on this bass, are nickel Lo Riders, but I seem to be having a torrid affair with flats these days and decided to finally try them on this bass. The Cobalt Flats aren’t bad, but I find them a little looser feeling than I prefer. They are also as bright as the reviews indicate, and I think I’d prefer a little less brightness. They also have a sticky feel that doesn’t seem to clean off so my bass always feel like a toddler just played it. :eek: :wideyed: :vomit:

I’ve had Chromes on my Precision V and currently have them on my L-2500 and have liked how they sounded on both basses, especially after they’ve been on for a while and have mellowed slightly. Seems like a no-brainer to try them on my Stingray also, but I figured i’d ask here anyway. Who’s had them on a Stingray and what have your impressions been?

FWIW, my Stingray is a 2007 model so it has the ceramic pickups (and I think the preamp also) from the 5 string Sterling of that time period, so it can be even more aggressive sounding than the typical Stingray. So, in addition to trying flats just to do something different, I was also trying to tame it a bit. I’m currently playing with one group doing mostly British Invasion and some 50s rock and another group that does 60s and 70s rock with some blues and bluesy rock.
 
#550
Rip Topaz said:
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?
Click to expand...
Yeah, I went from lights to mediums on both my Precision & Jazz; love the bigger tone. Still on the fence about my fretless Jazz; keeping TI lights on that for now.
 
#551
Before putting Chromes on my fretted Jazz (switching from TI's), I tried ErnieBall Cobalt Flats but found the tone too bright. I don't think the Jazz needs help in the brightness dept. Medium Chromes nailed the Goldilocks factor.
 
#552
Started with the ECB82 on my fretless Stingray. I was liking a lot of what I was getting but the imbalanced feeling was throwing me - D and G were playing nicely but I was getting too much clack with E and A. Upped those to 110 and 90 respectively thanks to BSO's single string options, and added a hipshot extender while I was in there.

Very pleased so far. Obviously I do have that whole "new chromes" thing to get over, but now that I've got a more even feel I shouldn't have a hard time putting real mileage on these guys.
 
#553
518785AD-B973-4B44-ABAF-982B98665988.jpeg
Just had a set of ecb81 (45-100) chromes set up on my custom ‘04 Rickenbacker Cheyenne ii fretless.
Playing it acoustically,it seems to have clearer fundamentals than with any of the various string sets i’ve had on this bass over the last 10 years. (Pictured here with Labella classic nylon tapes.)
Looking forward to hearing it through an amp later this week.
 
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#554
woodyng2 said:
View attachment 3091758 Just had a set of ecb81 (45-100) chromes set up on my custom ‘04 Rickenbacker Cheyenne ii fretless.
Playing it acoustically,it seems to have clearer fundamentals than with any of the various string sets i’ve had on this bass over the last 10 years. (Pictured here with Labella classic nylon tapes.)
Looking forward to hearing it through an amp later this week.
Click to expand...
That’s nice
 
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#558
Club revival!

I just got a set of chromes- My first flats in fact! I went with the ECB80 super light. I love the feel and sound so far; but I found the output was a little low, I had to turn my amp up higher than usual.

However, I did change variables- I rewired my p bass (same pickup, just had to replace my foam and reset the pickup) and also put on the chromes.

so I’m wondering if my pickup position/angle is to blame. Does anyone find the lighter chromes to be lower output??

hope I can sort this out, otherwise I’m loving these!
 
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