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D'Addario Chromes User Group- Chromeys Speak Out!

Love Chromes on a 4 string. Got a custom light set on my Squier Cabronita P right now. Had some on a 5 string Yamaha 425x and it had thunderous tone, but the B string was a little muddy and undefined so I am trying out other brands right now.

Still a fan though.
 
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Just got me my first Tbird and love the dark growly sound and was curious about flats on it, did you feel you lost any versatility or "cutting power"?

Not at all, in terms of flats that is. Being a flat it's not going to have the flexibility and midrange harmonic content of a round, but it is pretty bright for a flat and if you EQ the mids up you can get some good zing. Because the TBird has such good sustain I find the sustain with the Chromes more than adequate and I definitely need to mute the strings. One nice thing about the Chromes is that because they are so smooth, and with my low action, I can get half decent results when practicing my glissando technique. I've had these flats since I got the bass, about 5 months ago, and keep them clean with an occasional alcohol wipe and I'm still happy with the tone. I'm in love with my Bird and I'm happy for you that you also have one. I hope that this is helpful to you. - Cheers
 
Not at all, in terms of flats that is. Being a flat it's not going to have the flexibility and midrange harmonic content of a round, but it is pretty bright for a flat and if you EQ the mids up you can get some good zing. Because the TBird has such good sustain I find the sustain with the Chromes more than adequate and I definitely need to mute the strings. One nice thing about the Chromes is that because they are so smooth, and with my low action, I can get half decent results when practicing my glissando technique. I've had these flats since I got the bass, about 5 months ago, and keep them clean with an occasional alcohol wipe and I'm still happy with the tone. I'm in love with my Bird and I'm happy for you that you also have one. I hope that this is helpful to you. - Cheers
Sure helps! I'm putting together a string order ill get me some chromes to try!
 
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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.

942EBBC6-6D96-4064-8CA3-33E1E844BC8A.jpg

I don't want a club number....but I do want to say that I also use Chromes on my 60th anniversary P. See my avatar. Sounds lovely with those strings!
 
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I'm not a current Chrome user, but I did have a 6-yr love affair with them.

In fact, the D'A Chromes were the very first set of flats I got as my introduction to the world of flats, which went on my MIM P bass that my son played for the high school jazz band for three years. And my life as a bassist changed forever!

Then, when I got my Jazz, I had it set up with a set of Chromes (ECB84, 40-60-80-100), which stayed on there for four years.

So, as you can see, I'm no stranger to the Chromes; in fact, I still have that same set from my Jazz neatly tucked away in case I decide to re-kindle my first love sometime down the road.
 
I had the shout out several years ago for used bass strings as I hated the sound of new. At a gig a year or so ago somebody in another band that happened to know me asked if I was still after any and I said I had plenty - but then he went on to say that he had a set of chromes that he had tried and didn't like. I had been wanting to try flats for years.

They sat for about 6 months as I only had a 5 string bass and 4 strings at the time. Then I got a pbass copy, put them on and I don't think I'm ever going to go back. My only experience is with Chromes though - haven't tried other flat wounds.
 
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Chromes.jpg
Yes we have Chromes, all ECB81 45-100, bump up the low mids a bit, heavy on the bridge j pups, ..snarl all nite, and be sure to use fresh strings,...change them every 10 years to be sure...2 of my basses have come and gone, with the set that's on the Geddy now.
 
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