D'Addario Chromes User Group- Chromeys Speak Out!

[Pantone 333]

I've been using Chromes on my fretless for about a decade now. I'm only on my second set, and only that many because I wanted to try a different gauge.
I just this evening put some Chromes on my fretted bass. Flats on frets is new for me, but I dig it so far. I handpicked individual strings (.095, .075, .055, .040) to try to get the string tension as balanced as possible.

Great gauge choice!

 

[Sam Evans]

Great gauge choice!

Thanks! I got spoiled with the balanced tension set of D'Addario rounds I was using, so I decided to cobble together my own balanced set of flats.

 

[Aidil]

I've been using Chromes on my fretless for about a decade now. I'm only on my second set, and only that many because I wanted to try a different gauge.
I just this evening put some Chromes on my fretted bass. Flats on frets is new for me, but I dig it so far. I handpicked individual strings (.095, .075, .055, .040) to try to get the string tension as balanced as possible.

Me too have been using those same gauges in the last 4 years or so, and on a fretted bass too, though mine is a semi-hollow body. And since it's a 5 string, coincidentally those gauges are somewhat balanced tension with the one and only Chromes .132 low-B (BEADG = 35.9, 35.2, 36.4, 36.6, 37.6 lbs according to D'Addario tension chart pdf).

 

[cxcxcx]

D’addario always seemed hesitant about offering .105-.045 sets - the XL nickel round set is a relatively new offering. So, they don’t offer .105-.045 in Chromes, either. Undeterred, I make custom sets from single gauge strings. It’s a pain because they’ve been tough to find during Covid, and often each individual string I have on one bass is from a different store than the others. Still, it’s my fave flatwound set by a country mile. Luckily I only change them about twice a year.

 

[michael_t]

D’addario always seemed hesitant about offering .105-.045 sets - the XL nickel round set is a relatively new offering. So, they don’t offer .105-.045 in Chromes, either. Undeterred, I make custom sets from single gauge strings. It’s a pain because they’ve been tough to find during Covid, and often each individual string I have on one bass is from a different store than the others. Still, it’s my fave flatwound set by a country mile. Luckily I only change them about twice a year.

Are you based in the US? If so, Jason at Fret Nation has put together a custom "balanced tension" set of the Chromes (45-60-80-105) for the same price as the other factory sets.

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[cxcxcx]

Are you based in the US? If so, Jason at Fret Nation has put together a custom "balanced tension" set of the Chromes (45-60-80-105) for the same price as the other factory sets.

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Ding! Thanks - I only look at basses when I go to that site

 

[webmonster]

Are you based in the US? If so, Jason at Fret Nation has put together a custom "balanced tension" set of the Chromes (45-60-80-105) for the same price as the other factory sets.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Snap!
I'm just in the process of doing this myself.

I've had standard Chromes (ECB81) on my 1980 4001 for many years.
I like them a lot and was wondering if iI could even up the string tensions and possibly drop the overall tension a smidge.
I used the std Rickenbacker set as a starting point 45-55-75-105 and ended up with this set in Chromes:
G 45 47lb
D 60 46lb
A 75 42.5lb or 80 47.5lb
E 105 43lb

... so is it better to have G D & A about the same or A & E the same and G & D the same?

The other thing I've found is that the E .100 is difficult to intonate accurately. Has anyone else found this? D'addario even sent me a replacement which was little better (this was 5 years ago).

 

[michael_t]

I've had standard Chromes (ECB81) on my 1980 4001 for many years.
I like them a lot and was wondering if iI could even up the string tensions and possibly drop the overall tension a smidge.
I used the std Rickenbacker set as a starting point 45-55-75-105 and ended up with this set in Chromes:
G 45 47lb
D 60 46lb
A 75 42.5lb or 80 47.5lb
E 105 43lb

... so is it better to have G D & A about the same or A & E the same and G & D the same?

Here are the tension figures for the "balanced tension" sets I worked out several years ago based on the D'Addario Tension Chart PDF.

Chromes 40-55-75-95:

G 040 - 37.6 (lbs.)
D 055 - 36.6
A 075 - 36.4
E 095 - 35.2

Chromes 45-60-80-105:

G 045 - 45.7 (lbs.)
D 060 - 45.2
A 080 - 43.7
E 105 - 41.5

What's confusing, though, is the tension numbers on the D'A website keep changing.

 

[gigetto]

For example my not new D'Addario's round EXL 170 on my P are similar in tone to Chrome?

 

[Kro]

New Chromes Day! Ready for many years of use

 

[dave64o]

I tried a set of GHS Precision Flats on my L-2500 earlier this year. In general, not bad, but quite a bit duller, darker, and thuddier than even the Labella DTFs I have on my Precision V. Certainly usable for that kind of tone, but not what I was looking for. But I was surprised at how indistinct and lacking in definition the B string was.

It was wearing a set of Chromes before the Precision Flats and I think they worked much better on this bass for my needs. I just ordered a set to put back on it. So, after that experiment, Chromes remain my favorite flats. They've worked out very well for me on every bass I've tried them on.

Come to think of it, I also tried the same experiment on my Ibanez AGB-205 and had the same result. Guess I'll have to order a second set of Chromes.

 

[Mastermold]

Here are the tension figures for the "balanced tension" sets I worked out several years ago based on the D'Addario Tension Chart PDF.

Chromes 40-55-75-95:

G 040 - 37.6 (lbs.)
D 055 - 36.6
A 075 - 36.4
E 095 - 35.2

Chromes 45-60-80-105:

G 045 - 45.7 (lbs.)
D 060 - 45.2
A 080 - 43.7
E 105 - 41.5

What's confusing, though, is the tension numbers on the D'A website keep changing.

I might revisit the balanced tension set again. The regular "light" ECB81 Chromes' higher tension D and G feel "right" to me on Fender basses, so I went back to those after feeling the balanced set D and G were too slack. But that was several years ago, I might feel different today. Worth the price of a new set of strings to find out anyway.

 

[Stinga1990]

I have concluded that I am a chromes man, and no other string will do. I don't like them when they go dull though, I like the newish sound better, with zip, bite, and punch. Just popped on my cort artisan B5 and it's awesome so far, techniques like chords and popping just cut though so much better with the solid focus they have. This focus is what separates chromes from rounds even though they have a roundish brilliance to them.

 

[Wolfhound32]

Chromes sounded pretty good on my P-bass and Stingray, however I found other sets I liked better.

Then, last night I installed a set on my Bongo; WhooHoo!! These two sound fantastic together. Just wanted to share with my fellow Chromey's

Rock on y'all!~

 

[dave64o]

I've had them on my Precision and have them on my Stingray (tried a couple of other different sets of strings on the Stingray since I last had Chromes on it, but I'm back to Chromes). And, even though I've never owned a Bongo, I have no doubt they sound fantastic on that bass;.

I have drooled over one very specific Bongo and have only ever seen one like it. If it ever does pop up for sale, I'll have some explaining to do, but at least I'll get to hear for myself how Chromes sound on it.

 

[booch29]

I have concluded that I am a chromes man, and no other string will do. I don't like them when they go dull though, I like the newish sound better, with zip, bite, and punch. Just popped on my cort artisan B5 and it's awesome so far, techniques like chords and popping just cut though so much better with the solid focus they have. This focus is what separates chromes from rounds even though they have a roundish brilliance to them.

you nailed the description of the chromes- focused tone! exactly why i love them (on a jazz bass)!!! they didn't got along with my p bass tough....

 

[Stinga1990]

you nailed the description of the chromes- focused tone! exactly why i love them (on a jazz bass)!!! they didn't got along with my p bass tough....

That surprises me. What was the issue with chromes on a p?

 

[Rev12_11]

I'm really not a D'addario guy at all.... My first choice is Labella followed by GHS Precision Flats. Wanting to try something different I've put Chromes on a Yamaha TRBX505 and they are a great match. Very smooth sounding, feeling with less (IMO) thump They're not coming off this bass.

 

[booch29]

That surprises me. What was the issue with chromes on a p?

the e (105) string sounded very muddy and the tension was high...probably felt like that because my p neck is wide- 1.75"
i suppose i like them on a jazz because of the already focused tone of it, which is a good match to these strings.

 

[Stinga1990]

I have to agree that single coils and flats are a natural match. The chromes also respond very well to active electronics. I do think that chromes might also be more sensitive to neck construction and scale, and I imagine they would do really well on something like a dingwall. The low b is sounding very articulate on my cort so far at least to the 12th fret like the rounds did, will have to see how it holds up.