If you only have the 2 basses, I recommend you not sell the Squier. If anthing ever happens to your Sterling you'll be more heartbroken than you can ever imagine.
Share the love, dilute the grief.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
D'Addario Chromes User Group- Chromeys Speak Out!
- Thread starter Rip Topaz
- Start date
Share the love, dilute the grief.
This chart is fantastic and really helpful, especially to those who (like myself) are quite new to flats. I'd also love to see an expanded version with the likes of Fender 9050 & GHS Precision added. I think the EB SS flats should be marked as 'Group' as that's the common name for them, and maybe add 'Slinky' to the Cobalt name.
I'm guessing that Fender 9050 would place somewhere in the region of Chromes & Cobalts? Where would you place GHS Precision & DR Legends?
New Chromes silks look awesome. Green pack ECB80 Super Light set with replacement .55D.
Just as a heads up - I think I recently saw a post where EB Group Flats are being repackaged and perhaps even re-designated? …and just when you finally figured out their whacky nomenclature! I could be wrong - would be happy to be wrong - but keep an eye out.
No Michael, though I’ve been following that Fender story. This was showing a set of new EB Group short scale strings - yellow package different graphics, new product, and the Group name was there but backgrounded. I wish I could relocate it - gotta stop browsing at 2 am 
!
!
Are you talking about this packaging? Or, something different again?This was showing a set of new EB Group short scale strings - yellow package different graphics, new product, and the Group name was there but backgrounded. I wish I could relocate it - gotta stop browsing at 2 am
No, that’s it. I found it as well. Nothing to see here, I guess… I am curious about the length of these and whether they’d fit my 31.5” scale 5’s. I have to look further; the Sweetwater sight had an info page included in their pics (turns out it’s only an artist listing). Since I use short scales, maybe I’ll inquire about ball to silk length. I love the Group Flats but have been limited to Dunlop medium scale for adequate length. …not unhappy with Dunlop, just curious about these. Sorry Chromeys for not mentioning you
!
Last edited:
Ernie Ball changed the packaging for the stainless steel flats a couple of years ago, and introduced a couple of short scale sets at the same time. Instead of Group I, II, III, etc. they're now designated Group 1, 2, 3, etc. As far as I know, the strings themselves haven't changed.
Thanks. I sure hope they don’t change the strings! I’ve never tried them in short scale but I might.
What is up? I just got these after spending $120 on strings for my fretless.
Take 1: EB flats. They are awful. Sound great, but are "sticky"/high-friction. I can't describe it well, but once your finger is positioned, it can't move well, so no slides or fixing intonation mid-note etc. There were a small minority of reviews pointing this out, but most didn't mention it. Someone I chatted width online reported the same. Perhaps related: Unlike most flats, there is a notable gap between each winding. Maybe also responsible for the bright done? Maybe also means they won't last as long as most flats since dirt/debris etc can get in?
Take 2: Chromes. Lesson learned: Medium scale isn't the normal one.
Take 3: Chromes. They work well!
Take 1: EB flats. They are awful. Sound great, but are "sticky"/high-friction. I can't describe it well, but once your finger is positioned, it can't move well, so no slides or fixing intonation mid-note etc. There were a small minority of reviews pointing this out, but most didn't mention it. Someone I chatted width online reported the same. Perhaps related: Unlike most flats, there is a notable gap between each winding. Maybe also responsible for the bright done? Maybe also means they won't last as long as most flats since dirt/debris etc can get in?
Take 2: Chromes. Lesson learned: Medium scale isn't the normal one.
Take 3: Chromes. They work well!
Which EB flats, Group (Stainless) or Cobalt?
I have Group 3 and 4 sets and don’t find them sticky or high-friction at all, but I always clean strings with rubbing alcohol before installation. Like Chromes or LaBella DTF, very tight/smooth, no winding gaps on mine.
Just to clarify, I take it you're talking about the Cobalt flats (aka Slinky Flatwound)? I'm not a fan of them at all. I would much prefer the EB Stainless Steel Flats, which are much smoother in surface feel.
Ernie Ball Super Slinky Flatwound Bass Guitar Strings, 45-100 Gauge (P02814)
Last edited:
Nice! But wait a minute - your table describes ECB81 as Very Bright. But D’Addario has them as nearly their most mellow. ?
Attachments
D'Addario's spectrum is showing Chromes being mellow compared to other D'Addario strings, like nickel and steel roundwounds. Chromes are considered bright when compared to other flats.
Honeymoon with the TI flats is over. I very much appreciate having a new set of ecb81 on my other bass. These are so smooth (they don't stick to my fingers any more either) and the tone is almost glassy with super focused lows and just overall very modern sound that fits the active bass (trbx304) very well. I completely forgot how these sound new and I love it (older set is 5yo and stiff and dead, boring sounding tbh). They complement the TI's sound perfectly. Oldschool vs modern.
Surprisingly the tension does not bother me either, but it would be interesting to try out some of the balanced configurations mentioned in this thread. I will have to think about it and maybe order some singles if I decide to go with short scale chromes too.
Speaking of, how are the short scale chromes?
Surprisingly the tension does not bother me either, but it would be interesting to try out some of the balanced configurations mentioned in this thread. I will have to think about it and maybe order some singles if I decide to go with short scale chromes too.
Speaking of, how are the short scale chromes?
Last edited:
