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D'Addario Flats: Medium Gauge 50-105 + 132 Single for 5-String?

Kro

Kro

May 7, 2003
6,187
12,945
New Jersey
#1
Alright, so first, let me just say that I did do a search on this, and couldn't find anything on the topic. Maybe I'm using the wrong terms (I rarely spend time in this section of TB). Anyways...

I've recently had the D'Addario 50-105 medium gauge flats come as a very strong recommendation to me from a trusted source, and I'd like to try them out on my StingRay 5.

Given that they don't make a 5-string medium gauge set, which do you think would be the better option: picking up the medium set along with a 132 single, or just getting "close enough" and testing the light 45-132 set.

Any issues with consistency/them feeling weird or off if I go the combination route? Thanks!
 
#2
Impatience got the better of me. I'm still curious as to the thoughts of the string gurus around these parts, but if nobody else is able to weigh in, I should be able to from personal experience shortly.

I have both a 4-string 50-105 set and a full 5-string 45-132 set on their way to me as I type this. My plan is to test out the 50-105+132 combination first, and then simply swap in the full "regular light gauge" set to test if the b-string feels uncomfortably off in comparison with the heavier gauge strings.

This will be my first foray into flats, and I'm pretty excited about it. I never thought I'd find myself itching to try them out, though when one of your bass heroes who's tone you've admired for forever personally recommends them to you, you listen! :D
 
#3
So given the overwhelming popularity of this thread, I feel that I owe a quick update.

I also reached out to D'Addario for comment on my plan, and they dissuaded me from trying the 132 B string with the 50-105 set. They were very polite about it, but reading between the lines, I get the sense they thought it was a dumb idea.

Anyways... so I jumped right in with the proper 45-132 5-string set. I had a show on Saturday that I was waiting to pass before I made the change, but with that passed, and a full setup later (I do all my own setup work and hate every minute of it), I'm enjoying the tone - and especially the feel of the Chromes, though I haven't yet had an opportunity to test them in a full band setting.

Next rehearsal is slated for Monday, and I'm very much looking forward to trying them out in the mix.
 
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#6
I have those Chromes on my BEAD P bass, very happy with them. I feel like they're a little stiffer than similar gauged roundwounds I had used, so lights felt closer to mediums, etc. I really like that B string FWIW
 
#7
growlypants said:
Do keep us posted - I use Chromes on my 5 -er, and they're the perfect blend of tone and tension.
Click to expand...

Kro said:
Well, looks like I can finally make good on my post above and share a more-or-less completed track that makes use of my '06 Ceramic SR5 with Chromes.

It utilizes the bass track that I was doing some tone explorations for via posts here and here, with the signal chain being nothing more than my bass into my VTDI with no effects in post aside from volume adjustment (as a band, we've moved towards a recording philosophy of minimal tweaks in post).

Not sure what date we'll actually be dropping this, but I'm not opposed to giving TB a little preview. ;)

here
Click to expand...

To follow up on this thread, I just shared the first sample recording I did with my primary project since switching to Chromes via the quote above in the StingRay club. Figured I'd share here as well in case anybody else was wondering how things are turning out. :)
 
#8
It'll work fine.

The 132 B string would match better tension-wise with a lighter set E to G, but if the 50-105 and the 132 work for you, it works for you.

The ideal match for the 132, IIRC, is the lightest set, maybe the 40-95 set.
 

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