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Do Chromes mellow out?

jmceachern36

jmceachern36

Nov 13, 2005
1,385
219
60
Cambridge MA
#1
Do Chromes mellow out a bit? I've always used GHS flats. They're smooth and sound like flatwounds right away. The Chromes are sticky and sound like rounds. Worst of both worlds. They were on my Birdsong when I bought it. The one thing I do like about them is the very thick and punchy mid and upper mids. They cut through the mix better than the GHS flats. Will the Chromes start to sound like flats and get smooth?
 
#3
I just hit six months with one bass and a month on another. The six month old strings have mellowed some but they still have a nice attack without the zing.

Getting Chromes was the best string decision I've ever made. I really like these things.

BTW I put alcohol on my new ones before installing them and noticed no stickiness.
 
#10
My chromes were very sticky when I first got them but I read that they get smoother over time. I couldn't wait so every once in a while I'd rub my fingers up and down the strings a few times quite firmly. It didn't take long to get them ultra-smooth.

Also, I love that they're brighter than regular flats without being as bright as rounds. Makes them more versatile since you can dial off the brightness if you want.
 
#11
on my fretless J,they're 1.5 years old ,every body that plays it says`fantastic',my other axe being a fretted P with SIT silencers so in comparison=yes they are mellower,don't recall any stickyness but i did have to wipe em down to remove machineing dust(i guess that's what you'd call it),super reliable strings,had em on a couple Squier basses before the fretless(a year on that they just feel better every time too)

i'd like to try the `silencers' on a fretted J they've never really calmed down much,the `Chromes' i'd recomend em but i have no intention of purchasing more sets,,too many other brands to try(had SHaris rotos and Fender flats,time for some labellas i guess?)
 
#12
steelhead2 said:
on my fretless J,they're 1.5 years old ,every body that plays it says`fantastic',my other axe being a fretted P with SIT silencers so in comparison=yes they are mellower,don't recall any stickyness but i did have to wipe em down to remove machineing dust(i guess that's what you'd call it),super reliable strings,had em on a couple Squier basses before the fretless(a year on that they just feel better every time too)

i'd like to try the `silencers' on a fretted J they've never really calmed down much,the `Chromes' i'd recomend em but i have no intention of purchasing more sets,,too many other brands to try(had SHaris rotos and Fender flats,time for some labellas i guess?)
Click to expand...

Go for the Fender (new)9050CL flats. I think they are better than chromes. I think they would appeal to anybody who likes chromes. They are smooth(not sticky) and are very lively with a great fundamental. Thy're also inexpensive.
 
#13
mine were sticky when i first got them too.. i thought it was just me.
i've had mine over a year now... i'd love to honestly say they are more mellow.. but i can't remember what they sounded like last year.

They still sound good if that matters...

and i almost alway's roll off the highs.. often i got that tone knob all the way down... or less than half... i like that mellow thud
 
#14
Thanks for the responses. I put the GHS flats back on. I'm not patient enough I guess. I was trying to stick with them because I'm playing in this heavy rock cover band and I thought they might cut through better but the GHS flats seem to do just fine. Actually better than just fine. They sound and cut through great.
 
#16
I've tried Chromes and I think they're great! I have SIT Silencers on my Kinal now, and they sound great but feel awful. They're very "sticky" feeling. I much prefer the GHS Pressurewounds, which I have on my fretless. If I go back to flats at any time, Chromes will likely be it! Otherwise I like the GHS Pressurewounds, DR Sunbeams and Fatbeams.
 
#18
jmceachern36 said:
Do Chromes mellow out a bit? I've always used GHS flats. They're smooth and sound like flatwounds right away. The Chromes are sticky and sound like rounds. Worst of both worlds. They were on my Birdsong when I bought it. The one thing I do like about them is the very thick and punchy mid and upper mids. They cut through the mix better than the GHS flats. Will the Chromes start to sound like flats and get smooth?
Click to expand...

I find that chromes do mellow out. However, if you want the sound of broken in Chromes, I highly recommend Ernie Ball flatwounds. Similar in feel and tone but less bright.
 
#19
Going a bit off-subject, but how much tension do the Chromes have compared to the same gauge of roundwound? Most flatwounds I've tried, with the exception of the Thomastik Jazz, seem to be noticeably heavier feeling than the equivalent gauge roundwound.

I'm interested in trying a set on my Precision.
 

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