I have crossed over

[FromTheBassMent]

I too , was totally shocked by the change the flats made in the fundamental tonal characteristics of both my Stingray and Sterling. As well as ...."Me ? Flats?.. Never !!!" Guess that never just got here... Go figure!!!!

Yeah, it's weird. The only time I've tried flats in my 30+ year career as a bassist has been on Fenders and on a Pedulla Pentabuzz. Didn't like 'em. But something about the combination of the pure fundamental and somewhat restrained upper harmonic register of Chromes with the active mayhem of EBMMs seems to work in an odd and very pleasing way. I've never felt more in control of my Sterling (a difficult beast to tame).

 

[Shakin-Slim]

Worked for Carl Radle
Congrats on the discovery

 

[btp]

I just put a set of Fender 9050 flatwounds on an EBMM SR 5H, and they sound great: the harmonics are reduced somewhat, but the fundamental tones sound stronger, and it still has a lot of clarity and pop. People have been raving about these strings, with good reason, I think.

In contrast, I have a set of Labella 760FM ("deep talkin' bass") that I've been using on an Ibanez SR505, and those really are limited to the "vintage" tone. Those might not be a great choice on the on the EBMM, but the Fender 9050s sound great. So it's not just a question of flatwounds, it's which flatwounds...

 

[lunarpollen]

What gauge Chromes did you happen to switch out to on that eventful day? And you just happened to have a set with you?

Personally, I had been a rounds guy too but hated the string squeak. Found that Chromes (I like the Medium .050-.105) combined with the right settings on the on-board, active EQ on my Yamaha BB1200s created a nearly identical tone to that of rounds BUT without the string noise. Not to mentioned a bit more ease of playing. Set to passive I can get that good ol' fashioned thump on-demand too.

I'm in the exact same boat as you... BB1200S + Chromes = everything you've said.

 

[kenstee]

I'm in the exact same boat as you... BB1200S + Chromes = everything you've said.

If you remember YOU you were the one that turned me on to this!

 

[steelhead2]

shee bro i dig it,don't even have to go any farther reading the thread,i have a fretless,i don't play it(much) dif than my fretted bass but unless it's`hot country' stuff it's my go to bass with chromes aboard everybody who fondles her say `fantastic instrument',even 30 year guitar slingers who rarely ever grab a bass.,even for high distortion`black keys' type jams(chicken pickin),i actully use my fretted bass with half rounds when i play with mortals and just play bass lines,,,heehee

witch leaves me two trains of thought=one; the strings have a great tonal balance,easy to EQ when changing jonres,fun to play,seem to last forever,and`the fattest strings i can get' is over rated(using 45/100's)

in fact i wouldn't be in`strings' if i wasn't looking to make a change but it's not the bass with chromes!,she's a keeper,,have a great weekend