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Is This Normal For Chromes?

Wolfhound32

Wolfhound32

Sep 10, 2013
1,072
3,106
WA State
#1
New to flats and I've began looking for a set I like best.

Bought two sets of Chromes (45 - 100) for my P-bass, and both sets had an E string where the wraps are separated at various spots along the string. The first set I noticed once installed, the second I could see it before installation:

ChromesE2.jpeg


ChromesE1.jpeg


Next I installed a set of Fender 9050 flats and those wraps were nice and tight... I liked the Chromes better, but I can not believe these gaps are normal; two sets in a row with the same 'problem'?

So, Chromes users-- whatcha think? This normal?
 
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#5
StevieMac said:
I cant say I have ever looked at a string that closely. How do they sound? If they sound good is it really a problem?
Click to expand...
After installation I could feel something was different around the 5th fret and that's when I took a closer look (thought it might have been dirt, buffing compound, or something).

Sound wise, there was a very noticeable volume difference between the E and the other three. The others were nice and strong, and the E was dead sounding. Raised the pickup on the E side, lowered the others to compensate, but it sounded much weaker than the others. Fretted notes on the E string sustained half as long as the other three.

The Fender 9050 set is pretty even, with the whole set being noticeable louder than the Chromes which I didn't expect. Honestly expected the Fender's would be very close to the Chromes... what with all the rumors about D'Addario being the supplier of Fender strings.

 
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#6
Wolfhound32 said:
After installation I could feel something was different around the 5th fret and that's when I took a closer look (thought it might have been dirt, buffing compound, or something).

Sound wise, there was a very noticeable volume difference between the E and the other three. The others were nice and strong, and the E was dead sounding. Raised the pickup on the E side, lowered the others to compensate, but it sounded much weaker than the others. Fretted notes on the E string sustained half as long as the other three.

The Fender 9050 set is pretty even, with the whole set being noticeable louder than the Chromes which I didn't expect. Honestly expected the Fender's would be very close to the Chromes... what with all the rumors about D'Addario being the supplier of Fender strings.
Click to expand...
Interesting, I've never had any volume inconsistency with chrome.

Cant hurt to get in touch with d'addario.
 
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#7
Wolfhound32 said:
The Fender 9050 set is pretty even, with the whole set being noticeable louder than the Chromes which I didn't expect. Honestly expected the Fender's would be very close to the Chromes... what with all the rumors about D'Addario being the supplier of Fender strings.
Click to expand...

Fender-branded strings are in fact made by D'Addario, although to different specs.

That said, there shouldn't be such a noticeable volume difference between the Chromes and the 9050s as they're both stainless steel flatwound. Something's not right with that E string.
 
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#9
D'addario does mess up sometimes. They make a LOT of strings. It happens. They also stand behind their products. You'll be taken care of, but take those pics, or the link to this thread, and send it to them.

They are the strings I've used the longest (not Chromes, but nickel wounds, steel wound, and on guitar I often use their nickel wounds, I guess you could say rounds for all or wounds, roundwounds? you know what I mean...).
 
Last edited:
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#10
dkelley said:
D'addario does mess up sometimes. They make a LOT of strings. It happens. They also stand behind their products. You'll be taken care of, but take those pics, or the link to this thread, and send it to them.

They are the strings I've used the longest (not Chromes, but nickel wounds, steel wound, and on guitar I often use their nickel wounds).
Click to expand...
Mistakes happen. I'm not at all upset, just trying to confirm my suspicion that the gaps in the string are not normal. These were my first set of flats, so it's new territory ;)
 
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#12
Wolfhound32 said:
Mistakes happen. I'm not at all upset, just trying to confirm my suspicion that the gaps in the string are not normal. These were my first set of flats, so it's new territory ;)
Click to expand...
Yea totally. What concerned me is when you said you first noticed it because it felt different around 5th fret. If youcan hear it or feel it then it's a problem.
 
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#14
Wolfhound32 said:
New to flats and I've began looking for a set I like best.

Bought two sets of Chromes (45 - 100) for my P-bass, and both sets had an E string where the wraps are separated at various spots along the string. The first set I noticed once installed, the second I could see it before installation:

View attachment 4261404

View attachment 4261405

Next I installed a set of Fender 9050 flats and those wraps were nice and tight... I liked the Chromes better, but I can not believe these gaps are normal; two sets in a row with the same 'problem'?

So, Chromes users-- whatcha think? This normal?
Click to expand...

Just send an email to Daddario.
 
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#19
Wound strings are intentionally made so that the stiffness comes from the core wire. Fot that to hold true, the wndings need to have space between them. It may not be visible, but the gaps need to be there. If they aren't, then vibration wise you have a solid string, whick will sound pretty bad - harmonics out of tune, etc. Uneven gaps aren't that bad, so long as none of them go to zero, or the winding is so loose that it rattles.
 
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