Lifetime expectation for d'Addario chromes

[Jay2U]

Hi,

I'm quite addicted to d'Addario flatwound chromes. They sound well and affect my playing in a positive way. There appears to be one drawback. They die after about two months. So about 60 days under tension and just over 100 hours of playing appear to be enough to suck the life out of them. My hands are as dry as Death Valley, so that isn't the cause. I clean them regularly with alcohol, I don't slap them (who does slap flats anyway), I'm like a father to them. This is the third set which passes away. Restringing and tuning is not the problem, 15 minutes, that's all. The price of a set, that's worrying me. About $50!!!
Is there a good, equally sounding alternative, apart from Rotosound 66's, which I took off within 24 hours?

 

[turbo chicken]

where are you buying your strings?? eek

I had a set of chromes that were played on minimum 10 hours a week for about a year and half ... perhaps i like dead strings though...

i do know mine mellowed out a lot after a few months... though... seems you like your chromes fresh

 

[seinzumtode]

My Mexican P bass had some Chromes one them for three years before the G string broke.

 

[stflbn]

They're not going to keep the sound like they have when new. THat's just not going to happen. I think when you're feeling they're worn out, they are just getting to where most others feel they're right, which is still brighter than almost all other flats.

 

[Jay2U]

They're not going to keep the sound like they have when new. THat's just not going to happen. I think when you're feeling they're worn out, they are just getting to where most others feel they're right, which is still brighter than almost all other flats.

Maybe. I can live with a little less high, no problem. The sustain becomes notably less.

 

[stflbn]

" compressor "

 

[seanm]

I really don't know. The oldest chromes I have are only 3-4 years old

 

[hdracer]

I don't even like Chromes until the have a couple of years on them. Way to bright for me. I have one set that is about 2 years old and they are just starting to break in.

 

[chuck norriss]

Maybe halfrounds would suit you? $25 or >.

 

[Eublet]

They're not going to keep the sound like they have when new. THat's just not going to happen. I think when you're feeling they're worn out, they are just getting to where most others feel they're right, which is still brighter than almost all other flats.

+1 The Chromes come out of the package not really sounding like typical flats at all to me. I like that tone also, but that little bit of zing goes away quickly and they settle into flatwound goodness that should last for years and years as long as you aren't leaving your bass out in the weather.

If you want more zing over a period of time, you really should get something besides Chromes. The D'addario Halfrounds sound more like what you would want. They're a good bit brighter than Chromes when the first come out, but the settle in to somehwere near where the Chromes are when new. They aren't nearly as smooth feeling as the Chromes. In fact, that can seem to "grab" your fingers at times until you get used to them. Might be worth a try for you though.

 

[Jay2U]

Maybe halfrounds would suit you? $25 or >.

I tried them already. A little too floppy and missing the fundamental low end.

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

You may be feeling they "Die" when really they are probably just getting "Broken in"

You may want to try some other string cleaners...

Or find a place that sells them to where you can get about 2 for the price of 1 of what you were paying before...

 

[Pilgrim]

Average life expectancy of flats is about 10-15 years.

They don't sound right for the first few months, but once they've settled in they're good for at least a decade if they don't break.

My oldest set has been on my P-bass since 1972.

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

And hey... there are some people who like the sound of new flats and change them once they break in too!

 

[iamdenialNJ]

My chromes have been good to me for the past 3 years. Love 'em

 

[godblender]

+1 to Chromes. I'd never used flats until earlier this year, and while not what I use on my G&L L2000, on P basses they rule. The feel is better than any string I've ever tried.

The "dying" of the chromes, I think, is exactly what so many people like flats for...broken in if you will.

 

[Russell L]

Love my new Chromes (first set for me). If they lose some highs, it'll be ok. I play with my nails anyway. I find them to also have a higher tension than the 7250 nickel rounds I had on. Lowered my action and have been enjoying the new feel and sounds.

 

[bassnat]

Chromes are the strings I have ever played since my first gig, May 1972.

 

[FretlessMainly]

The price of a set, that's worrying me. About $50!!!

I don't know where you're buying yours, but Juststrings.com sells four-string sets for half of that.

 

[Jay2U]

I don't know where you're buying yours, but Juststrings.com sells four-string sets for half of that.

Now that's a bargain! I don't expect them to ship those accross the Atlantic for that price. A quick survey on this side of the water resulted in a best price of some $35.