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Report: Balanced set of Chrome flatwounds

MaHei

MaHei

Dec 24, 2002
550
241
It really ties the room together.
#1
Since BSO now offers Invalid Link Removed, I decided to put together a balanced set. Following the tension chart from D'Addario , I got the following guages for a five string in standard tuning: .132 / .095 / .075 / .055 / .040 (all in the 35 - 38 lbs range).

So does it work? Yes, it does. The same benefits of using, say, a set of CircleK roundwounds apply here as well. Not only is the pull nicely uniform, also the sound is more even between the strings. My biggest concern was that the .095 E string would be wimpy, compared to the .105. It isn't, the sound is nice and full and I don't miss the extra girth.

The overall tension of the set is considerably lower than the standard set. Not quite TI territory, but somewhere in between TIs and a standard set of Chromes. Very comfortable!

So, for all those who are curious to try a balanced set of flats and happen to like Chromes: recommended.
 
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#2
Awesome! Bass Strings Online is killing it!

I've been getting into Chromes myself and was quite surprised at the feel. Much looser than I thought they would be..I expected to barely be able to bend them, but they actually feel quite nice!
 
#6
Victor Wooten's gauge with Fodera Nickel Rounds is also 40/55/75/95 on a 4. I go with 45/60/80/105, it's almost perfect with D'add Chromes. When I use their rounds, I go with a 110 E and a 145 B to tighten the bottom feel a bit more.
 
#10
The intonation is only an issue with tapered if the taper goes too far past the saddle, so you have to watch for that. I use aluminum spacers to adjust the length if needed.

What do you really like about the low B?
 
#11
I'm a big fan of Chromes. I always seem to go back to them. I might give this config a try. I can't seem to get along with exposed core or tapered strings, either, so the Chrome B works for me.

I find that the Chromes low B sits really well in a mix with the rest of the strings. It just feels right. It doesn't feel/sound like a four string set with a low B that sticks out compared to the other strings.

Thanks for helping spend my money. :D
 
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#12
bassmonkeee said:
I find that the Chromes low B sits really well in a mix with the rest of the strings. It just feels right. It doesn't feel/sound like a four string set with a low B that sticks out compared to the other strings.
Click to expand...

Same here. I find the low B retains enough of its overtones to not sound too muddy compared to the lighter strings.

Good point with the spacers, if you have the right bridge for that.
 
#17
Thread revival..

MaHei said:
Since BSO now offers Invalid Link Removed, I decided to put together a balanced set. Following the tension chart from D'Addario , I got the following guages for a five string in standard tuning: .132 / .095 / .075 / .055 / .040 (all in the 35 - 38 lbs range).

So does it work? Yes, it does. The same benefits of using, say, a set of CircleK roundwounds apply here as well. Not only is the pull nicely uniform, also the sound is more even between the strings. My biggest concern was that the .095 E string would be wimpy, compared to the .105. It isn't, the sound is nice and full and I don't miss the extra girth.

The overall tension of the set is considerably lower than the standard set. Not quite TI territory, but somewhere in between TIs and a standard set of Chromes. Very comfortable!

So, for all those who are curious to try a balanced set of flats and happen to like Chromes: recommended.
Click to expand...

Are you still rocking this balanced set? How did they work out over time as they broke in?
Very interesting idea you had here!
 
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#19
MaHei said:
Yes, still got the balanced Chromes on three of my basses with no intention of changing them anytime soon. They have aged very well. The zing is gone, but they retain quite a bit of mids, meaning they sound more balanced than thumpy. I don't think they will ever approach LaBellas, for that we have ... LaBellas.
Click to expand...

Thanks man, great to hear you're still happy with them.
These will be my next set after my Fatbeams die. Which may take a while the way they're holding up!
 
#20
I haven't used flats since long gone days of using them on a few of my guitars...
Want try try them on one of my basses now..
So... I'm running 5-Str Medium DR Sunbeam Nickel rounds on the bass I have in mind - .045 .065 .085 .105 .125
Do I stick with same/similar gauge for flats?
Any gotcha's ?
 

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