Similar to chromes

[perkjos]

I love the punchy, snappy tone of chromes but I hate how tacky they feel. My fingers don't roll off the strings as well as I would like them to. Are there any flats that sound similar to chromes but have a less tacky feel?

 

[donk]

You might try the white tape Labella flats.

 

[mmbongo]

GHS Pressurewounds may be worth a shot. They are not flats, but they sound similar to Chromes. They are flattened roundwounds so they are not grabby like flats because the windings don't have sharp edges.

 

[ZenG]

I'm wondering why your Chromes feel tacky......I've never experienced that on any Chromes I've ever bought...

 

[shawshank72]

I'm wondering why your Chromes feel tacky......I've never experienced that on any Chromes I've ever bought...

Try cleaning them before you install them.
Most strings are like this to start.

 

[perkjos]

Try cleaning them before you install them.
Most strings are like this to start.

What would you recommend for cleaning? Just regular string cleaning solution?

 

[perkjos]

I'm wondering why your Chromes feel tacky......I've never experienced that on any Chromes I've ever bought...

Interesting. It could be that I've only been using them for about six months after using various types of nickel rounds which are the least tacky strings if all, IMO.

 

[sonicnuance]

You might try wiping with rubbing alcohol (when the strings are off your instrument!).

I found Ernie Ball flatwounds to be very similar to the Chromes, but I believe they were smoother to the touch.

good luck!

 

[shawshank72]

What would you recommend for cleaning? Just regular string cleaning solution?

I use alcohol napkins.
Then wipe with a paper towel till no black colour is coming off anymore.

 

[michael_t]

Try cleaning them before you install them.
Most strings are like this to start.

What would you recommend for cleaning? Just regular string cleaning solution?

All I've had to do is to take a piece of soft, dry cloth and wipe them down real good BEFORE INSTALLATION in order to make sure there is no residue of the compound used for the final polishing at the factory. If you notice your finger tips are turning black after playing on them, that's what it is.

 

[perkjos]

You might try wiping with rubbing alcohol (when the strings are off your instrument!).

I found Ernie Ball flatwounds to be very similar to the Chromes, but I believe they were smoother to the touch.

good luck!

The cobalts or regular ones? Some have said that the cobalts also have a tacky feel.

 

[Frankjohnson]

I'm wondering why your Chromes feel tacky......I've never experienced that on any Chromes I've ever bought...

EVERY set of Chromes I ever used were tacky/sticky out of the package. I use lemon oil, and wipe them down while installed, extra oil gets rubbed into the rosewood board - leave overnight and wipe down strings to remove excess. it (for me) speeds up break in too. I have done this for about ten years - and have never had any issues. I usually go about 3-4 years on these strings. I just sold the last bass I had with chromes, and they are 4 years old. new owner liked them and said he intended to see how many more he could get out of them.

YMMV -

 

[iiipopes]

Regular EB Slinkys have a slightly different characteristic than Chromes. If you know what new Chromes sound like, then take off the zing and add a touch of growl. That's what EB Slinky - conventional stainless flats sound like. If you want to go more "hollow," go with GHS Precision flats.

La Bella flats are also very neutral - again, take the zing out of the Chromes, but retain good sustain without thud, and that 's what La Bella's sound like.

 

[sonicnuance]

The cobalts or regular ones? Some have said that the cobalts also have a tacky feel.

These were the regular. I have never tried the Cobalts.