Got A Set Of D'Addario Chromes

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 8:24 pm

I finally put a set of D'Addario Chromes on my '75 4001FL. This a really nice set of strings. I was expecting a mellow and polite sound. These strings have a pretty good bite to them and have quite a bit of output, I wasn't expecting that. The don't quite have the roundwound zing to them, but their performance might even raise Jeff Rath's eyebrows.
Nice blue silk wrap:

I'm not used to the feel yet. I haven't used flats in many years. I'm used to the rough feel of roundwounds, but I 'm playing them a lot so I think I'll get used to them quickly. I'm getting a nice growly mwah sound with these strings on this bass. The super soft gauge .040 - .095 seems to be fine on this bass, I haven't had to make any truss rod adjustment. I'll see how it is in a day or so.
She seems happy that her fingerboard isn't getting roughed up anymore.

zoomduck · Post by **zoomduck** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 9:37 pm

That is one Pretty instrument ! .......... I use Chromes on a couple of basses.....very nice.........enjoy !

apollo11 · Post by **apollo11** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 2:04 am

Chromes are the flats that sound most like rounds, imo. Loud, trebly bite to them. Great feel.

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 2:07 am

Joey, Chromes are the flats of my choice as well. Great strings.

jps · Post by **jps** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 3:24 am

Nice to see you like them, Joey!

Even Brian Crisman tried them finally and has been so head over heels about them he hasn't had time to post since.

Well, there are other reasons, too, but this is as good as any!

jdogric12 · Post by **jdogric12** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 4:05 am

I loved the RIC fretless strings, but they quit making them. I haven't found anything exactly the same, despite numerous suggestions. Currently putting up with Rotosound nylon tape wound strings. They are close but no cigar.

kidvett · Post by **kidvett** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 4:45 am

I tried a set of 50-105 Chromes on my P bass. I had to do truss rod adjustments and the E & G strings ``died`` after 2 weeks. I was not impressed....But the many good reviews I read on these, I believe I got a bad set and will try them again in 45-105. They have a nice mellow tone...

I'm a bit scared on trying these on the Ric's as they ``warped`` the P bass neck. High tension ?? or again a bad set of strings....

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 8:29 am

Chromes are not high tension - medium if even that. One suggestion is to insure when puting on a string that it does not get twisted while loading it into the tuner head, but lies straight and untwisted from the eyelet to the tuner head. If there is a twist, the string cannot vibrate correctly and will sound dull or dead.

I have Chromes on my 4004C and I really like the feel and tone. Welcome aboard, Joey!

rickfan63 · Post by **rickfan63** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 12:21 pm

I use the 45-100 set and I've never had a problem at all. Chromes are the most consistant brand of flats I've ever played.

edski · Post by **edski** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 1:19 pm

I think that flats go through a break in like RW's - they start off relatively bright, then as they age get the "meaty beaty big and bouncy" quality.

Last time I put flats on my 4001 I was amazed how bright they sounded. Of course that was compared to the 3 or 4 year old strings (flats) they replaced.

beatlefan · Post by **beatlefan** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 1:27 pm

Ahhhh....another convert, perhaps??

It's all I use now....on my V63, my '06 4003 and my '67 4005. The best of both worlds IMHO. You get that "trebly" sound and nice smooth strings!
Welcome!

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 3:33 pm

I may be somewhat converted Chris, at least on fretless basses anyway. I couldn't wait to come home and play my 4001FL. It's almost like I just got a new Rick. I'm thinking of getting a set of .100 - .045 Chromes for my Monty Brown 4003FL.

jps · Post by **jps** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 4:08 pm

"I tried a set of 50-105 Chromes"

Your problem was most like related to the heavy gauge you tried. Tension is related to string gauge among other things.

kidvett · Post by **kidvett** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 4:44 pm

Jps,
Thanks for the input. I guess I know now !! Tension problems seems to come to me...see my other post with my new 4003 ( a 1992 ) with bridge lift problems !!

Back a few months I wanted ``flats`` to put on the P bass as band members wanted a ``mellow`` sound on that one. Only flats the store had were those 50-105 chromes...Since then I've tried a few strings and settled on DR Hi Beams 45-105. Next set of flats I'll get will also be 45-105 and I'll give Chromes a second try....

jps · Post by **jps** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 6:19 pm

Try the 40-95 set; in general, flats have higher tension vs. rounds for the same gauge, so the lighter set may give you the feel you want without the extra tension.