Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Recalled some buzz around chromes here and did a search. Read the threads, but I'm left with a question. I'm looking to find some strings to put on a bass with two single coils that will not sound like my 4003. Reading the threads, i get the feeling that chromes will not be the best choice?

The reason I ask is that, while it has flats on it now, before that I had Ricky rounds on it and it sounded too similar to my 4003.

Thanks.

Sometimes it's not the strings, it's the hands.

For what it's worth... I have Chromes on a Geddy J, a Rogue BeatleHo, and my 4001 and they all sound distinct ENOUGH. Every bass sound is gonna retain some of the inherent tones of the fingers that play it.

I have used Chromes on my 4003 and now have Rickenbacker/Maxima flats on it and they are two different animals. Chromes are brighter flats and especially with a pick can sound roundish.

How you set the tone controls on your bass and amp also has something to do with it too. Where you pluck/pick the strings affects the tone; also the fingers/hands, as Bob pointed out.

Thanks.

I think the lighter gauge Chromes sound better than the heavier ones.
What kind of bass is it Derek?
I have Chromes on both a Gibson Thunderbird and a Fender P bass and they sound very different from each other. I think they are a nice middle ground between thumpy flats and twangy RW's.

Thanks for that Bob. That middle ground sounds perfect I'll give 'em a try. (I'm talking about a Guild JS-II with Darkstar pickups.)

They're really nice strings especially for the money. that's a rare bass Derek, does it look like the regular Jetstars?

It looks like an EB-3 with no pickguard. Not really all that rare. Think there's a black one on Ebay now.

Those chromes are a really useful sound - between a flat and a round. I'm really pleased I read this thread!

Hmmmm... Im gonna try em on my V63

VRICKY63 wrote:Hmmmm... Im gonna try em on my V63

Chromes are all I ever had on my V63. They retain the Rick sound but without the earbleeding excess of some RWs!

i am looking at musician's friend website at chromes. there are several different sets of "chromes" with somewhat similar gauges. some are called "super soft",is that a different string? there are ecb84 (40-60-80-100),ecb81 (45-65-80-100),and ecb80 (40-60-75-95). what ones do ya'll like? i previously tried the 45-105 set on my 4000,and then on my 68 tele bass,and thought they were too too high tension and clangy sounding. does the "super soft" sound more like a traditional flatwound?

I use the Super Soft set and replace the .060 D string with a single .055. They do not sound like "traditional" flatwounds unless you roll off the tone control.

Ditto Jeff. I use the 45-100 on both the 4001 and the Jazz and you can get the "thump", but it's all in the technique. To me they're the best all-around string I've ever used.