ambient Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 What's the tension like on these? I'm looking for a set of flats similar in sound and feel to Thomastik which I love. They're for a 7 string bass. I've been offered a set of Chromes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 Chromes are at the stiff feeling end of things, for a given gauge. I wouldn't describe them as similar to Thomastiks in many ways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 Nothing like TI strings at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted May 4, 2017 Author Share Posted May 4, 2017 Thanks, didn't think so. Also the string they're offering as a high F is a 0.32 which I don't think will tune to an F, I've used that gauge as a high C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 If Thomastik can't make you a custom set, I've heard La Bella are very accommodating to putting custom sets together for people and they make a low tension flat which is probably the closest you'll see to TIs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted May 4, 2017 Author Share Posted May 4, 2017 [quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1493906036' post='3291715'] If Thomastik can't make you a custom set, I've heard La Bella are very accommodating to putting custom sets together for people and they make a low tension flat which is probably the closest you'll see to TIs. [/quote] Thanks, I've emailed Thomastik, I'll email LaBella too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twincam Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 As said chromes are a bit stiff. Great for getting a super low action though. I thought they also dulled a bit too quickly. Some may like that however. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 The new Ernie Ball Cobalts are very compliant but I'm not sure you'd get a 7 string set.... G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted May 4, 2017 Author Share Posted May 4, 2017 [quote name='geoffbyrne' timestamp='1493910492' post='3291780'] The new Ernie Ball Cobalts are very compliant but I'm not sure you'd get a 7 string set.... G. [/quote] That's the problem, plenty of flat wound strings being made, but the high F is the problem. There's no problem with round wound strings at all. I've even tried a flat wound guitar string, but it wasn't long enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 [quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1493907467' post='3291738'] As said chromes are a bit stiff. Great for getting a super low action though. I thought they also dulled a bit too quickly. Some may like that however. [/quote] They do lose the initial zing quite quickly, but then settle down nicely and don't get to being really dull for a long while. As regards stiffness, I find them softer than La Bellas for a given gauge. I use LBs on my P bass and Chromes on my Jazz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 [quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1493906036' post='3291715'] If Thomastik can't make you a custom set, I've heard La Bella are very accommodating to putting custom sets together for people and they make a low tension flat which is probably the closest you'll see to TIs. [/quote] I was disappointed to get a stock response from them last year regarding sets of five DBEs. No opportunity to [s]bribe someone[/s] sensibly discuss custom options was presented. Even though they do flat DBEs in sets of four they explicitly say their strings are not suitable for Spirit guitars (five). I think, for my request, it was a production issue with the DBE low B even though there were no lines to read between - just a polite rejection. You may well do okay. I hear good things about their strings by and large. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natjag Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 I have some D'addario chromes I took off my bass. I thought the tension was quite tough. Not the worst I've encountered, that award from me goes to Rotosounds. I recently tried a bass with Fender flats on, the tension was just like round wounds to me. I've not tried TI for comparison. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 I had Tis on my bass for a few years & loved them. Snapped the D string! I couldn't get a single D string. Replaced them with D'addario Chromes & they're a much brighter string, but still really good. After a bit of playing, they become really comfortable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 I find Chromes to be very close in tension to D'Addario nickel round wounds of the same gauge. I have changed several basses from the rounds to the flats recently, and they each required a slight tightening of the truss rod to achieve the same relief. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulhauser Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 [quote name='ambient' timestamp='1493911227' post='3291782'] That's the problem, plenty of flat wound strings being made, but the high F is the problem. [/quote] What's the gauge you are looking for as a high F? I always used 0.020 and can't remember I ever came upon a wound one, only plain steel ones. I don't think anyone makes wound strings near 0.020, flat or roundwound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted May 4, 2017 Author Share Posted May 4, 2017 [quote name='Paulhauser' timestamp='1493931322' post='3292008'] What's the gauge you are looking for as a high F? I always used 0.020 and can't remember I ever came upon a wound one, only plain steel ones. I don't think anyone makes wound strings near 0.020, flat or roundwound. [/quote] I'm using D'Addario nickels, I think it's currently a .024. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulhauser Posted May 5, 2017 Share Posted May 5, 2017 [quote name='ambient' timestamp='1493933098' post='3292024'] I'm using D'Addario nickels, I think it's currently a .024. [/quote] Valueable info, I just went to D'Addario's site and found that they indeed do .028 and .024 wound bass strings (single strings). I wasn't aware of these. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonic_Groove Posted May 8, 2017 Share Posted May 8, 2017 [quote name='Paulhauser' timestamp='1493966407' post='3292139'] Valueable info, I just went to D'Addario's site and found that they indeed do .028 and .024 wound bass strings (single strings). I wasn't aware of these. Thanks! [/quote] Paul, Status do a .020 (& .025) roundwound as a single in the custom set section a their site.. Brendan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted May 8, 2017 Share Posted May 8, 2017 This thread has got me thinking about new strings. Just checked and my chromes have been on for nearly two years! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dapper Bandit Posted May 9, 2017 Share Posted May 9, 2017 I've got a set on my fretless that do the job just fine, I used the d'addario tension charts to put together a set from Strings Direct and I was delighted to find that they were exactly as promised tension wise. I did have to go down a couple of gauges compared to my preference in roundwounds so I would definitely check out the tension calculator that d'addario has before buying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.