chromes on my fretted Thumb, is this a good idea ?

artisan

artisan

Joined
Mar 8, 2006
Messages
149
Reaction score
0
anyone use Chromes on their Thumb bass,I'm thinking it will be a good combination,am i right ?
i play anything from blues to funk but no slapping & find the stock strings a little zingy sounding so just want to tame that while keeping that wonderful punch the Thumb gives.
i have actually ordered a set of chromes already in 0.45 - 0.65 - 0.80 - 1.00 gauges,did i do right.
cheers
 
I've had chromes on my dolphin for over a year now and I'm very happy with them.
While I don't have a Thumb, I tested sone strings on my friend's. I found my favorites on the thumb were Hi - beams, but chromes worked as well, but I felt they weren't doing any justice to the thumb. Even though I love chromes, I don't think I would keep flats on it. I didn't like nickel rounds on it at all btw.

Regarding the gauge, I normally use a lighter gauge in chromes as they are higher tension.
 
thanks Turxile,i am pretty uncertain on fitting them to my Thumb so maybe i won't :)
i had some vouchers to use at Thomann so the chromes were free really so i won't feel too bad if i don't use them,i can always sell them on,might check out some highbeams though.
cheers
 
Forgive me if this comes across as random, but I recently put on a set of D'Addario flatwound strings meant for the NS Omnibass/Bass Cello and they're the greatest flats I've ever heard. Balanced tension, pliable feel, and they almost roll like nylon strings but are 100% metal. They're expensive as hell but IMO they're one of those sets you leave on for 5 years.
 
thefitz said:
Forgive me if this comes across as random, but I recently put on a set of D'Addario flatwound strings meant for the NS Omnibass/Bass Cello and they're the greatest flats I've ever heard. Balanced tension, pliable feel, and they almost roll like nylon strings but are 100% metal. They're expensive as hell but IMO they're one of those sets you leave on for 5 years.
Click to expand...

i like random :D

i know where you are coming from with expensive strings after spending the last 2 years trying different strings on my double bass.
 
thefitz said:
Forgive me if this comes across as random, but I recently put on a set of D'Addario flatwound strings meant for the NS Omnibass/Bass Cello and they're the greatest flats I've ever heard. Balanced tension, pliable feel, and they almost roll like nylon strings but are 100% metal. They're expensive as hell but IMO they're one of those sets you leave on for 5 years.
Click to expand...

The D'Addario/NS strings are fantastic. I have them on my NS....I just donate some plasma when I need to change them.
 
`



I never heard of changing flats ....

[except on bicycles].
 
well my Chromes arrived this morning so were fitted during my lunch break & i am pretty impressed,my bass still sounds the a Thumb but now more focused without the zing.
so far so good but its early days yet.
 
artisan said:
well my Chromes arrived this morning so were fitted during my lunch break & i am pretty impressed,my bass still sounds the a Thumb but now more focused without the zing.
so far so good but its early days yet.
Click to expand...

They'll only get better ... 8:
 
`



tomb68 said:
Sometimes they break.
Click to expand...


So sad but true. Mine break BECAUSE they last forever.

Deal is ... they last so freakin long that I sometimes will
keep the strings longer than I keep the bass ! Thaz how
they finally get broken, as when I switch a set onto it's
3rd or 4th bass and the leader section just can't take all
that winding and unwinding anymore :-(
 
Tho I practise/play a few hourz each day (on da same bass), da last time I changed my Chromez is more than 2 yearz ago ... and then I did it only because I got a new set as a present for my b-day ...
 
`



da-vonk said:
Tho I practise/play a few hourz each day (on da same bass), da
last time I changed my Chromez is more than 2 yearz ago ... and
then I did it only because I got a new set as a present for my b-day ...
Click to expand...

For MY b-day, I'd rather get an OLD set !

I decided to try a new string type from LaBella
and so I bought a set. Now the problem is that
all my basses sound so good, and all have cool
nicely broken-in [or well aged] strings that I'm
unwilling to unstring ANY of them to put on my
new LaBella "white" nylons [actually "clear"] :-\
 
I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a flatwounds kinda guy. They just don't typically work for me. But I've tried Chromes on a few basses, and it is the best set of flats for non-flats loving people like myself. They have a great tone that I found punchy and even, without the dull thud I typically associate with flats. I would imagine they sound great on the Thumb, and would love to hear some sound clips when you get a chance!
 
TechJunky said:
I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a flatwounds kinda guy. They just don't typically work for me. But I've tried Chromes on a few basses, and it is the best set of flats for non-flats loving people like myself. They have a great tone that I found punchy and even, without the dull thud I typically associate with flats. I would imagine they sound great on the Thumb, and would love to hear some sound clips when you get a chance!
Click to expand...

they do indeed sound very good on the Thumb,it still sounds like it should but is now oh so clear & the do indeed notes have even more punch,i am over the moon with them :)
unfortunately i don't have anything with which to record any clips :( sorry
 
Another random note - Rotosound flatwounds may not feel as slick as Chromes but they're definitely the most present sounding flats out there. Also, Rotosounds fit Warwick 5-strings amazingly, I'm able to get a .140 there.

I don't know who's more stubborn - Warwick for making their tailpieces so thin, or string manufacturers (namely DR and D'Addario) making their strings so damn thick at the ball-end.
 
`



thefitz said:
Another random note - Rotosound flatwounds may not feel as slick as
Chromes but they're definitely the most present sounding flats out there.
Click to expand...

I got Roto flats on my fretted P-bass, so it actually sounds like a P-bass
[altho thaz not really necessary for my purposes]. Also got them on my
Vett $$ 4FL, cuz they were there when I bought it and they sound cool
enuf so why change them before they wear out [like 10 years from now].

I spoze I should point out that I consider flats to be natural, real bass
strings and rounds to be mutant alien special purpose strings. This view,
while not mainstream, is The Truth, born out by the photograph on the
back of every pack of Roto strings, the picture of Antwhistle meddling in
evil mysteries at the Roto works back when *real* bass strings were still
mainstream. Antwhistle is himself chieftain among mutant alien bassers.
Long may he rot !
 
thefitz said:
I don't know who's more stubborn - Warwick for making their tailpieces so thin, or string manufacturers (namely DR and D'Addario) making their strings so damn thick at the ball-end.
Click to expand...

Warwick should sell a CS hammer tool to flatten the strings. Already suggested this some years ago!
 
golem said:
I spoze I should point out that I consider flats to be natural, real bass
strings and rounds to be mutant alien special purpose strings. This view,
while not mainstream, is The Truth, born out by the photograph on the
back of every pack of Roto strings, the picture of Antwhistle meddling in
evil mysteries at the Roto works back when *real* bass strings were still
mainstream. Antwhistle is himself chieftain among mutant alien bassers.
Long may he rot !
Click to expand...

It's true, the electric bass was designed as a hybrid between an upright and a guitar. This "guitar family" thing a la Anthony Jackson is new devilry.

(It's called a Precision bass because it has frets - you're hitting the same note every time, unlike an upright)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top