chromes on my epic, yay or nay?

[drewphishes]

Hey guys,
I got an epic recently.  Love it. problem is now I want more alembics...

Anyway I was looking for a less bright round and put GHS pressurewounds on it but its still to bright for me, not getting that thump I seek.

TI flats were to floppy and not bright enough

I am thinking chromes will be perfect.  nice thump, good pop when I slap them (at least on my p bass) and since the bass is a bit zingy and trebly to begin with I think it will be perfect.

Anyone have any experience with this combination?

[drewphishes]

was thinking those or the ken smith slick rounds

[edwardofhuncote]

Hey guys,
I got an epic recently.  Love it. problem is now I want more alembics...

It happens... and I guarantee it'll happen more if you hang around here.  .

Chromes are okay. I have them on both of my fretless Alembics right now, and have no complaints sound-wise, but I actually prefer the softer feel of the TI's... I'm giving the D'Addarios a sportin' chance but will most likely go back to the Thomastiks eventually.

Try some other flats too. I've been through Dunlops, Pyramids, and D'Addarios so far.

[growlypants]

Hey, I'm a Chromes guy, myself.  (I've got a Mark King Sig Deluxe 5-er...)  Perhaps it's the characteristics of this particular bass, but it's always had a TON more treble than I can use, so for me, Chromes are perfect.

[hieronymous]

As I'm sure you're aware, Chromes definitely start out more bright than other flatwounds, but not in the same way as rounds. I had Chromes on my Stanley Clarke bass and it definitely worked! (I've since switched to LaBella nickel rounds on that bass.) I find Chromes to be relatively high tension, though it depends on gauge as well. You basically have to experiment but at least Chromes aren't that expensive.


I use LaBella flatwounds on my Guild fretless & Gibson Les Paul Triumph, pretty much all thump with no zing

[drewphishes]

yes I have chromes on a p bass and love it, I just threw the TI flats on the alembic and cant vibe with it, however it is making me re think the switch to chromes as the pressurewounds have a nice growl to them and a nice snap with slap!  ahh decisions!

[jwright9]

Drew, you really need to try them for yourself to know for sure. No amount of opinions will compare with actually trying them for yourself.

[drewphishes]

Yes I Know, just wondering if anyones had experience before I try.  I just had the bass setup and nut filed for the current gauge strings in there, so not just an easy switch prob will need a setup again so just trying to get any info before I take it back to the tech for a change out

[adriaan]

Yes I Know, just wondering if anyones had experience before I try.  I just had the bass setup and nut filed for the current gauge strings in there, so not just an easy switch prob will need a setup again so just trying to get any info before I take it back to the tech for a change out

I can see how you want to take it to a tech to have the nut and saddles filed. Any other setup change you can do yourself. Just follow Joey's instructions by the letter.

[keith_h]

I use Chromes on my fretless Orion because of their brightness. As you've seen on your Precision they can get a decent slap tone. Like Harry they are a pretty high tension string to me but that doesn't bother as much as it would on a fretted bass.

As I suggested in your other thread you might want to try a ground round wound the GHS version is their Brite Flats. I have been using them on my Jazz Bass since the late 70's. The are not as bright as the pressure wounds but I like the slap and pop.

One suggestion I have is since you are hunting for strings don't worry about the bass setup. It really won't make a big difference in evaluating the strings themselves and will save you some money if you are going to pay someone else to do the setup. Once you've settled on a string then I would look at getting everything setup to you liking.

[adriaan]

BTW, seeing that brightness is an issue - you know that the Treble knob offers more cut than boost?

[lembic76450]

I found Chromes to be very exhausting on my Epic, though that may have been
more of a set up issue.  The tension really wore me out.  I switched to TI Flats and
never looked back.

[drewphishes]

Anyone have any sound samples or
Recordings with chromes and alembic pickuops?

[hieronymous]

I'm 95% sure this is Chromes - it's my 5-string Stanley Clarke strung EADGC through Alembic F-2B preamp, but I had too much bridge pickup so later I put it through my Alembic SF-2 to emphasize the low end. Played with pick.

https://soundcloud.com/hieronymous-seven/initial-android-avarice

This is my Alembicized Telecaster Bass - strung with chromes, split-coil P-Bass Activator, played slap with the filter all the way open with the built-in Q boost (+8?), through another Alembic F-2B preamp.

https://soundcloud.com/hieronymous-seven/8b4x4

I think that's all I've got!

[drewphishes]

thanks dude! great samples.  I think everyone is right, I am gonna have to try it out and then if I like it get it set up again