Garth Fielding on XL Chromes Flat Wound Bass Strings

Garth Fielding on XL Chromes Flat Wound Bass Strings
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[@daddarioandco]

Tapewounds would be slightly warmer and more mellow that our Chromes. Our Chromes can be rather bright for a flat wound string. Check the chart on our bass page - it's helpful from a visual standpoint - daddario (DOT) com (BACKSLASH) DADProductsBass (DOT) Page?ActiveID=1905

[@craigdamage]

Here is a wonderful thing about flatwound bass strings that I don't know if anyone has discovered yet...they make an Octave pedal sound AMAZING! Seriously. Your bass will track so much better and even on the lower notes with an Octave pedal and flatwound strings. Especially on a Jazz bass with the bridge P/U on full. Flatwounds absolutely ROCK Octave effects.

[@daddarioandco]

That's a bit of subjective. We have a bass in house that has had the same set of Chromes on it for over 2 years. Still sounds great but it is a distinctive sounds. Lots of players say they prefer them after they been broken in, if you will. So although they are a fairly bright flatwound, it will take some time for them to mellow but when they do - they sound oh, so wonderful!

[@markbass354]

Garth before I put on D'Addario Chromes 45 thru 100 I asked GC about half wounds , they laughed and said no one uses those , so I ordered chromes from Amazon for $26. The blueish satin around the chromes match my Lake Placid blue Fender bass and that made me very happy , even happier when I began to play chromes.

[@maxthebassplayer]

GC employees don't know anything about anything. I have two P-basses, one with flats, one with halfs, both D'addario. You can't go wrong with that sound.

[@gutbucket260]

@@maxthebassplayer Word. If you get any any advice from GC staff, do the opposite and you'll be fine.

[@maxthebassplayer]

gutbucket 😂😂😂 for real

[@JimDragonBass]

2:30 holy shIT that tone is amazing

[@valendis]

let's not forget the B-15 behind ;)

[@zx45zx]

1:50 sold em for me. what a punch

[@jagerking7020]

Best most versatile strings ever made. They really do it all and never die.

[@billiejoe9037]

Never discontinue these!!! These things are the best strings I've ever used!

[@videomaniac108]

These are the strings that I put on my Thunderbird bass and they really sound great. I'm running my bass into a Trace Elliot head with a tube preamp and then into a 2x10 cab that's tuned for a tight and well-controlled tone. With a scooped mid-range and rolled off treble over 5KHz and a moderate amount of HF compression, the sound is really nice. These chrome XLs are really smooth and quiet and allow me to work on my glissando technique well.

[@PANICBLADE]

I use them for metal and I STILL overwhelm my guitarist.

[@SplitHairz]

Finally!!!! A company (and player) that knows how to demo their products!!!

[@daveb40361]

D'Addario bass strings, whether flatwound or roundwound, are much better sounding and last longer than any GHS or Ernie Ball strings I've used. I use the flatwounds on my 1974 Rickenbacker 4001 and roundwounds on my 1986 G&L L2000E.

[@roundwound1966]

Hi everyone. For more on my great D'Addario and Ampegs visit my new website: www.garthfieding.net

[@Christophe_L]

Maybe you should do a series with old (eg 1 month old) strings. Most people (eg. not pros) won't be changing the strings very often unless they require that bright tone for their style and genre or indeed are pros. This would be a great buying guide for the amateur, which I suppose is the majority of your customer base. Also, you could do tests on different styles of basses, maybe add Jazz and Stingray styles.

[@Stringmeme]

The combined effort of the strings and his playing gave me the chills. What a great sound

[@daddarioandco]

Thanks for the kind words and glad to hear that the Chromes are working out for you!

[@Mr5stringBob]

Just put a set of these on my Jazz bass- which has been upgraded to Nordstrand p/ups and a Babicz bridge. Best tone I have gotten so far. Smooth, warm, punchy, even sound great slapping.

[@McDoinky]

Mr5stringBob I'm actually wondering if I should string my Chromes on my P Bass, which currently has Roto rounds and I love to death, or on a future J Bass which I'm planning to get soon. Does your J sound great for any genre?

[@TRJBASS]

Chromes are good strings....but that amp just may be helping a little with that great tone.;)

[@JACKSONPRYORBENNETT]

Depends how bright or how warm you want your sound to be. Warmer and easier on your fingers would be like medium gauge flatwounds, but brighter tone (that might tear your fingers up, at least until you develop calluses) would be steel strings, or Fodera's nickel strings. Keep in mind that when changing strings it's good to get your bass set up.

[@roundwound1966]

Absolutely. I will frequently use the 50-105 gage Chromes on my jazz to thicken up the sound of the single coil pickups. Listen to the first two Zeppelin records and hear an example of flats on a Jazz bass (and listen to pure magic John Paul Jones creates. He is one of the finest bass guitarists that ever lived.)

[@miserebear2113]

absolutely my favorite string of all time

[@timvanboening9432]

Put my first set of these on my bass last night. I have them paired with a SD QP pickup, and I still need to dial in the tone and height of the p/up. I’m getting some ghost notes when I pull off the lower string I mute as I’m finger playing. But I like the tone of the strings.

[@AlexRamosDrTaz]

I put a set of these about two years ago. Don't play gigs often anymore, but they do last longer than roundwounds. That isn't the reason I installed them, though. Was going for a Steve Harris tone, but of course sounds great for old school flatwound tones (including tic tac style with a pick). My set of Chromes still have a lot of sustain. I use your round wound XL's for my other basses (a 94 Fender P Bass special and 5 string Yamaha from 2001). Installed the Chromes on a 1987 Yamaha BB300.

[@PANICBLADE]

Just got my first set, and DAMN they feel MUCH better than the rounds I was using before. Everything I do takes much less effort. I can pick faster and cleaner with my fingers and thumb because of the smoother surface and I can move up and down the neck faster with less scratching or finger damage. All you hear is the note; how I mean it to sound. Surprisingly good for slap and more aggressive stuff too, just less obnoxious sounding. AND they'll last until they break with less fretwear. 10/10

[@Xcorgi]

I prefer flats because there is no raspy squeak when you slide up and down the frets but they really do have a much deeper tone. Well, at least the La Bella stainless steel I use on my Hofner 500/1. I just started this week with flats for the first time and there's no turning back It's actually just so much easier to play in general because without those irritating round winds, your fretting and sliding is not hindered in any way. Yes, I originally tried it because Paul McCartney uses them on his bass but now I'm going to put them on my Squier Classic Vibe 50's Reissue Telecaster bass. It already sounds incredible but I can't wait to hear how much improvement there will be on a Fender/Squier as opposed to my Hofner.

[@faceofthechange]

I put a set of chromes on my franken P (Fender MiJ '62 RI P body w/a maple Fender MiM P Neck) a few years ago, and they haven't left. I play mainly poppier (indie-pop/dream-pop) music, but i've run the gamut between musical theater and punk rock in the interim. The chromes handle everything fantastically, and continue to sound better as time goes on. Lots of mid range presence (for flats) years later. I love my chromes!

[@metalheadneji]

I love these flats; I've been using them for years.

[@oldskoollongboard]

Thank you for the video. It was nice to hear many different tones, including the foam-based sound. Working on purchasing my first bass...really liking the sound of the flatwound.

[@Jimmymillmo]

Yes this bass has had chromes on them for years, i was able to mend the issue, they sound amazing now, still wish i didn't have to deal with the hassle, it wasn't the pickups, it turns out the nut of the bass had gotten a chip in it, fixed that up and works great now, love the strings!

[@dgregory4178]

Well, you sold me. I ordered a set of these for my Fender American P. Just recently switched to flats and have a set of very expensive TI's on it now. Never thought I would say this about any string but they don't have enough tension.

[@drewbirston6980]

Such a great demo of these fabulous strings, well done Garth, tasty playing!

[@tgbluesky]

Great demo of the Chromes. I'd like to know more about tension. I have a '57 Pbass copy that doesn't do well with strings that have higher tension than TI flats. I don't know the numbers but if these are similar in tension I'd love to try them. Thanks.

[@kaedeschulz5422]

I just have put them on my fretless P and they sound amazing! Insanley bright for flat's. I can get from kinda a upright sound to very good Metal tones from them. I just don't like the slap sound on my fretless. Next time my fretted bass will get new strings i will put chromes on there to.

[@lilkris3008]

Got my first bass and a pack of these couldn’t be happier they feel and sound great

[@roundwound1966]

Hi Frans. The clicking you hear is my tone pot. It's a Tonestyler by Stellartone (passive tone pot with audiofile sound.) The bass is a 57 reissue. Good luck!

[@roundwound1966]

Hi Claudio. My friends at D'Addario are right but I happened to be on You Tube this evening! In this video I'm using a vintage wound P Bass pickup from Lollar. Vintage output+Chromes=vintage/versatile P Bass tone!

[@headknocker8999]

I love the tones I get with the Chromes.. That's the LOWDOWN..

[@JACKSONPRYORBENNETT]

I don't think you have to worry about any string killing your fingers if you've been playing for ten years, unless you use super heavy gauges and high action. I haven't tried Half Rounds myself but I have a set of Fodera Nickel strings on my bass right now and they definitely give me more of the sound I want, including clear harmonics and punchy midrange, clear highs, but the lows aren't as warm I don't think. Easily adjusted with a little EQ but I'm giving these flatwounds a try.

[@daddarioandco]

He does do some clinician work but he's also an active bass player and producer

[@BreakupBass]

i just put a set of 100-45 chromes on my Fender American standard P bass with Basslines quarter pounder p bass pickups. let me say this....WOW! ive been using medium gauge nickels for the longest time from ernie ball,ghs, and others. This is THE ONE for my bass. ill prob let them age on the bass for a long while.

[@jamesp5842]

great tone man! I've gotta use this video as a standard. its exactly the sound ive been searching for. Thanks for sharing

[@roundwound1966]

Hi Robert. My Pbass pickup in this vid is not stock, it's a Lollar which is a vintage wind and output. I like QP pickups for their muscular mids.

[@daddarioandco]

Claudio - Garth doesn't always have time to answer these questions. He does pop in an answer on occasion. We don't normally recommend pickups as that's not our area of expertise. If you haven't already - check Talkbass (DOT) com - there are a ton of great answers there, further to your question.

[@bentpolski]

They sound GREAT!

[@davidgoode7416]

Awesome!

[@MikaelBerglundBass]

Is it a mixed set? (45-105) Unfortunately the standard is 50-105 or 45-100.

[@michaelmarshall1713]

I love the tone he gets and assume that old bass is an old one? But the little Ampeg is helping as well and I have used all sorts of strings and I like my Thomastik flats but I have switched all my basses over to D,Addario brings both in round wound and half round and will put the chromes on all that I have flats on at the moment. These guys make the most perfect wound strings and having used almost all out there I am a D,Addario man now and would not use any other. Garth is very nice feel player love his sounds.

[@bayoubengal1961]

I've used rounds as far back as I can recall. I play in a variety band covering 5 different genres. I wanted to switch to a different string that would "fit" pop, country, Motown, oldies, classic rock, etc. After watching this video, I decided to take a chance and try a set of these chrome flats. (FYI, I play a Fender American Deluxe Jazz bass through a GK BH410 combo) Pros: they sound really great with all genres and have great punch Cons: Kinda feel "gummy" at first. Had to buy some Fast Fret but still sorta gummy after spraying them. All in all, I like them!

[@CountryFenderBass]

Just bought a new P Bass and I’m putting chromes on it now

[@whocaresofusername]

Why did the tone pot "click" so much when he turned it up at 1:50? Was that modified with a "Rotary Ten" control or something like that?

[@FransvandenBergeMuziekschuur]

I'm saving up for a classic 50's Precision. I will build in this tonepot too. But I allready have about 50 or 60 of those tonepots available in my stash. So thanks for the idea.

[@idolbass]

I consider my Fender Lyte Bass an average bass, but with Chrome Flats, it comes alive with tone.

[@roundwound1966]

The scale refers to the actual length of the neck. Each bass/neck length requires a specific length/scale of string.

[@roundwound1966]

Hi Borce. John Entwistle used steel roundwounds (try D'Addario Pro Steels) but these flats can get that punchy Ox tone when you dig in. Good luck!

[@dustoyevsky1]

45-105? Do you mix sets? The ECB82 Medium set is 50-75-85-105 and is the only set I see on the D'Aaddario web site that has a 105 string; all the others have a 100 E string. What are the details on that bass, please-- it reminds me of the early-80's USA Reissues, some of which were very nice Fender basses indeed. Thanks!

[@roundwound1966]

Hey there Spacey...I use foam from a few different sources. I use some for air conditioner packing and other packing materials. It's whatever works...some folks used foam cut from pillows (believe it or not.) Good luck and I hope that helps!

[@roundwound1966]

Hi Robert. Actually they're not stock. I'm using a Lollar pickup and a Tonestyler tone pot in my P. The Duncan QP is a good pickup...lots of bass and muscular midrange.

[@thecoolestdad]

I have these chromes flats on both of my basses. I have a Hofner violin copy and a P bass copy and I love the sound that these strings give me on these basses.I am going to put some Ernie Ball Cobalts on a third bass pretty soon just for variety.

[@rockersun]

cool.. i love flatwound too.. only discover the beauty of flatwound after playing the bass for more than 15 years..

[@Alleroc]

These are easily the best flats I have ever played. I have a custom fretless bass, and I have stuck with these strings since I first built it. There is no comparison from any other brand.

[@NormSpupsEntertainment]

2:31 My GOOOOOD!

[@ahhbart13]

Best Flats currently on the market. Hands down, tried thomastiks, roto sound, dr, Ghs, etc... Nothing like chromes.

[@Whiskel]

And on that subject: Why no 45-105?

[@kaedeschulz5422]

Whiskel on thomann you can get 45-65-85-105 as singles.

[@Whatisjazz3104]

Chromes 50-105's are the best-bright but warm. Stay with old style( black pack w/orange circle)-the new fender/chromesare TOTALLY DIFFERENT!

[@1964danielito]

what kind of equipment do you have? (amplifier, pedal effects, audio program, etc, etc)

[@daddarioandco]

Daniel - best to check out Garth's site directly - we're running him thru an older model Ampeg portaflex B18 in this video.

[@1964danielito]

thanks a lot

[@Bass.Player]

They sound really good with the tone rolled up, more definition.

[@roundwound1966]

The 50-105 have a "thicker" sound and if you're not used to this heavy string thickness it might take a little getting used to. They will however give you a bit more output and bottom end...experiment!

[@madmux5334]

Need help finding a tonally consistent set!! I like flats, have tried GHS Precisions and DR Low Beams; I like both, each their own character, but the E on both is noticeably different - GHS, the E is "thuddier" than A and D; DR, the E is "thinner, tinnier" than A and D. This is after they've been on a while and had time to settle in. Anybody know of a flat set that is consistent from E to A to D? LaBella? Rotosound? D'Addario Chromes? Thanks!

[@robertzeigler6035]

This was back when you could buy them for cheap. In fact, they were the cheapest flats on the market. Now in 2022 they are nearly $50 USD

[@fullmoon197]

ive been playing bass for almost 10 years now. my last bass i had the flat wounds on it last, but, they are warmer than i like. i want a mid range punchy tone. but a string that wont kill my fingers. ive actually been leaning towards the Half Rounds

[@roundwound1966]

Hi Mohammad. I used 50-105, which is a standard set of Chromes.

[@pinoyhellahoy]

I've used these for years, and its so good. Only down side is that it loses intonation over time... like in a year and a half

[@Karmaneoeric]

Got a Jazz and a P bass with those strings. Would not want it any other way.I was surprise how well they cut throught the mix, even after a year of abuse. If it were not for slapping, I would install them on my stingray as well. I play pop, jazz and hard rock.

[@bumpdunlop]

What kind of electronics do you have onboard that bass? It looks like a stock 57 reissue, but it's not.

[@paultraynorbsc627]

Wow what a punch great tone

[@roundwound1966]

It depends on what your tone is...but Chromes or Half Rounds would sound great. I would say yes to all those types of music as well.

[@TheSelfless1]

wow those things are quite sensational, and of coarse a very well versed guitar player as well

[@walbassist]

Unless the website lies, 45-105 isn't a standard set, you can either get 45/65/80/100 or 50/70/85/105.

[@MAGNETO-i1i]

2:30 - eargasm

[@roundwound1966]

No setup required when changing strings. However, if you substantially change the thickness of your gauges (going from 40-95 to 50-105 for instance) you may need to do a minor truss rod adjustment to handle the added tension. Otherwise change you D'Addario's to your heart and ears content : )

[@justmarc2015]

This just sounds like roundwounds with the tone rolled down. I can hear a lot of the brightness underneath. I wonder if they're more mellow in person, and not just through some headphones.

[@Yriel129]

I play metal and am considering these 'coz I seem to have trouble dialing up a focused, thick but not excessively oomph-y tone that cuts through without cranking treble too much. Although you'd think rounds are better for metal for the sharper tones you can get they can also have too much of everything, and flats feel super nice to play anyway. I want a super-middy, super-focused kind of a sound, a really "cold" tone as opposed to bass-based warm tones.

[@domagojoinky8262]

Steve Harris plays P bass with flats and he is the metal legend.

[@Radcaster]

These strings just sound like I'm hearing the bass from the room next door.

[@robgrabowski]

Cool I will experiment! Thanks again for the advice!

[@FransvandenBergeMuziekschuur]

By the way, I play thru a Dynacord BA300. A tube amp from the '78 I believe. Quite cool amp too.

[@andreamorellizz]

this precision is a classic 50 mim or vintage 57 USA??...i have a set of chromes from 2005...!sometime i put on and sound great like a first day...incredible!

[@WhiteMexicanBassist]

My go-to strings on my Pedulla fretless

[@FransvandenBergeMuziekschuur]

Garth, I hear clicks as you used the rear potmeter/knob... Did you modify the electronics of this bass? What Precision is this by the way?

[@niwdeeel]

Do these strings mellow out after some time? I wanna achieve that old school "thurnk" sound more :D

[@GuitarBassCigar]

In switching to these strings on a Fender P, do you find you need to adjust the truss and/or the neck relief as they may have higher tension? Also, replacing the tone pot with that Stellartone piece as you've done may be my plan when I get my new bass. That thing has a nice tone sweep across the range.

[@daddarioandco]

CD - that would have much to do with what you had on your bass previously. Brand to brand, tension can vary, that's part of the reason we put the tension ratings on our packaging.

[@MuscleDad420]

Is Mr. Fielding available to comment on the rotary switch installed in that P-Bass? Is it one of those Varitone devices I've seen on eBay? Sounds brilliant.

[@daddarioandco]

It might be best to reach out to Garth thru his website. He only comes by our factory a few times each year.

[@stayalivesweetheart]

I was also wondering about the tone pots on the Pbass LOL

[@dekkes1]

+MuscleDad420 I think this is the stellartone ToneStyler... check it out on their website!

[@roundwound1966]

Hi Stephen. I would try the Chromes, or for a bit more brightness the halfrounds.

[@a.card.o]

does this strings make my fretless bass board waste slower right? this strings are for fretless bass?

[@Jimmymillmo]

On my last 2 sets of these strings, i get a really odd sound from my Open E and open A strings, like a weird wavy sound. These are on a fender precision bass, why is this?

[@robgrabowski]

One more question if you don't mind: What is the difference between short, medium, long scale strings? Thanks.

[@TimKolke]

I learned the little riff you play at 1:33 thanks ;)

[@kevinturvey8213]

amazing range of sounds from a classy and skillful player!

[@AbramRVille]

Are these strings good for a fretless bass? I play rock, funk and reggae most of the time. I want to know if these would be suitable for my genres?

[@Dominik-bass]

What kind of tone control is he using? Nice demo of chrome flats, gotta try these.

[@Daver869]

Are the regular chromes long scale fine for a bass that had 35" scale length? Or should I get the super long scale?

[@danieldulchevsky]

idk bout chromes but for their XL and EXP sets, the regular long scale didn't fit my 35" schecter. Had to get the super long scale

[@fullmoon197]

im trying to decide what strings to get for my new bass. its a 3rd party MusicMan Stingray clone. i want really good tone but i dont want to destroy my fingers what should i get?