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?

was thinking those or the ken smith slick rounds

Quote from: drewphishes on March 10, 2018, 09:27:36 AM
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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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

Quote from: drewphishes on March 10, 2018, 11:42:46 AM
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.

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.

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

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.

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

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!

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