D'Addario ECB81-5 Chromes XL Flatwound Bass Strings - Light Gauge 

Comments about D'Addario ECB81-5 Chromes XL Flatwound Bass Strings - Light Gauge:

They have a great sound expecially for flatwounds. With tone adjustment you can use these strings for about anything. Zero fret and finger wear. Last forever. FYI: On a Yahama 34" scale bass with bridge mount the length is perfect. On a 35" scale Schecter Diamond 5 with string through the length doesn't come close. Have to use the SL version.

Comments about D'Addario ECB81-5 Chromes XL Flatwound Bass Strings - Light Gauge:

B string broke during installation because string was too long and wrap wasn't strong enough to withstand tightening without failing.

Comments about D'Addario ECB81-5 Chromes XL Flatwound Bass Strings - Light Gauge:

Years ago, I had to buy two sets of 4 Bass strings and hand select the strings from regular and light gauge for my 5/6 string Basses. It is nearly the same price, but professional string manufacturers are far more capable of selecting the proper strings to be strung!

Comments about D'Addario ECB81-5 Chromes XL Flatwound Bass Strings - Light Gauge:

I got a 5 string set. When installing the B string, it broke. The other 4 went into the trash.

I will stick with the Tomastiks. In the long run they are very very inexpensive. My old Guild Pilot 5 string bass is going on 7 years with a set of tomastik.

One star is a bit much to give.

Comments about D'Addario ECB81-5 Chromes XL Flatwound Bass Strings - Light Gauge:

I've been playing round wounds for over 30yrs. These are my first set of flats. The tone is still very bright with the tone control dialed. Back off the treble, and you have the old school thump and warmth. The light gauge makes it possible to do some string bending while the flat winding allows for very quiet low action. The only down side is that I had to string through the bridge instead of through the body to avoid the silk windings from laying over the nut of my 34" scale bass. The long scale length should be another inch longer for my bass. I've read other reviews that say the same. Overall, I am pleased with the tone and look forward to doing a recording session in the near future.
I consider the price a good value compared the other brands I researched. Flats should last a long time. Many say that the older they get, the better!

Comments about D'Addario ECB81-5 Chromes XL Flatwound Bass Strings - Light Gauge:

About 5 months ago, I installed a new set of D'Addario XL Chromes (5 string, regular light gauge - .45 - .132) on a Traben bass with two humbuckers and active electronics. These strings have a deep full low-end tone that has adequate punch without being boomy or harsh sounding. On the middle pick-up setting (mix), these strings faithfully articulate the accents and dynamics of rhythmic runs. The tone is also exceptional on the upper registers - ideal for occasional solo work. The warmth and the depth of the instrument really comes out without being muddy or imprecise. Of course, the fact that they are flatwound makes them essentially noiseless (except when using the bridge pick-up setting).

I typically play as part of an ensemble that includes drums, piano, keyboard, and electric & acoustic guitars. The task I have in this setting is to complete the deep low end, support the rhythm, and provide a foundation for the harmony. I have found these strings very well suited for this role, and I'm purchasing another replacement set.

I would highly recommend these strings for anyone looking for this type of sound/application.

Comments about D'Addario ECB81-5 Chromes XL Flatwound Bass Strings - Light Gauge:

After trying many different brands of round wounds, I've been a long time DR Hi-Beams, Fat-Beams and Sun-Beams user/fan for different basses but, not so much now. Maybe, this Squire Jazz 5 w/Lindy Fralin pick-ups is just picky? But, these sound absolutely Amazing! Smooth, Phat & Deep with good clarity and great tone! I think Jamerson also! And, I love that thick, classic vintage sound. These are going to stay on this bass and, I'll just need to save up to get a Sadowsky to put some round-wounds on but, I might fall deeply in love till then. I've had a MIA 4-string Fender Jazz w/Fender Custom Shop 60's p/u's that sounded great with GHS Precision Flatwounds that sounded great together years back but, that great bass has nothing on these AMAZING, SMOOTH, RICH and, DEEP sounding Flatwound Strings! We'll see how they last. If it's at least 3-4 months I'll be very happy.

Comments about D'Addario ECB81-5 Chromes XL Flatwound Bass Strings - Light Gauge:

I purchased a set of the D'Addario ECB81-5 flatwound strings for my Fender American 5-string about a month ago. I do a lot of recording and I am oh so tired of re-doing passages because of unwanted string noise so I tried a set of these strings. Pros: They do take care of the string noise problems and they are easier on the fingers. Cons: They do not sound like a roundwound of course so if you are expecting that they should you will be mistaken. They do produce a lower thicker plunkier sound much like Jamerson's which has been mentioned already so if that is what you like these do that. What I noticed most is the loss of playability which may have come back over time. These are stiff and it is much more difficult to bend these. There was also an obvious tendency in faster passages for notes to drop out in the mix with these strings no matter how articulate you play. I read the reviews before I bought these strings that talk about these strings sustaining well. I didn't get that. While they do sustain some they do not compare in any way to other premium roundwound strings I've used. There is no right or wrong in choosing between flatwounds and roundwounds. It's all in what you like so I'm not bashing these strings but rather just reporting my experience in trying these. I would prefer to live with the string noise now and then for what I sacrificed with the flatwounds.

Comments about D'Addario ECB81-5 Chromes XL Flatwound Bass Strings - Light Gauge:

If you are tired of thin sound and want more depth to your sound, then consider these strings. Do not pass these up, they are very PHAT sounding. Lively in high,s but dry and detailed, very Jamerson-esqe! The string tension is not as high as Labella flats or Fender flats, Serious Vintage Tone! Good sustain and Thump! Bass tool of the pro,s!

Comments about D'Addario ECB81-5 Chromes XL Flatwound Bass Strings - Light Gauge:

These are the best flatwounds I've ever used. I use mine on my 5 string MM Bongo and the depth and range of tone is incredible. I'm not a big slapper, so it doesn't matter to me about losing the "twang" from the strings. Frankly, these strings make your bass sound like a bass. Plus our worship drummer thinks my bass is the best he's ever heard/played. That says a lot since he lives with bass player of his other band. Some of that credit goes to the strings.I've had these on my Bongo for over a year now and they still sound great (playing with clean hands and cleaning your strings helps. Never put your bass away "wet".) By now my Rotosound, Steve Harris, Monel flatwounds will have either broken at least one string (usually A) or lose their luster. But I have to admit, on my 4 string Sting-Ray they sound awesome. Anyway the D'Addario Chromes are the best flats available, period.