How do you decide when D'Addario Chromes need to be replaced?

[phcorrigan]

I have D'Addario Chromes on my Gretsch 5420, and I keep thinking I should replace them, but after several months I don't hear a reason to do so. Part of that may be that my hearing no longer goes above 8 KHz, and maybe I've just gotten used to the current sound.

Any opinions from Chrome users?

[rmp]

I don't think you are missing anything really

IME.. flatwounds last a long time without loosing a lot of tone

the only way you'll know is to change em!! .

[FrankHudson]

I don't think flats get as much stuff from your hands in the windings as conventional strings. The other thing is that flats wound strings sound in some respects like "old strings" from day one. If you don't have outright corrosion and the tune up and play in tune you aren't loosing some upper end sparkle on the wound strings that isn't there with flats anyway.

On bass, I've used a set of flats for years. Different instrument, different role, but still. Hand chemistry and cleanliness varies of course, as does how one plays, so YMMV.

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by rmp

...IME flatwounds last a long time without losing a lot of tone...

Originally Posted by FrankHudson

...On bass, I've used a set of flats for years..

Been playing bass for 45 years, and flats (D'Addario, LaBella, Rotosound, Pyramid) are the only strings I've ever used; got a LaBella "Jamerson" 52-110 set on my Pedulla P/J that I installed in 2010 - still sound crisp and punchy, with both the metallic "ping" characteristic of new strings and the low-end rumble of their legendary Motown namesake, and they're probably the last set I'll ever need...

My Rick 360 has been wearing the same set of D'A Chrome 13's since 2015 (FYI it's strictly a rhythm instrument) with no signs of quitting...

Last changed the D'A Chrome 10's on my LP in 2018 - just beginning to show their age tonally but still play in tune, probably change them next time I play out (whenever that is)...

Only reason I changed the Chrome 11's on my Gretsch 5622 cats' eye - also last changed in 2018 - is that I just installed a Vibramate Spoiler (strongly recommended if you have the original pin-style Bigsby BTW)...

Don't ask when I last changed the Chrome 12's on my Strat (also has five trem springs and a decked bridge, just as Leo shipped them in 1954), but mine still have the old gold-brass ball ends...

As Frank said they have less of a tendency to pick up finger crud between the windings (IME the only uncoated roundwound strings that share this property are the long-discontinued GHS 1800/1810 compound-wounds and Martin Monels), and as long as the plain strings show no signs of corrosion I leave things alone as long as possible...

[phcorrigan]

Thanks, everyone.

I also have flat wounds (actually Magma flat grounds) on my HD-28V which are several months old and going strong. I just wanted to make sure my hearing (and my sanity) isn't going on me!

[ras1500]

I change the Chromes on my guitars approximately yearly. That gives me an opportunity to oil the fretboard and polish the frets. Frankly, I don't detect any significant change in tone between the old and new strings.

[Dave Hicks]

So far as I can tell, they never do.

D.H.

[mr. beaumont]

If I notice them going out of tune more often, or any intonation issues.

I get a good year out of flats on my Heritage 575.

[GoPappy]

I've read comments that stainless steel strings like Chromes are hard on frets, since the string metal is harder than the fret metal.

Have any of you Chrome users (or other stainless steel string users) experienced any undue fret wear? Or is this just some people being OCD about their guitars?

[FrankHudson]

I've most often use TI flats on guitars (and on a couple of bass guitars too). However I have Chromes currently on my Gretsch. Too soon to tell there.

I've heard the chrome wounds=increased fret wear thing too, but I'd guess that flatwounds would tend to less wear from sideways movement and tuning with capo on because they don't have the file-like "teeth" of a round wound string.

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by phcorrigan

How do you decide when D'Addario Chromes need to be replaced?

When one of them breaks.

[jseth]

Originally Posted by Jeff Scott

When one of them breaks.

I remember reading an interview with Ry Cooder and David Lindley, and they both said the same thing!

When I owned my ES-175, I'd put a set of Chromes on it (13's or 14's, even!), and then just leave them on for the foreseeable future! I know I've had sets of those on that guitar for >5 years at a time... finally changed them when my conscience (as a pro musician) got the better of me!

If they aren't giving you issues with tuning stability or intonation, you're good to go!

[zoonose]

Originally Posted by GoPappy

I've read comments that stainless steel strings like Chromes are hard on frets, since the string metal is harder than the fret metal.

Have any of you Chrome users (or other stainless steel string users) experienced any undue fret wear? Or is this just some people being OCD about their guitars?

Stainless roundwound strings can be hard on frets, flatwounds are fine.

[phcorrigan]

BTW, the recommendation for the Chromes is one more thing to thank Steve De Rosa for!

[mr. beaumont]

Originally Posted by zoonose

Stainless roundwound strings can be hard on frets, flatwounds are fine.

Yep, actually flatwounds are even easier on frets.