# D'Addario XL Chromes Flatwound Bass Strings ECB81-5SL Regular Light 45-132 5-String | Warm Mellow Tone, Ultra-Smooth Feel **Brand:** D'Addario **SKU:** erg6244 **ASIN:** B000OR6GYS **Canonical URL:** https://crowcrowcrow.com/p/daddario-chromes-flatwound-bass-strings-ecb81-5sl-45-132-5-string/erg6244 **Category:** electronics **Subcategory:** Products **Availability:** in_stock **Price (INR, all-inclusive):** ₹8,807 **Discount:** 3% **Customer rating:** 4.88/5 from 8 ratings ## Description D'Addario XL Chromes Flatwound Bass Strings ECB81-5SL (45-132) for 5-string basses. Enjoy a warm, mellow tone and ultra-smooth feel with reduced finger noise. Made in the USA with a durable Hex-Core and polished stainless steel wrap for consistent intonation. Imported for Indian musicians. ## Highlights - Warm, Mellow Tone — Achieve a rich, dark, and warm tonal presence that blends beautifully into any mix, distinct from brighter roundwound strings. Ideal for jazz, blues, and smooth rock tones. - Ultra-Smooth Feel — The polished flatwound surface minimizes finger noise and allows for effortless movement across the fretboard, enhancing playing comfort and speed during long sessions. - Consistent Intonation & Durability — Built with a proprietary high-carbon steel Hex-Core and precisely wound stainless steel ribbon wire, these strings ensure reliable intonation and long-lasting performance. - Versatile 5-String Gauge — The Regular Light 45-132 gauge offers a balanced tension and tone for 5-string basses, suitable for a wide range of musical styles and playing techniques. ## Key features - Smooth, Mellow Tone: These flat wound bass guitar strings provide a warmer, mellower tone than round wound strings, delivering an ultra-smooth feel while allowing movement across the fretboard with no finger noise - Consistent and Durable: XL Chromes feature stainless steel flattened ribbon wrap precisely polished for unparalleled smoothness and warmth; Made with our proprietary Hex-Core to ensure perfect intonation, consistency and durability - Strings for Every Style: From jazz to metal to rock, bluegrass, blues, folk and more, we make great sounding strings for every genre and level from beginner to pro, including strings for bass, acoustic, classical, and 12-string - Sound Better, Play Better: Shop our whole collection of guitar accessories including string winders, picks, straps, capos, tuners, cables, gear bags and cases, plus strings for banjo, mandolin, ukelele and more - Made in the USA: As the world’s largest and most respected maker of musical accessories, D’Addario guitar strings are made to exacting specifications at our cutting edge New York production facility ## Why choose this product **Crafted for Superior Bass Tone** — D'Addario XL Chromes are engineered for a unique sonic signature. Their flatwound design and polished stainless steel wrap wire create a warm, mellow tone with minimal finger noise, a sound favored by discerning bassists. The high-carbon steel Hex-Core ensures exceptional stability and durability, providing consistent intonation that holds up under demanding playing conditions. This meticulous construction, originating from D'Addario's New York facility, sets them apart from generic alternatives, offering a premium feel and sound that elevates your playing experience. **Ideal for Smooth Jazz & Blues** — These strings are perfect for bassists who play jazz, blues, or any genre requiring a smooth, warm, and articulate tone with reduced fret noise. They are less suited for players seeking a bright, aggressive, or cutting sound, or those who prefer the feel and attack of roundwound strings. If you need a bright, punchy tone for modern metal or slap bass, consider other string types. ## How to use 1. Carefully detune and remove the old bass strings one by one. Clean the fretboard and bridge area of any dust or debris before installing new strings. — Remove Old Strings 2. Thread the new D'Addario XL Chromes strings through the bridge. For Super Long Scale basses, ensure sufficient string length to reach the tuning posts without excessive tension at the bridge. — Install New Strings 3. Gently tune the strings to pitch. New strings will stretch and go out of tune quickly; stretch them by hand and retune several times over the first few hours of playing to stabilize. — Tune and Stretch 4. Once the strings have settled, fine-tune them to the desired pitch. Allow them to break in over a few playing sessions to fully realize their warm, mellow tone. — Fine-Tune and Play ## Product details | Field | Value | |---|---| | Core Wire | High-Carbon Steel Hex-Core | | Wrap Wire | Stainless Steel Flattened Ribbon | | Coating/Finish | Precision Polishing | | Instrument Compatibility | 5-String Bass Guitar | | Recommended Use | Jazz, Blues, Rock, Smooth Tones | | String Life | Long-lasting due to polished flatwound construction | | Cost per set | ₹8,807 | | Brand | D'Addario | | Model Number | ECB81-5SL | | String Type | Flatwound | | Gauge | Regular Light (45-132) | | Number of Strings | 5 | | Scale Length | Super Long Scale | | Material | Stainless Steel Flattened Ribbon Wrap over High-Carbon Steel Hex-Core | | Finish | Polished | | Color | Silver/Multicolor | | Item Weight | 0.17 kg (3.2 oz) | | Country of Origin | Made in the USA | ## Frequently asked questions ### How do D'Addario XL Chromes Flatwound Bass Strings compare to roundwound strings? XL Chromes deliver a warmer, mellower tone and an ultra-smooth feel, significantly reducing finger noise compared to roundwound strings. This makes them ideal for genres like jazz and blues where a smooth, dark tone is preferred. Roundwound strings typically offer a brighter, more articulate sound with more sustain and attack. ### What is the gauge and scale length of these D'Addario strings? This set, ECB81-5SL, is a Regular Light gauge with string gauges ranging from 45 to 132. It is designed for Super Long Scale basses, typically accommodating instruments with a scale length up to 37 inches. ### Are these strings suitable for slap bass or aggressive playing styles? While versatile, XL Chromes are primarily known for their warm, mellow tone and smooth feel, which is excellent for fingerstyle playing in jazz and blues. For aggressive slap bass techniques that require a bright, percussive attack, roundwound strings might be a more suitable choice. ### How durable are D'Addario XL Chromes Flatwound Bass Strings? These strings are known for their durability, thanks to the high-carbon steel Hex-Core and the precisely polished stainless steel flattened ribbon wrap. This construction ensures consistent intonation and a long lifespan, resisting corrosion and wear effectively. ### Can I use these strings on a standard scale bass? The ECB81-5SL set is specified as Super Long Scale. While they can sometimes be adapted to standard scale basses, it's best to confirm the required string length for your specific instrument to ensure proper winding on the tuning post and secure seating at the bridge. ### What is the tonal difference between D'Addario XL Chromes and other flatwound strings? XL Chromes are specifically noted for their exceptionally warm, mellow, and dark tone, combined with an ultra-smooth polished finish. They offer a distinctively smooth feel and reduced finger noise, making them a top choice for players seeking that classic flatwound sound. ## Compliance No product-specific compliance warnings identified. Standard imported-goods terms apply: customs duties & GST paid; for personal use in India; follow the manufacturer's usage instructions on the packaging. ## Images 1. https://images.crowcrowcrow.com/B000OR6GYS-0.webp 2. https://images.crowcrowcrow.com/B000OR6GYS-3.webp 3. https://images.crowcrowcrow.com/B000OR6GYS-6.webp 4. https://images.crowcrowcrow.com/B000OR6GYS-9.webp 5. https://images.crowcrowcrow.com/B000OR6GYS-12.webp 6. https://images.crowcrowcrow.com/B000OR6GYS-15.webp --- Source: https://crowcrowcrow.com/p/daddario-chromes-flatwound-bass-strings-ecb81-5sl-45-132-5-string/erg6244 Returns: 14 days, free pickup, full refund on genuine issues. Shipping: Free across India, 14-16 days. Prices are all-inclusive (duties + GST).