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Availability:
In Stock.
Arrives
Saturday, Nov 14
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At a glance
- Condition
- New
- Size
- Long Scale
- Style
- Light, 45-132 (5-String)
- Model
- ECB81-5
- Weight
- 5.9 oz
- Color
- Silver
- Material
- Stainless Steel
- Warranty
- D'addario strives to be a customer-centric company dedicated to producing the highest quality musical instrument accessories in the world. If you have purchased a d'addario product that you believe to be defective, we invite you to submit a contact us form, selecting defect/warranty as inquiry type. We are committed to providing a fair resolution and hope that you will want to continue supporting our brands. Please note only products purchased through authorized d'addario resellers qualify for consideration. D'addario reserves the right to determine appropriate support on a case-by-case basis and at our sole discretion.
Features 5
- MELLOW TONE - XL Chromes are a flat wound electric bass string, which provide a mellower tone than round wound strings.
- SMOOTH, DARK TONES - Chromes stainless steel flattened ribbon wrap wire is precisely polished for unparalleled smoothness and a dark, yet warm tone.
- HEX-CORE - Like all DAddario bass strings, XL Chromes are made with our proprietary Hex-Core, ensuring perfect intonation, consistent feel, and reliable durability.
- EARN REWARD POINTS - Chromes sets have a code on the recyclable VCI bag, which you can register to earn Players Circle points.
- MADE IN THE USA DAddario bass guitar strings are made in the USAdrawn to our exacting specifications at our New York production facility.
Description
XL Chromes are among the warmest, mellowest bass strings we have to offer. These flat wound strings provide an ultra-smooth feel and a dark, yet warm tone, while allowing movement across the fretboard with no finger noise. Made with a high carbon steel core, Chromes stainless steel flattened ribbon wrap wire is expertly wound onto a series of interlocking under-windings, then precisely polished for unparalleled smoothness and a tonal presence which blends beautifully into the mix. Made for 5-string basses, 45-132 Regular Light gauge strings take our most popular bass gauge and add a low B-string. From the Manufacturer ECB81-5, the 5-string version of D'Addario's best-selling Flatwound bass strings, are known for their warm, mellow tone and smooth polished feel. With the addition of a .132 low B, Chromes deliver a deep, rich low bottom end which makes them the flat wound choice of Jazz, R&B and Pop musicians. Fits long scale basses with a string scale length of up to 36 1/4 inches. D'Addario Chromes Bass strings are wound with flattened stainless steel ribbon wire which is polished to an incredibly smooth surface. Delivering a distinctive damped, but tone-rich sound that only flatwounds can produce, D'Addario Chromes are the world's most popular flatwound strings.D'Addario, the world's largest manufacturer of musical instrument strings, is known as The Players Choice with a reputation for unsurpassed quality and consistency. D'Addario's innovative packaging reduces waste and provides protection from corrosion. All D'Addario strings are manufactured in the U.S.A. using proprietary, digitally controlled, state-of- the-art machinery for unmatched performance, set after set.
Specs 24
| Brand | D'Addario |
|---|---|
| String Gauge | Medium |
| Color | Silver |
| Instrument | Bass Guitar |
| String Material Type | Chrome |
| Brand Name | D'Addario |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 10, 46 |
| UPC | 199549257102 019954925710 019954945046 |
| Item Highlight | XL Chromes flatwound bass strings deliver smooth feel, warm tone, reduced finger noise and exceptional durability. |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Item Type Name | Electric Guitar Strings |
| Item Weight | 5.9 ounces |
| Manufacturer | D'Addario &Co. Inc |
| Model Name | ECB81-5 |
| Model Number | ECB81-5 |
| Manufacturer Part Number | ECB81-5 |
| Set Name | ECB81-5 |
| Coating Description | Uncoated |
| Body Material Type | Stainless Steel, High Carbon Steel |
| Material Type | Stainless Steel |
| Finish Type | Polished |
| Sound Profile | Warm, Mellow |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Bass Guitar |
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Frequently asked questions
If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is:
Saturday, Nov 14
Yes, absolutely! You may return this product for a full refund within 30 days of receiving it.
To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.
View our full returns policy here.
To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.
View our full returns policy here.
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Top Amazon Reviews
Really liking these. Great E string tonal quality.
Size: Medium Scale
Style: Light, 45-100
I have a through-body Mustang bass. Since I bought it, I always used LaBella Mustang Flats because of the perfect fit... I'm surprised more strings don't market specifically "for Mustang". But these strings, in the medium-scale set, are PERFECT for a through-body Mustang. Also, the sound is excellent. The E string has (at least on a brand-new set) just about the liveliest sound I've ever heard on an E string. Ya know how sometimes playing a note on the A string vs the E strings, even on a brand-new set, sounds way, way different in tonal quality? That problem is really minimized with these strings -- again, at least on a brand-new set. I'll be keeping any eye out for how the E string deadens with time, but as I get a better ear with time, I find that I need to replace my strings about every 3 months anyway, otherwise everything starts sounding dead to me. Too bad Thomastik-Infeld doesn't make their Jazz Flats in a scale for through-body Mustangs, those suckers sound good forever! (hint hint, T.I.!) Anyway, these strings seem to have noticeably better sound than the LaBellas, especially on the E. I really like the gauge too, they just feel right. May have to become a lifelong d'Addario fan! ADDENDUM AFTER GOING THROUGH SEVERAL SETS: Still loving them! I usually get 3 to 4 months on a set, and then the dullness starts to kick in too much. Although even after 4 months, you might really like the sound, they still sound good, they still play well, and they still stay in tune -- they just don't have that lively bright quality like a newer set. They also age very, very nicely, in that each string ages equally, even the E string, which is really surprising since I've found that the E string (with other brands) tends to go duller faster than other strings, and gets to be way-too-dead very quickly. Not these babies!!! The E string, even after four months, sounds comparable in tonal quality to the other strings and still has good sustain... again, just losing that brightness to age at the same rate as the other strings. UPDATE: after many, many sets of these strings, they are still my favorite for a Mustang Bass instrument with through-body strings. They sound good for a long time, getting "deader" very gracefully, including even-balanced aging and tone on the low E. They sound so good aged, that it shocks me when I throw on a new set and hear how bright they are!! I'm like, whoa, sure, they weren't bright after all that time, but man they still sounded sweet!
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Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2019 by R. A. Edington
Really nice strings that add new options to my sound
Size: Long Scale
Style: Medium, 50-105
Been playing bass in a cover band that plays a wide range of mostly danceable music: Pop, Top40, R&B, Funk, anything groovy. I play two Fender Jazz Basses. One is a standard MIM and the other is a Japanese Aerodyne with P/J pickups. I have been playing Rotosound Swing Bass Roundwounds on both. But.... I have been noticing that with this kind of music I was always turning down the tone and bridge pickups to get a deeper sound like on most of these original tunes. Also found myself playing the Aerodyne almost all the time because of the P Bass pickup and it's tone. Went online and researched various options for getting that genuine tone from the 60's and 70's and learned that Flat Wounds are where it's at. Caught some great videos on YouTube about these strings and decided to give them a try. I'm glad I did! They are a huge step in the direction I was trying to go. Put them on the Aerodyne, gonna keep that one as my groovy axe and the MIM Jazz will keep the roundwounds for when I need to rock out and want that great lively tone they produce. The flatwounds feel smooth slick and amazing to play. They are a bit stiffer with more thud than rounds and also have less ring. Which is good for certain kinds of music. I noticed with them I don't have to mute open strings as much and they naturally produce more of a deeper thumpier sound. They have great sustain, so they're not deader, just have less of the higher overtones of rounds. I also noticed that my tone knob is way more responsive with these strings than with rounds. Using the tone knob and blending in the bridge single coil pickup give me a much wider range of tones now than I ever had before. Go figure. I can also crank up the tone and the bridge pickup and get very close to a roundwound sound for certain tunes and not have to change basses. Overall, I am very pleased with these strings and the way they have added more options to my sound. I would recommend them to anyone looking to broaden their pallet of sound or discover for themselves the deep soulful funky tones these strings produce and why they are such a big part of some of the greatest music ever recorded. MORE BASS!!
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Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2013 by C. Varga
Best flatwound strings
Size: Long Scale
Style: Light, 45-132 (5-String)
I’ve always used d’Addario bass strings. Switching to the flat wound has been a game changer. The tone is great. But without all the fret noise from nickel round wound. Very durable. A little pricey, but all flat wounds are about the same price. I wouldn’t go for any other brand
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2026 by Paul G.
Superb Full-sounding Strings for Professionals or Praise and Worship
Size: Long Scale
Style: Light, 40-100
I am a professional as well as a praise and worship player. I have tried the other popular brand flatwounds and have always come back to D'Addarios. I really like the fuller sound of D'Addario strings. Even when the bass is adjusted for a bright sound, it is a fuller, fatter bright and not so tinny. I have them on hollow-body electrics, acoustic/electrics, and high-end professional 4 and 5 string basses. SCALE/GUITAR: I purchase the SUPER LONG scale for through-the-body set-ups and long scale for standard setups of 34" scale basses on my 4 string basses. The D'Addario long scale came up slightly short and the full windings didn't even make the nut on the through-the-body set-ups. Additionally, it feels like the longer scale actually alleviated some of the excessive neck tension on 4 strings. *On some five strings I stick with the Long scale strings WITH a TTB set-up to keep the B string from feeling floppy. I had to trim some of the sring winding at the nut but this is easily done and the bass really resonds well. COMFORT: The Flat-wound Chromes are incredibly comfortable strings. If you like to slide all over the place, these strings are for you and produce zero slide noise. SOUND: I love the full, mellow sound they produce. I have played R&B, Jazz, Rock, and Country, and I also play on a worship team, and these strings can solo on the most reverent of songs, or turn it up on a good Rock riff. With the right tone adjustments on your bass, you can get a very full and balanced sound that is 'there' without being 'on top' or distracting, as well as a bright but still smooth and full lead for great jazz, country or rock. Just don't expect a great deal of growl if you're trying to slap. CONS: The only con I have is through-the-body Stringing - I wish D'Addario would design a set labeled specifically for TTB set-ups. Although I have had ZERO problems with these strings and have NEVER replaced a set (I'm of the gunk-is-funk camp), it would be nice to not have to figure out what set will work without doing a bunch of silly measuring, or, worse yet, having to buy another set because you guessed or measured wrong; especially since bass strings can get pricey! Conclusion: It's really simple; if you like a WARM-sounding, foundation bass, get these strings. If you like something a little more ON-TOP of the sound, go with round-wounds.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2011 by Big Woo
Excellent for fretless bass
Size: Long Scale
Style: Light, 45-132 (5-String)
When put on my acoustic fretless, it really gave it a double bass-like sound especially in the middle of the neck. I had to slightly ream the B hole in the bridge and shave off some of the sheathing on the B string because it became slightly too fat after I immediately frayed the blue sheathing. Otherwise, these should usually go on well and without issue.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2026 by LordOfFridges
Fantastic strings.
Size: Long Scale
Style: Light, 45-100
Exactly what I expected. Stainless steel means bright (for flat wounds that is) when new. They will warm up after a while. They're still not nearly as bright as round wounds. Don't expect them to be. Hex core means higher tension. Yes, you may need to adjust your truss rod. If you're used to lower tension strings, these might not be for you. They have that classic high tension old school flat wound feel. Flat wounds means smooth action with no finger slide noise. For the most part the one-star reviews are from people who either didn't understand what they were ordering and got the wrong product or they just don't know how to string their Bass up and should probably go to somebody who has experience to do it for them. My suggestion is do a little research about the strings you are purchasing before you actually buy them. Just saying.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2026 by Wolf-Spider!
Flatwounds- wow!
Size: Long Scale
Style: Medium, 50-105
I am new to flatwound bass strings so i have a few comments about them. I have these installed on my Epiphone Thunderbird 4 String bass. Having been a bassist for years i always used round strings with no problem, but after a several year playing hiatus, i bought a new bass and i'm playing again. My fingers have gone soft and the stock strings on my bass were tearing into them like parmesan cheese. A friend told me about flatwounds which i'd never seen, and I decided to give them a shot. What i found was the pleasure of playing increased dramatically. My fingers slide up and down the strings like silk now, and it makes me faster, and more comfortable than ever before. The tone is nice, rich and fat with ABSOLUTELY NO STRING NOISE. slide as much as you want, there will be no squeaks and squeals when you move your fingers. This is worth the cost of admission and completely makes up for some of the strings cons. Cons: I play a 4 string tuned drop D. Even when tuned to E the bottom string lacks character moreso than the other strings. When you tune down, you lose even more character. What i mean is there's less sustain on this string, less trebel, its just kind of muddy and blah. I'm not happy with the sound of the E string in this set. My roundwound strings are also louder when played unplugged. I cant hear what i'm playing as clearly and the strings don't seem to resonate as long or as brightly as the previous rounds did. I am looking to change out the bottom string, i've read that other brands are better for drop tuning, so i may try something else next time, but this is a good entry into the world of flatwounds and i'm very happy i switched. From a quality standpoint I'd like to mention these strings are well made. They're not chrome-looking compared to my previous rounds, they're more of a polished steel look, and up close sort of resemble doc ock's robot arms from spiderman. The silk wraps on the end of each string are dark purple and look very nice and uniform when installed.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2015 by Evan
Bass Guitar Strings
Size: Long Scale
Style: Medium, 50-105
Great quality; great sounds for one of my many bass guitars. Great compared to some others.
Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2026 by Baronva