Detail 01
Flat wound
Ribbon wrap sanded smooth, so fingers glide silently and the top end rolls off into a thumpy midrange.
Product detailSKU #1274034478038
D'AddarioECB81-5SL Chromes Flat Wound 5-String Bass Soft SL Strings
1/4
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Flatwound 5-string bass set in soft/light gauge, short scale length. For players chasing thumpy, low-friction tone with reduced string noise.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Motown, reggae and R&B lines where fingerboard squeak ruins takes
- Fretless bass players who want to protect the board
- Players who slide often and hate finger noise on recordings
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Slap and funk players wanting bright, aggressive attack
- Anyone on a long-scale 34" bass — this is the short-scale length
- Players on a tight budget replacing strings often
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
SL / short scale
Cut for shorter-scale basses. On a standard 34" bass the taper and ball ends land in the wrong place.
Detail 03
Soft tension
Lower tension than a regular set, so less finger effort and a slinkier feel, with more give under hard picking.
Detail 04
5-string set
Includes the low B, so the nut slot and bridge saddle need to accommodate the extra string.
Detail 05
Chromes
D'Addario's flatwound line. Breaks in over weeks rather than dying — tone stays consistent for a long time.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Confirm your bass is short scale before ordering — length is not adjustable
- 02Flatwounds settle in slowly; expect a few days before tone stabilizes
- 03Do not cut flatwounds before installing — unwinding ruins the string
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Will these fit my 34-inch bass?
No. This is the short-scale (SL) version. A long-scale bass needs the standard-length Chromes set instead.
02How long do flatwounds last?
Far longer than roundwounds. Many players keep flatwounds on for years — the tone changes little once broken in.
03Are these good for slap bass?
Not really. Flatwounds have a rolled-off top end, so slap and pop attack sounds dull compared to roundwounds.
04Will these damage my frets?
No — the smooth surface is gentler on frets and fingerboards than roundwound strings.
