Fender Flatwounds ?

[p-bass]

I am still looking for a set of flatwound strings to replace my zingy Chromes that just won't calm down. I played a friends 1974 Fender Precision and it sounded great. I asked him what kind of strings he has on it and he said Fender flats. I asked him how old they are because they sound very broken in. He said about two months. These sound like the strings I have been looking for. Has anybody on this forum ever used them on a Fender Classic 50's Precision and if so how do they sound ? My bass has the original pickup in it. How long do they last ? Thanks

[JimmyM]

I've got a set on a DIY PJ that I've had on for about a year now. I like them a lot. They go dead quickly, and they will last a long time. Plus they're very inexpensive compared to most flats.

[bassbully]

I like them but hate the tension which is way to high IMO. Chromes are great on that bass which i also own. Chromes will tame down if you give them time. If you like the Fenders go for it.

[Bass Mule]

I've got a set of Fender flats on my P, but I prefer the half-rounds on my p/j. +1 to bassbully re: the tension. They are TENSE strings. I normally play medium strings, so I bought the medium Fender flats, and I had to adjust the truss rod quite a bit after installing them. I could probably switch to lights.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by Bass Mule

I've got a set of Fender flats on my P, but I prefer the half-rounds on my p/j. +1 to bassbully re: the tension. They are TENSE strings. I normally play medium strings, so I bought the medium Fender flats, and I had to adjust the truss rod quite a bit after installing them. I could probably switch to lights.

That's what I did. But I kind of like tense flats. I tried a set of TI Jazz Flats once and they were so annoying to play being so floppy. I don't enjoy real tense roundwounds, but flats are a different story. Of course, that's within limits...the LaBella Jamerson set is insanely tense and I could never use them, and I don't like really thick flats, so the Fender light flats were the ticket for me.

[ExD]

I had them on my old P-Bass, nice warm tone when it starts to 'die'. That's how I like my bass strings though.

[tapp01]

Originally Posted by p-bass

I am still looking for a set of flatwound strings to replace my zingy Chromes that just won't calm down. I played a friends 1974 Fender Precision and it sounded great. I asked him what kind of strings he has on it and he said Fender flats. I asked him how old they are because they sound very broken in. He said about two months. These sound like the strings I have been looking for. Has anybody on this forum ever used them on a Fender Classic 50's Precision and if so how do they sound ? My bass has the original pickup in it. How long do they last ? Thanks

How long have you had the Chromes on?

[Beefbass]

I have the 9050L's on most of my basses, and I really like them. The 9050M's are way too tense, and I didn't like the sound of them. The 9050ML's are better, but the L's were more readily available, so I stuck with them.

The only thing I don't understand at Fender though; they are now making the first "true" 5 string Precision bass. Why on earth don't they offer a set of 5 string flats? Well, maybe they'll get around to that sometime.....

[lonote]

I have Fender 9050 flats on both of my P-Basses, one of which is a Classic Series 50's. I think Fender flats on a P-Bass is a classic tone combination. They are relatively high tension strings, though. If you want something with a looser feel, look elsewhere.

[ljazz]

I have a set that I just put back on a G&L SB2..... they're going on 12 years old!

They're kind of a bitter-sweet string for me. They are incredibly "snappy"..... They're much brighter than chromes when comparing them after they've broken it. About the only thing I don't like about them is the E string is very hallow sounding.

I dig the tension on these, because I can tune them down to Eb or D for my blues gig.

Ljazz

[jimmy rocket]

Originally Posted by Beefbass

I have the 9050L's on most of my basses, and I really like them. The 9050M's are way too tense, and I didn't like the sound of them. The 9050ML's are better, but the L's were more readily available, so I stuck with them.

Yes, whatever you do don't order the Mediums. I rock the MLs on my Jazz bass and they are phenomenal.


In fact I like them so much, the slogan for the MLs should be:
"Fender flats - Oh Hell Yeah!"

Don't be afraid of how clanky and bright they sound for the first week. They will settle in within a month and be your best friends forever.

[One Drop]

If you want to hear how they sound on a Jazz, listen to Bob Marley recordings, or any other tracks Aston 'Family man' Barrett plays on. Fat, punchy and clear, with some bite and growl when digging in a bit. I think he uses the ML set.

[J.D.B.]

Another vote fer the 9050ML's. Very nice, though I haven't restrung ALL the instruments just yet.
Josh

[Sub5ound]

Id recommend GHS Precision Flats...they lose their zing after five minutes.

[Beefbass]

Originally Posted by jimmy rocket

Yes, whatever you do don't order the Mediums. I rock the MLs on my Jazz bass and they are phenomenal.


In fact I like them so much, the slogan for the MLs should be:
"Fender flats - Oh Hell Yeah!"

Don't be afraid of how clanky and bright they sound for the first week. They will settle in within a month and be your best friends forever.

I just strung my 2002 jazz fretless with DiMarzio Model J's back up with the 9050L's. To me, this bass has never sounded so good! I just wish Fender would ship them new with either the L's, or ML's-NOT those bridge cable feeling mediums!!

Anyway, after trying many different strings on this bass over the last 6 years, these 9050L's are it for me.

[p-bass]

Sub5sound, I was told by a guy who works in a local music shop here in town to try the GHS Precision Flatwounds, he told me they sound like the old La Bellas. Would the 45-105 set of GHS Flats have less tension then the Fenders ? The Fenders on my friends P-Bass did feel stiff. tapp01, I have had the Chromes on for about six months and they still sound very crisp,I am looking for an old Blues tone out of my Flats and the Chromes just ain't doing it.

[Joe Gress]

9050ML's for me. (for flats)

To me, they feel the closest to what my upright stings feel like.

[Jactap]

I have a set on my JT Hofner copy. I like 'em, and they're cheap too.