Fender strings - worth it?

EssJay · #1 11-26-2008, 02:21 AM

For the past couple of years I've pretty much used only D'addario strings, but they cost a bit more than I'd like to be paying every now and then. I recently found out that my local shop carries Fender 7250 strings and they're a good $40 cheaper than the D'addarios.
But are the Fender strings good for money? And do they have a long lifespan? I generally keep the strings on until one breaks, so generally they're on for a year or 2.

LarryO · #2 11-26-2008, 06:57 AM

If you like D'Addario's you may want to look into ordering directly from their site. The strings I normally use ,EXL 180 (35-95), are normally priced at $35 dollars at stores in my area. I do sometimes get them for around $15-$18 discounted, but they are always $20 directly from D'Addario.

Philbiker · #3 11-26-2008, 07:00 AM

I've been playing bass for 30 years and have tried too many different string brands and formulations to remember. Fender 7250s are my all time favorite roundwound strings. Most of my fretted electrics have them, the only exception being flats on my single coil P bass copy.

I would buy them if they were triple the price.

They last forever, feel perfect, and sound great. They take very little time to "calm down" after the initial zingy squeaky clacky "new string" period (I hate new strings). Once they are broken in, they stay great sounding for ever.

Simply my favorite strings I have ever used at any price.

BTW, I am also a big fan of D'addario strings. I love their "Chrome" flats on my P-bass and their phosphor bronze strings on my Tacoma Thunderchief.

JustDavid · #4 11-26-2008, 07:02 AM

$40 CHEAPER?

bassbully · #5 11-26-2008, 07:06 AM

7250's are real nice strings IMO. They are bright but i am not sure for how long since my set is not that old. If i remember they are nickel wrapped over a steel core. The tension isnt too bad and they sing nice...pretty cheap too.
I also like the 7150's which are the standard pure nickels. This string is like no other i have ever played. For a roundwound they are warm and thumpy with good mids and highs for a while which fade and the sting become very vintage like in tone almost a flatwound with bottom sound.They feel great and cost little. I like worn out nickel rounds and these things are great. Try the 7250's for more zing thou.The only D'A strings i like are Chromes ...those are great.

stflbn · #6 11-26-2008, 07:15 AM

S.I.T. strings. $18-$25 a set. All i've used for a couple years. Power Steels on my dual humbucker bass and Nickel Silencers on my Jazz/Musicman bass.

pickles · #7 11-26-2008, 07:43 AM

I like 7250s and especially 8250s way better than D'Adarrios. They are great strings.

lunker · #8 11-26-2008, 07:52 AM

what kind of strings are you buying that cost $40 dollars more than Fenders strings. Holy crap! The most expensive set of d'addarios on juststrings.com is ~$42. Either you're getting screwed something good, or you found the world's greatest deal on Fender strings.

bassflyer19 · #9 11-26-2008, 07:56 AM

Fender strings are amazing. 7250's are what Fender puts on 'em at the factor. the last time i ventured from Fender strings, I tried some DR strings(terrible in my opinion). i put some 7250's back on my bass and magic occured. and the 7250's that were on my Squier where on it for at least four years. still sounded great. i only changed it because im afraid they would break when i needed it.

BassoP · #10 11-26-2008, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lunker

what kind of strings are you buying that cost $40 dollars more than Fenders strings. Holy crap! The most expensive set of d'addarios on juststrings.com is ~$42. Either you're getting screwed something good, or you found the world's greatest deal on Fender strings.

That was my first thought too, but, as it turns out he is an Aussie, so they aren't USD.

Seems like other folks like the fenders. I've only had one set, some flats, and I thought the E string was kind of screwy.

Rezdog · #11 11-26-2008, 08:08 AM

Greetings from the North,

I've tried a bunch of different brands over the years and I've got to say Fender makes some great strings. Great tone, great tension, feel nice on the fingers and they last. I have a set of 7250's on one of my Reverend BH5's and a set of 8250's on my 08 P5. You can't go wrong with them.

Rezdog

madbassplaya · #12 11-26-2008, 08:12 AM

i use 8250s on my jazz V.

Beefbass · #13 11-26-2008, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philbiker

I've been playing bass for 30 years and have tried too many different string brands and formulations to remember. Fender 7250s are my all time favorite roundwound strings. Most of my fretted electrics have them, the only exception being flats on my single coil P bass copy.

I would buy them if they were triple the price.

They last forever, feel perfect, and sound great. They take very little time to "calm down" after the initial zingy squeaky clacky "new string" period (I hate new strings). Once they are broken in, they stay great sounding for ever.

Simply my favorite strings I have ever used at any price.

BTW, I am also a big fan of D'addario strings. I love their "Chrome" flats on my P-bass and their phosphor bronze strings on my Tacoma Thunderchief.

+1

therex · #14 11-26-2008, 03:38 PM

how is tension in fenders 7250 compared to daddarioXL nickel nickelplated steels? i am looking for strings with lower tension and if posible with a stiffer feel so they vibrate tighter

EssJay · #15 11-26-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philbiker

They last forever, feel perfect, and sound great. They take very little time to "calm down" after the initial zingy squeaky clacky "new string" period (I hate new strings). Once they are broken in, they stay great sounding for ever.

Thanks for that man, I'm thinking I might pick up a pack of them next time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustDavid

$40 CHEAPER?

Yeah, my local music shop has jacked up the price a little (not much though), but I have spent $82 on a set of D'addario's for my 5 string (which is what I'm after strings for. And it's in australian dollars, that price is pretty consistent around my area). This set of Fenders is $40, so I've been considering looking into them for ages.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

S.I.T. strings. $18-$25 a set. All i've used for a couple years. Power Steels on my dual humbucker bass and Nickel Silencers on my Jazz/Musicman bass.

I've tried SIT strings on my guitar, I wasn't impressed with them. They had a tendency of breaking after about a week and when I was spending $18 a set (.10-.52's), so after over $100 of bad experiences I haven't touched them since.

Anyways, thanks for the replies guys, you've been helpful.

mntngrown · #16 11-26-2008, 09:43 PM

Bricks and mortar sources either have to be the Walmart of music stores, (you fill in the name), or make money on lessons,
newbies lookin to start and needing hands on etc.
Congress extended no sales tax for internet business making life harder for mom and pop ops. I am a hardcore shopper.
Today you can do a live.com search and end up with 25% off your e-bay bass purchase with no sales tax. How does the shop with a lease and sales staff compete?

Medford Bassman · #17 11-27-2008, 12:16 PM

I prefer D'darrio's over Fender anyday.

Last night was a perfect example. I was using my Jazz V with Fender 7250 that came with it for our first set. I did a slide during a song and part of the winding came off and inserted itself nicely into my index finger. Fun...

I switched back to my 4 string Jazz with my D'darrio's and finished the show. This morning, I'm still trying to get the piece of metal out.

While I'm not basing my opinion solely on this, it is one more example why I don't use Fender strings. Over the years I have found them frankly lousy sounding. Zing with no definition.

My two cents of course. To each their own.

fretlessguy · #18 11-27-2008, 03:24 PM

7250s are (besides one bass that has SIT strings) the only rounds I currently use. They do last quite a while and sound good.

phxlbrmpf · #19 11-27-2008, 03:48 PM

Personally, I think they're pretty damn great for the price. I usually use them when I want Nickels but have been thinking of trying their steels. They do make stainless steels, right? Can someone tell me what their "pure" steels are called? Their string names are more than a bit confusing.

Are the 7350s Stainless Steels? I always thought the "Super Bass" strings were.

Another Edit: Apparently, the 7350s don't come as fiver sets, am I missing something or is this true?

Bongolation · #20 11-27-2008, 04:42 PM

Like everything else that comes out of the Ensenada plant, the strings are variable in quality, and this tends to show most markedly in their heavier flatwounds, which seem to be a more difficult string to make properly. Some sets are fine, some not so hot.

In my experience, Fender strings seem to be higher-tension than most other strings of the same nominal gauge, but there are no published stats on tension from FMIC, so this is my subjective impression. Most people seem to share it.

I use Fender strings purely because they are cheap and usually good enough for my purposes -- and properly fit my many Fender basses. [shrug]