Help ID these old Flats- Pics

[dinkbass]

hey everyone- picked up a set of unused, but old flats on the bay. Advertised as D'addario chromes, which I know they are not, but I'm wondering if anyone does know what brand they are? Here are some detailed pics next to a set of chromes. Silks are much lighter blue. They are only silked on the bridge end. Wrap is of much smaller wire than Chromes (see pic). They are the most woody, warm sounding flats I've ever played. Granted, I haven't exactly had the funds to try every set of flats on the market, that's why I was hoping someone out there could help me ID these? They came in a plastic cup marked "Picato Bass Strings" I'm not sure they are Picato brand either..

anyone?

thanks!!

[Jim Carr]

Those are old Fender flats, either M or ML gauge, I'd guess. I believe they have been discontinued.

[billyboybass]

these are Fender Flatwounds, I think 9050's .055 .070 .090 .105 I have em on my bass, too bad they're discontinued, maybe you can find old new stock, cheers Billybass

[BassGen]

I'm only asking because I'm lost here. How on earth does anybody know this?

[dinkbass]

Thanks guys!! I knew someone on here would have the answer for me!

How long ago were 9050s discontinued? Or changed and repackaged? Because these strings look to be at least 10-15 years old....

[BassBob1]

Originally Posted by BassGen

I'm only asking because I'm lost here. How on earth does anybody know this?

Old fender flats had silk (greenish blue) wrap on the bridge side and no silk on the tuner end of the string.

[tjh]

... why dont I remember the tapered ends on the old Fender flats ?? ... of course that was 40 years ago I was using them .. of did they go tapered for a period since then?

[Pilgrim]

You should strip off the silks far enough that there is metal to metal contact between the strings and the saddles. Having silks between the string and saddle can impair the sound.

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

You should strip off the silks far enough that there is metal to metal contact between the strings and the saddles. Having silks between the string and saddle can impair the sound.

I never bought into this idea. My thought is if it's would be true wouldnt you have to do the same for the strings at the tuning pegs also? Why would string makers have the felt run up the string this high then? There is no diff in sound IMO.

[One Drop]

Originally Posted by bassbully

I never bought into this idea. My thought is if it's would be true wouldnt you have to do the same for the strings at the tuning pegs also? Why would string makers have the felt run up the string this high then? There is no diff in sound IMO.

You would normally not want the silk to be on a nut either, more relevant than on the tuning peg, where it is okay to make contact, of course.

If it's not bothering you though, shouldn't matter overmuch.