Old Fender 9050 Flats

jallenbass · #1 02-08-2011, 10:49 PM

What current offerings (by any string maker) are the most like the old formula of the Fender 9050 flats?

NortyFiner · #2 02-09-2011, 11:14 AM

No idea. I'm still using my old Fender 9050 flats.

And I'm not looking forward to having to do the research on a future change, either.

RCCollins · #3 02-09-2011, 11:15 AM

i sure wish i had an answer for you. they were my favorite flats by a wide margin

samjones_de · #4 02-09-2011, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jallenbass

What current offerings (by any string maker) are the most like the old formula of the Fender 9050 flats?

Rotosound Jazz Bass 77 are the ones that come to mind. They have a higher tension like the old Fenders, the sound is somewhat similar, but not identical.

Sleeq · #5 02-09-2011, 11:53 PM

I bought a couple of older Fender flats from an online retailer who had them in stock (had to email them to check).

jallenbass · #6 02-10-2011, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sleeq

I bought a couple of older Fender flats from an online retailer who had them in stock (had to email them to check).

Do you remember who it was?

iiipopes · #7 02-10-2011, 07:52 AM

I have a CBS era .095 in its original envelope NOS I would sell. Give me a PM.

RCCollins · #8 02-10-2011, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samjones_de

Rotosound Jazz Bass 77 are the ones that come to mind. They have a higher tension like the old Fenders, the sound is somewhat similar, but not identical.

really? I like these strings too, but find them lower tension than the recently discontinued 9050s, and I think most folks here would agree they have a very different sound - lots more added harmonics than the Fenders, which are a thumpy old school flatwound. I usually recommend the rotos when someone wants flatwound feel with a bit more edge.

GHS precision flats are a decent substitute for the old 9050s, and of course there are LaBellas too.

jallenbass · #9 02-10-2011, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCCollins

GHS precision flats are a decent substitute for the old 9050s

I find the GHS flats to be quite the opposite of the old 9050s. The Fenders to me have more upper partials and the GHS are more mid/low mid oriented. Both are great strings though.

Sleeq · #10 02-10-2011, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jallenbass

Do you remember who it was?

Elderly... they had 5 left back in June 2010 and I got 2. If I had more money I would have bought them all hehe.

RCCollins · #11 02-10-2011, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jallenbass

I find the GHS flats to be quite the opposite of the old 9050s. The Fenders to me have more upper partials and the GHS are more mid/low mid oriented. Both are great strings though.

it's starting to sound to me like you need some LaBella 760FMs

Luckydog · #12 02-10-2011, 04:46 PM

Its funny. To me the old fenders were unique. Unlike other flats. Very very powerful attack with a thick tone. But had a little bit of click or something with the attack. To me they had the thump of labellas but more kick in the gut punch in the initial attack. Ghs are a little smoother and lack the powerful kick that the fenders had. If the new fenders are like chromes (which some say) then they have almost none of that original fender kick.

Bassguy1 · #13 02-10-2011, 07:51 PM

I find that the Lakland Joe Osborne flats are very similar to the Fender 9050 set.

88ric2030 · #14 02-10-2011, 08:28 PM

I tried the old Fender flats years ago and didn't like the feel. Of course back them I was not as experienced playing flats as I am now, and my opinion might be different nowadays. I would agree that the GHS Precisions are tonally similar to what I remember, but feel much nicer and lower tension. Try them, I think you'll be pleased.

RCCollins · #15 02-10-2011, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luckydog

Its funny. To me the old fenders were unique. Unlike other flats. Very very powerful attack with a thick tone. But had a little bit of click or something with the attack. To me they had the thump of labellas but more kick in the gut punch in the initial attack. Ghs are a little smoother and lack the powerful kick that the fenders had. If the new fenders are like chromes (which some say) then they have almost none of that original fender kick.

I agree with all of your descriptions here. The GHS are also (as someone else mentioned below) a bit lower tension. The fact is that NO strings will really replace the old 9050s, which I find frustrating.

Fine Cut · #16 02-11-2011, 02:41 AM

Wait, they discontinued the 9050s? Not cool. Those are my go-to flats, good thing I have a set of lights in my gig bag. Are the new flats anything line the 9050s?

jasper383 · #17 02-11-2011, 06:20 AM

I have tried them all: the Rotos, to my ears, are the closest to the old Fender 9050s.

The old 9050s were unique.

The GHS and Lakland strings are essentially the same strings, and aren't like the old Fenders.

The new Fender flats are so close to Chromes, that I can't tell any difference at all. I'm sure there was some change in metal makeup or something, but they are really close.

RCCollins · #18 02-11-2011, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasper383

I have tried them all: the Rotos, to my ears, are the closest to the old Fender 9050s.

The old 9050s were unique.

The GHS and Lakland strings are essentially the same strings, and aren't like the old Fenders.

The new Fender flats are so close to Chromes, that I can't tell any difference at all. I'm sure there was some change in metal makeup or something, but they are really close.

i suspect that only the gauge distinguishes the new 9050s from Chromes