Predicament

[SamanthaCay]

So like the title says I've got a bit of a predicament.
For the last four or so years I've been using fender nylon filament wound 7120's
I have come to love these strings for a number of reasons and now they are discontinued.

I've done a bit of research and now that it is almost time for a new set I'm still not sure where to turn.
I tried a set of D'Addario half rounds thinking those might do the trick and was very disappointed with the feel of these, way to rough IMO.
I've also tried fender tape wound 9120's in the past and although they're not to bad tone wise and in feel I don't like the tension and I also don't like the weird gauges.
Another possibility I'm considering is a set of ti flats as I've tried these in the past and I know that at least for the first few months they will keep their brightness enough to be satisfactory.
The problem with that rout is the expense.

Now here is what I like about my 7120's
Low tension.
Low string noise.
Slick feel (I play fretless so this so this is very important)
Fairly bright tone, much brighter then most flats.
Very well articulated from string to string.
A wide range of response, as in they can sound anywhere from very mild and quiet to loud and in your face quite well.
Nice to my fingerboard (also somewhat important on fretless and more so on my 72 fender which I don't wish to resurface if I can help it)
low in price at around $36 per set.

So with all this said, my question is what's out their that is going to get me in the ball park of 7120's.
A low price is not absolutely necessary although cheaper is always a benefit.
I would really love to hear from any of you who have used 7120's and have found a good and/or better alternative and why.

Thanks in advance for any help you may provide here,
Samantha.

[darkstorm]

For modern coated strings the elixers get lots of fans though I dont like them msyelf. Rotosound nexus or DR neon would be my pick for coated strings. The roto's though do have a tendency to show string coating wearoff if you use a pick. I use heavy gauge pick and the dr neons have shown no noticeable coating wear in near 6 months of use. Having said this, I'm gonna geauss that the elixers are gonna be closest to the fenders you was using.

[SamanthaCay]

That's an interesting idea I hadn't really thought of, thanks!
I used to use Elixers several years ago on my fretted bass I was playing at the time.
I remember liking the old poly web ones better and was kinda turned off when they went to the newer, thiner nano version.
I guess my biggest concern with coated round wounds would be the string noise factor.
Which in retrospect is probably something I could learn or rather re-learn to deal with.
So in regards to coated round wounds (excluding DR neons which I don't like the look of at least on my bass) what is the thickest coated string out there?

[One Drop]

Fender - Nylon 7120 L 070-100 Nylon, Filament Roundwound : Strings

NEW Fender 7120 Nylon Filament Bass Strings .70 - .100 | eBay

Bass Parts Resource*:: Genuine Fender Nylon Tapewound Bass Strings

etc.

[Bassman316]

^ Nice finds.

I once had a set of these strings. Unique in feel and sound. A .070 gauge G takes a bit getting used to, however.

[One Drop]

Originally Posted by Bassman316

^ Nice finds.

I once had a set of these strings. Unique in feel and sound. A .070 gauge G takes a bit getting used to, however.

30 seconds on Google, no biggie!

You can lead a horse to nylon filament strings, but...

[TOOL460002]

I know you said you don't like the look of the dr neons, but I was playing with another bassist and a drummer, and we swapped basses for a bit. I play dr high beams, and the neons are just a bit heavier. Its a minimal difference. Harmonics sound great and they are pretty light. Of course I worked up a blister after a couple hours, not being used to the friction of the coating, but they sounded and felt really really close to the high beams. Are all the colors that bad (I played pink ones... not my first choice...).

[ChemDave]

Yes, I also really like the 7120's, too and am not happy that Fender changed its string source and discontinued them. I got on to them about three years ago and now am doing my best to take care of them as best as I am able after I finish a gig. Best advice I can provide and backing up others in this thread, check eBay for them. Some vendors are selling them as NOS (new old stock)...I am grabbing them up on a regular basis and stockpiling them! They are brighter in tone than nylon tapewounds (for example, LaBella "nylon flats," 760's, that I use on my Godin A-4) and really sound great on acoustic-electric basses. The reason is that these strings are basically ground roundwounds (like D'Addario Half Rounds) that are nylon roundwounds that have been "sanded down." Most basses will need some nut slot filing for the 0.070 G string to fit, but I do not find these G's difficult to negotiate at all. As others have said they are lower tension (possibly requiring some truss rod adjustments) and do not rip up fretboards or damage frets. The 7120's are well worth the effort it requires to find them.