Why do you use Fender strings?

[mmbongo]

Sorry, I just have to ask this. It just boggles my mind that people in this forum actually use Fender strings. I've never seen anyone outside of here actually buy Fender strings on purpose, and normally the first thing anyone does with a Fender bass is cut the strings off to put on a better set.

I just have to ask, why do folks use Fender strings? Only because they came with your Fender bass and you're afraid to change? Figure Fender uses them so they're the best? I have to know!

[cbrophy]

The Fender strings I use, 8250M, work fine...no problems here!

[OriginalSnub]

I haven't used any of the other fender strings but I do like the tapewound set I have on my jazz currently. I prefer them over the roto tapes I had tried a while back.

[C.Linton]

I couldn't tell you as I don't use 'em 'cause I don't like 'em. The very first set of Fender (flats) I tried some 30 years ago, the wrapping on the E string unravelled the second I cut it to length while installing it. That kind of put me off them for a long time. I just didn't like the sound or feel of the strings that came on my MIA Jazz or my two Squiers (all rounds), Kinda rough and tinny, and the set of Fender flats I got as a stopgap until I could get a set of GHS' for my VM J, felt very rough for flats and toneless. I also don't get why people get Fender strings, I simply haven't been impressed by them. All a matter of personal prefenece, I suppose. They're just not for me.

[RCCollins]

The discontinued 9050s were the best flats available. And I used to like the rounds just fine, too.

[DavePlaysBass]

The older 7250 rounds are a great nickel round string. They do low and punchy as well as any round wound I have ever played. I hear they have changed the forumula in the last year which is a real shame. I also like the fact they sell a medium light set.

[madmatt]

Originally Posted by mmbongo

Sorry, I just have to ask this. It just boggles my mind that people in this forum actually use Fender strings. I've never seen anyone outside of here actually buy Fender strings on purpose, and normally the first thing anyone does with a Fender bass is cut the strings off to put on a better set.

I just have to ask, why do folks use Fender strings? Only because they came with your Fender bass and you're afraid to change? Figure Fender uses them so they're the best? I have to know!

I have always used Fender strings. I have tried others, but I always go back to Fender.
I do not understand how they got such a bad rep. I imagine there are still a lot of people out there who think if it costs more it must be better.
Fender's cost less than the "boutique" brands, but they sound good to me. The only problem I ever had was with their older/recently discontinued flats, but the new flats are holding up fine.
Right now I am using some 9050's on my Fender P's, and some 7250's on my Fender Jaguar.
But I am not saying there are not better strings out there for any given application, but who has hundreds of dollars to try them all? TI flats go for about fifty bucks. I can get two sets of Fender flats for that and have some spare change for a decent meal.
Likewise it boggles my mind that more people do NOT use Fender's.

[CapnSev]

The 7150 pure nickels sound awesome when the zing wears off. They are probably the warmest, fattest rounds out there.

[Double Agent]

I am a huge of DR strings for both guitar and bass. However, the old Fender 7250s have a great, smooth, flatwound-like tone when broken in, but they get a little . The older they get the better they sound. They are a great roundwound string for players who like flats IMO.

I haven't played the new 7250s, so I don't know if this is still true of them or not. FWIW, "better" is a very subjective term. Just because other strings are more popular or more expensive doesn't mean that they are actually any better. Also, if it was only TBers that were buying Fender strings, they probably would have stopped making strings a long time ago.

[steamthief]

Originally Posted by DavePlaysBass

The older 7250 rounds are a great nickel round string. They do low and punchy as well as any round wound I have ever played. I hear they have changed the forumula in the last year which is a real shame. I also like the fact they sell a medium light set.

Tonewise, I agree with this. I also like them because they feel great, fairly smooth to the touch and nice tension. When Fender made the packaging switch, I bought ten sets of the old formula on clearance.

FWIW, I've used GHS, DR, Dean Markley, EBMM and D'Addario. The 7250 is what I like best. Then again, I don't see FMIC as a big bad villain that manufactures crap, like so many here on talkbass do.

[mmbongo]

Originally Posted by steamthief

Then again, I don't see FMIC as a big bad villain that manufactures crap, like so many here on talkbass do.

Well I don't see them as 'villains', I just see the string situation more as an afterthought for them. They have branded strings just because they know people will buy them because they say 'Fender' on them, and they don't care that there are better, cheaper strings out there. I guess some people don't care enough to experiment and just use whatever comes on the bass. What a shame!

[faulknersj]

OP, why WOULDN'T someone use Fender Strings? What's so different about em? There are only a few companies that manufacture strings which are then repackaged under different brand names. String brands don't really matter or differ that much other than the distinction between flats and rounds. Great players can make any strings sound good. Accomplished fingers make for the best sounding strings.

[BassNoob1]

I hate Fender strings. I use D'Addarios because I love the sound and they feel great. For the first few days they're really twangy and I can't stand them, but after they mellow out I love the tone.

[Rockstar]

Originally Posted by DavePlaysBass

The older 7250 rounds are a great nickel round string. They do low and punchy as well as any round wound I have ever played. I hear they have changed the forumula in the last year which is a real shame. I also like the fact they sell a medium light set.

Were the older 7250s you're talking about the ones with black silk? I loved those, but I ordered 7250s recently, and they came with no silk, and don't feel nearly as good as I remember.

Where are the black silk fenders?!

[DavePlaysBass]

Originally Posted by Rockstar

Were the older 7250s you're talking about the ones with black silk? I loved those, but I ordered 7250s recently, and they came with no silk, and don't feel nearly as good as I remember.

Where are the black silk fenders?!

The black silks are no more

And I believe the new ones are made by D'Addario. I believe the new ones have the colored ball ends that D'Addario has patented. But that does not mean they are the same as the XLs. However, from I hear about the new Fender flats, the sound descriptions are a lot like Chromes.

[hasbeen]

Originally Posted by mmbongo

Well I don't see them as 'villains', I just see the string situation more as an afterthought for them. They have branded strings just because they know people will buy them because they say 'Fender' on them, and they don't care that there are better, cheaper strings out there. I guess some people don't care enough to experiment and just use whatever comes on the bass. What a shame!

I can assure you, they weren't an afterthought. I designed the current Fender string program...packaging, spec., soup to nuts. I took two years with no vacation (my family was not happy) when all was said and done.

FWIW, many hear might not remember Trace Elliot strings, but I put that program together too and still consult with several different brands.

I sincerely take no offense that you don't like the strings (strings are very personal) but, it certainly wasn't an afterthought.

[patRICK4003]

They're roundwounds are pretty good, practically identical to D'Addarios. The thing is, D'Addarios are half the price.

[plekan]

I like the Fender flats for the sound and for the money. And with my flats, I almost never have to change them. There are better flats out there, but you pay twice as much. It's all preference, but I think you can make up the tone in your fingers.

[pacojas]

OP,... no offense, but if you don't like Fender strings then i just might question your experience level. i personally think they're top-notch for the normal reasons. their medium-lights are my 1st choice in that category!!!

they are very comfortable, long lasting, and very articulate. maybe the demo basses at stores may need fresh strings at purchase. if you're replacing them on a fresh out of the box bass,... send them to me! (i'll pay postage)
so, it's very subjective and your mileage definitely is varied.

EDIT: i must apologize to the OP about his experience level. i just scanned his profile and discovered that this dude is a self-proclaimed Fender-Hater!!!!

CASE CLOSED!!!!
(i can't stop lolz)

[derridiandrift]

Fender 7250 strings sound great. In Canada, Fender strings are cheaper than D'Addarios and sound the same (don't know who makes them for Fender, but they could be the same strings to my ears).