That is a myth that started when Fender re-formulated them a few years back.
There is nothing similar sounding to them at all.
Chromes: Lots of love. Great strings.
9050: Meh.....
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Chromes VS Fender Flats
- Thread starter Eric Kelly
- Start date
That is a myth that started when Fender re-formulated them a few years back.
There is nothing similar sounding to them at all.
Chromes: Lots of love. Great strings.
9050: Meh.....
Do I have to restate this every time, or is someone else finally going to look closely enough to see the differences between Fender and D'Addario:
Fender - grey, winding the opposite of Chromes, the wrap is narrower especially on the E string, core-to-wrap ratio is different, etc.
D'Addario - shiner, winding the opposite of Fender, the wrap is wider and the strings are less flexible.
Fender - grey, winding the opposite of Chromes, the wrap is narrower especially on the E string, core-to-wrap ratio is different, etc.
D'Addario - shiner, winding the opposite of Fender, the wrap is wider and the strings are less flexible.
I can understand how the size of the wrap wire and the core-to-wrap ratio would affect the overall feel and playability.
But I'm very curious about the fact these two are "wound in opposite directions" - whether it has any bearing on the tonal quality or the playability. Any significance there?
Eric, I know this doesn't apply to the two brands you're talking about; but for fresh-out-of-the-pack-broken-in-sounding-flats, you should try GHS Precision Flats. I love them. I love Chromes also, but only after they've been on for about a month or more. But the GHS flats sound just right (to me, anyway) right out of the pack. About half of my current basses are wearing Chromes, and half GHS Precision Flats.
Well, the problem has been cured. 9050s came off and a new set of chromes put on. Wow!!! What a difference. No Clangy Zingy metallic sounding ********. Just warm robust low end thump. These are going to sound amazing in about 4 weeks. Can't wait to break these in. But already 1000% improvement over 9050s right out of the package.
In the future I will try GHS precision flats on one of my basses to compare to chromes. But that will be a LONG time from now as I plan on leaving these on for years.
In the future I will try GHS precision flats on one of my basses to compare to chromes. But that will be a LONG time from now as I plan on leaving these on for years.
- Sep 14, 2012
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I have tried Chromes on a few basses and I personally don't like them at all. Ive tried the Fenders once and they seemed a lot better.
I could make a bad joke about it does for me, since I am left handed playing a right handed bass, but in reality, probably not.
Yes, apparently so. If I did not have GHS Precision Flatwounds on my Fender Precision, I would have Fender flats for sure.
I would definitely agree with the idea that the two of you as lefties can benefit from the fact the Fender Flats are wound the opposite way!
(Sorry I couldn't resist.)
Does this mean I'm not wrapped too tight?I would definitely agree with the idea that the two of you as lefties can benefit from the fact the Fender Flats are wound the opposite way!
(Sorry I couldn't resist.)
Wow, they sell pre-used packs now?
I've seen Fenderbash threads..I guess it was only a matter of time before we saw Fenderstringbash threads.
I cannot wait for the Fendercelluloidplectrumbash threads. I'll have plenty to say then.
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Does this mean I'm not wrapped too tight?
That's correct, sir. I don't find you too stiff at all; you're just wound the wrong way, but that's quite easily forgiven.
Just bought a set of Fender flats 45-105. To me they sound and feel like Chromes at least now when new. Too brite and clanky and a bit too stiff... and I'm not talking tension, it's just something about how they react to my right hand touch. If i buy a flatwound string I want a warm, articulate, organic sound and feel and I don't find that in the Fenders, Chromes or Rotosound flats.
I will keep them on for a while though to give them a chance of breaking in and maybe I'll have to reconsider my opinion later on. But for now Fender flats and chromes are the same string to me.
I will keep them on for a while though to give them a chance of breaking in and maybe I'll have to reconsider my opinion later on. But for now Fender flats and chromes are the same string to me.
I hate the way the Fender flats sound when new. As you say, very bright and clangy - too much like the Chromes.
That said, I would suggest you give them at least three months before passing any judgement. The initial metallic clang will eventually settle into a fairly pleasing full-bodied low-mid grind. Chromes and Fenders do share some family resemblance, but my experience with them tells me they're not identical twins.
Meanwhile, for something with a "warm, articulate, organic sound and feel", I would recommend the Sadowsky Black Label Lite (40-100).
Yes, I've been a Sadowsky flats or LaBellas 760FS guy for years and that's probably where I'll end up again
Just thought I would try something 'new' and leave my comfort-zone.
Right now I think I want to try the new Sadowsky Blue label flats. I like the fact that they're supposed to be warmer with more midrange, but as always I need to play them for awhile before I know.
As with the Fender flats that has been highly recommended.... so I'll try to leave them on for a couple of month and see where they'll go.
Just thought I would try something 'new' and leave my comfort-zone.
Right now I think I want to try the new Sadowsky Blue label flats. I like the fact that they're supposed to be warmer with more midrange, but as always I need to play them for awhile before I know.
As with the Fender flats that has been highly recommended.... so I'll try to leave them on for a couple of month and see where they'll go.
The Fender 9050s are definitely not for those who are looking for a traditional flatwound sound and feel. Neither are they for every bass. I love them on my J for their throaty grind and a hint of growl, but not so much on my P.
Just to add, of all flatwound strings I have tried, I thought the current 9050 Fenders sounded the absolute worst when brand new. Hideous. Unusable. Never, ever put a brand new set on right before a gig! They really need some time to break in, more than Chromes, more than anything I'm aware of. They sound quite nice, I think, after that.
