Difference between Fender 7250s and D’Addario XLs

[MrRiff]

I haven’t use D’Addario bass stings in decades but very happy with the made by D’addario Fender 7250’s. Would like opinions from players who used both as far as any differences. I used DRs nickel LoRiders for a while but came back to the 7250s. I remember the XLs as being zingy and clanky and was shocked to find the mellow fat sounding 7250s are D’addario, so they must be different strings, I guess?? Thanks

 

[onda'bass]

They are made by D'addario but not the same. I love xls

 

[MrRiff]

They are made by D'addario but not the same. I love xls

What style do you play? I’m looking for mellow rounds old school.I’m sure for slap the xls kill it.

 

[onda'bass]

I play lots of different styles. Mellow would send me to sunbeams, boomers, or even pressure wounds.

 

[michael_t]

I remember the XLs as being zingy and clanky and was shocked to find the mellow fat sounding 7250s are D’addario, so they must be different strings, I guess??

Fender strings are made by D'Addario but to Fender's specs, so they're not identical twins. The same goes to D'A Chromes Flats vs. Fender 9050 Flats. Some family resemblance but different tonal characters.

 

[BigDrew]

I use Fender strings on my Fender instruments and I think they work really well together. I feel like the XLs are maybe a bit brighter a just a bit stiffer than the Fenders…. But this is going off memory. I also remember the differences not being that large. I like both sets though.

 

[J Wilson]

Not a huge difference, possibly to me the Fenders sound a bit more 'metallic'. For me they're basically interchangeable, and which one I can find a deal on is the one I'll buy next time. Nickel rounds are my preference

 

[mikeswals]

I play lots of different styles. Mellow would send me to sunbeams, boomers, or even pressure wounds.

Yup, Boomers that are a couple months old for sure, very mellowed out.

 

[tindrum]

Not a huge difference, possibly to me the Fenders sound a bit more 'metallic'. For me they're basically interchangeable, and which one I can find a deal on is the one I'll buy next time. Nickel rounds are my preference

Yeah the Fenders are kinda snarly in a stainless steel way, which is pretty unique in a lot of nickel strings. Definitely a little more “bite” if that makes sense. Not knocking on D’Addario XLs in any way but the Fenders have a little more personality in my experience.

 

[J Wilson]

Yeah the Fenders are kinda snarly in a stainless steel way, which is pretty unique in a lot of nickel strings. Definitely a little more “bite” if that makes sense. Not knowing on D’Addario XLs in any way but the Fenders have a little more personality in my experience.

OK, so I wasn't hearing things ! On the other hand, the XL's seem to last longer, so, really, it's flip a coin.

At times I've bought the 'Original Nickel' (the 7150's) to put on the Squier Jazz. At one time, Fender did not offer a 7150 five-string set, but they did sell a separate 7150 .130 B-string you could buy separately and add to the four string set, but they quit that several years ago. 7150's are noticeably warmer than the 7250's or XL's. Supposedly their OG string formula from the 50's/60's.

 

[Yahboy]

For settle in tone, I prefer 7250

 

[hasbeen]

I designed and/or re-spec'd and/or resourced all the Fender strings. They are indeed different from D'Addario. For certain sets, the current "winder" was able to copy the original specs exactly. For others, they weren't which made I had to redesign the string to get as close to the originals while being able to adhere to new manufacturing processes.