Tommy, with all due respect, I believe your experience was a combination of two problems: 1) the bass probably needed a fresh setup with some fret crowning, nut tweaking and truss rod adjusting to bring everything to the fore, and 2) sounds like it had some typical shop wear on it. Since they are so inexpensive, I hope you'll consider giving them a chance on your own bass with your own preferred setup. My bass has a rosewood board and growls well.
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FENDER 9050CL FLATS NOW AVAILABLE AT JUST STRINGS!
- Thread starter iiipopes
- Start date
These strings are, if anything, warm and growly. They start off a bit zingy, maybe, but that hardly seems to last long.
The lovely sound of previous Fender 9050 series :
YouTube - Flatwound String Comparison on my P-Bass
YouTube - Flatwound String Comparison on my P-Bass
I just had the same experience today with my new 2011 American Special P bass. The 9050CL set is perfect.
I've been on a string binge lately and had some of these new Fenders on for a couple weeks.
Now, I am NOT suggesting these are Chromes. As it's been stated over and over D'Addario is NOT making these strings for Fender. But coincidentally: I dislike them in exactly the same way I dislike Chromes, the way they sound and look almost exactly the same, the way they feel almost exactly the same, the way they use the famous D'Addario style color-coded ball ends, they way they are clacky and zingy.
I'm glad I tried them and that so many people love 'em, that's great. Just not for me.
Now, I am NOT suggesting these are Chromes. As it's been stated over and over D'Addario is NOT making these strings for Fender. But coincidentally: I dislike them in exactly the same way I dislike Chromes, the way they sound and look almost exactly the same, the way they feel almost exactly the same, the way they use the famous D'Addario style color-coded ball ends, they way they are clacky and zingy.
I'm glad I tried them and that so many people love 'em, that's great. Just not for me.
Clacky and zingy? Man, our ears must need to be calibrated to each other to get the same impression, I don't get any "clacky" or "zingy" out of these strings.
FWIW, my ears definitely need to be calibrated.
Just one person's opinion, but yeah, I did not think they sounded at all the way they are described in this thread (which is what enticed me to buy them in the first place).
Just one person's opinion, but yeah, I did not think they sounded at all the way they are described in this thread (which is what enticed me to buy them in the first place).
Just ordered a set along with some Thomastiks (they are the current flatwound heavyweight champion title holder in my household)...we shall see
Got the strings a couple of days ago. I didn't do an extensive review but I'll add my impressions here.
The Fenders impressed me, a lot. In fact if I had just ordered them I'd be happy. I bought the lighter gauge (.42 .60 .80 .100) and they feel and sound great. They are less bright than the Thomastiks but not by much and they thump a little more, the notes don't have as much sustain. They are stainless steel whereas the Thomastiks are nickel, I usually hate stainless steel strings because they always feel "sticky" to me and these do feel more sticky than the TI's but I was used to them after about 10 minutes.
I still prefer the Thomastiks. If you like the feel of Thomastiks and how bright they are, I don't think the Fenders will win you over but I don't think you'll hate them either. If you're in the crowd that hates the tension and brightness of the Thomastiks definitely check these new Fender strings out. For the price they're a great deal and I really do like them. I'm keeping them on a jazz bass right now.
Not enough to kick the Thomastik's off the top of my list but definitely impressive.
The Fenders impressed me, a lot. In fact if I had just ordered them I'd be happy. I bought the lighter gauge (.42 .60 .80 .100) and they feel and sound great. They are less bright than the Thomastiks but not by much and they thump a little more, the notes don't have as much sustain. They are stainless steel whereas the Thomastiks are nickel, I usually hate stainless steel strings because they always feel "sticky" to me and these do feel more sticky than the TI's but I was used to them after about 10 minutes.
I still prefer the Thomastiks. If you like the feel of Thomastiks and how bright they are, I don't think the Fenders will win you over but I don't think you'll hate them either. If you're in the crowd that hates the tension and brightness of the Thomastiks definitely check these new Fender strings out. For the price they're a great deal and I really do like them. I'm keeping them on a jazz bass right now.
Not enough to kick the Thomastik's off the top of my list but definitely impressive.
I appreciate the kind words!
Kinda reviving this, but I just wanted you to know-I've recorded several things recently with the new Fender strings. One bass has 9050L flats, the other 7250L rounds.
Everything sounded fantastic! From what I can see as well, these rounds are holding they're sound, even after a lot of hard playing.
Once again Roger, you and your team hit a home run with these IMHO.
I just ordered a set of 9050-5M for my 35" Schecter. If they fit, I'll post my impressions.
Wow Tim, had I known you had a bass with the new Fender flats, maybe I'd have had you drag it out to the Melody TentKinda reviving this, but I just wanted you to know-I've recorded several things recently with the new Fender strings. One bass has 9050L flats, the other 7250L rounds.
Everything sounded fantastic! From what I can see as well, these rounds are holding they're sound, even after a lot of hard playing.
Once again Roger, you and your team hit a home run with these IMHO.
Thinking about trying them on my Fenders because Chromes are just too middy for me. I loved the old Fenders, though.Wow Tim, had I known you had a bass with the new Fender flats, maybe I'd have had you drag it out to the Melody Tent
Hey Jimmy, I would have been happy to do that for you-that would have gone better than the hand jive, and hula hoop contest!!
people compare the new Fenders to Chromes. I'm not sure about that, as I haven't played a set of Chromes in quite awhile. They seem a little bright at first, but IMHO they're settling down nicely. I'll keep you informed as to how they're working out.
And if you ever get a few days off, you can always come pay me a visit, so you can take your time giving those new Fenders a work out
Hey all, another question about these guys - I have a 34" Warwick and want to try these bad boys out. The headstock has a 3+2 configuration: should I purchase the 34" or 35" set?
My custom P-style bass is string-through-body at the bridge to a conventional headstock, and I use the standard 34" scale set; the E string just clears the nut before the silk starts. The top silks are long enough for just about any reasonable tuner configuration.
