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Fender 9050M Stainless Steel Flatwound

#41
As a long-time user of Chromes, I tried the Fender 9050ML on a whim, and because they were about 25% cheaper.

Other than being wound in the opposite direction of Chromes I really couldn't tell much difference at all...the Fenders may have been a tiny bit twangier at first, but that dissipated quickly. I've had them on for about two years now and they're gonna stay for at least that long some more.
 
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#42
Everybody Conga! Playing my Fender flat strung Blaze bass this afternoon. Something that had eluded me in the tone finally hit me. Conga. Yes, conga. That dry leathery percussive attack on a calfskin head of a conga, or perhaps a djembe. Very unique tone in a bass string. It's much like the dry wooden acoustic double bass type tone you get in a well settled in set of GHS Precision flats only leathery instead of woody. Both tones are very organic to the ear. Fresh from the tone garden. No pesticides. Non-GMO.
 
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#43
A miserably cold and dreary rainy election day here in Virginia. Hot tea, and finally some time to get back to my flat strung Blaze bass and some deep slow walking blues. These strings are 3+ months old now and sound to be well played in. The strings are now fully stretched & relaxed and are easier to play with noticeably more flexibility. Very nice to be sure. Tone & feel are excellent. These strings will remain on this bass for the rest of my life.
 
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#45
just checked my local CDN big chain's web site......the $ on these have gone up a lot!

......I'm sure I paid less than $30 not more than 2 years ago and they are up to $40 now (plus taxes)...eesh

couple of well known USA retailers online have them $25 or less

with the exchange they should be about $32
 
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#46
After playing GHS Balanced Nickels almost exclusively for a month, I broke out the Blaze bass for some flatwound sound. As much as I like high tension in my flats (a good thing) I gave myself quite a workout and can really feel it! :bassist: I love the leathery conga like percussive tone they've developed as they continue to play in over time. :thumbsup:
 
#47
i strung my 70s mim jazz with new fender 9050m flats last night, and i think i've found what i've been looking for (he said yet again). i've tried half-rounds (instantly dead - no kidding. dead on arrival. 2 sets. $50 fail), pressure wounds (meh), and chromes (initially promising, but too thumpy and muddy for what i'm seeking).

i like the tension in the 9050m set. i like putting effort into making bends, and i like the resistance the strings give as i have a pretty hard attack (fingers). it's like my bass is saying, "bring it. gimme what 'chu got. let's go."
i like the muted zing. i like to cut through without being too harsh or clanky (though i admit, when i want some clank, i like be able to get it, and with these strings, i can.). i know it's early, and the tonal characteristics will change as they settle, but i really like the 9050m set.

i have rounds on my #1 p-bass (a parts bass that plays great and that i absolutely abuse) and chromes on my '73p-bass (that's a good combo). i'm seriously considering putting a set of 9050m flats on my beater parts bass.

i recommend fender 9050m flats. good hunting!
 
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#48
Linnin said:
A miserably cold and dreary rainy election day here in Virginia. Hot tea, and finally some time to get back to my flat strung Blaze bass and some deep slow walking blues. These strings are 3+ months old now and sound to be well played in. The strings are now fully stretched & relaxed and are easier to play with noticeably more flexibility. Very nice to be sure. Tone & feel are excellent. These strings will remain on this bass for the rest of my life.
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Well I missed the six month mark, and here it is close to nine months. It also just so happens to be a miserably chilly and dreary rainy day. Am I living in England? I brought out the Blaze for a practice session, and thought about this thread. "It's just like Deja vu all over again!" ~ Yogi Berra

I've reread my tone remarks and really have nothing to add or subtract. It's all still there by the bucket full. The leathery conga head flavor spices it up. The deep rich attack is perfect for any reggae tune. I find myself grabbing this bass a lot. There is just something special about this combination of strings & pickup. After limbering up the strings a check on the tuner found them at perfect pitch. I think I tuned this bass last month sometime.

I'll be back for the one year report this summer.
 
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#50
mickebas said:
Anyone that has tested the new gauges of the Fender flats. I was disappointed to see the stnd 45-105 be discontinued. None of the new gauges seems logical to me... but then, I haven’t yet tested any.
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The 9050CL, 45-60-80-105, was discontinued, re-introduced and discontinued again in a matter of two years. Perfectly balanced both in tone and tension for my Fender Jazz. I still have the same set that has about 8 mths of usage but inactive right now.

I would use the 9050L, 45-60-80-100, on my P bass because the 100-E actually has a slightly cleaner (ie less muddy) tone with better note definition on my P.
 
#51
Ok. I actually had the somewhat of an industri standard gauges 45-65-85-105 on the last sets I bough and like their tension. It's pretty high and they feel more like 50-70-85-105 to me but i like that. Now I really don't know what to go for since it seems like Fender has mixed the gauges. On their website it says that the 9050CL set is 45-60-80-105 but the higher gauged 9050ML are 50-65-85-100. Why the heavier E string on the lighter set? Well, I guess I'll just have to try and see. Anyone with insight on wether this up and downsizing on their strings is because of change of delivering company or what's the idea behind it?
 
#52
mickebas said:
Anyone with insight on wether this up and downsizing on their strings is because of change of delivering company or what's the idea behind it?
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The CL & ML sets are actually discontinued, and you can't order them from Fender. They are still shown as there are still some of those sets 'out there' in the retail supply line. Only the 9050 Light and Medium sets are still offered. As far as I know D'Addario is still the contract string winder.
 
#53
mickebas said:
the 9050CL set is 45-60-80-105 but the higher gauged 9050ML are 50-65-85-100. Why the heavier E string on the lighter set?
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Linnin said:
Only the 9050 Light and Medium sets are still offered.
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The gauge selection for the ML set never made any sense to me from the beginning. 50G + 100E = Unbalance. Not surprised it's gone.

Sorry to see the CL gone but I can live with the L if I have to.
 
#54
Look at that...even more Fender flats talkin! They must be pretty awesome.
I heard a friends recorded bass today, strung with GHS Boomers! It was amazing! Chunky lows etc, but with grit and gristle etc...
Flats getting installed this afternoon. Have until 6pm to decide which set to try first...
 
#55
OK! It's time for a 1 year update :bassist: They still sound beautimus. I am playing this bass once a week for an hour or two so it isn't getting a daily workout and no studio recording sessions. It was still perfectly in tune when I checked after limbering up the strings with some chromatic runs. They sound truly fabulous. Better than when I first put them on. They still have wonderful sustain. The 'E' string has settled in marvelously well. Such depth is soul gratifying. The 0.090 'A' is just as amazing as the day it was strung. Maybe even moreso. The 0.055 'G' is still totally solid & powerful. Just a joy to play. I hope I live as long as these strings will. :bassist: Fenders Rock! :bassist:
 
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#60
Linnin said:
Thank You @bassist4dalord. :thumbsup: I don't think I've even been more disappointed by a stringset than tapewounds. Hate 'em & never again. Not ever, and I mean never.
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edencab said:
:)

D'addario tapes sound great and feel great on my Sterling SUB4 :thumbsup:
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The D’Addario Tapes are actually my favorite string. I’ve had the same set in my Ibanez AEB5E for five years and they’re never coming off. I’m torn between flats and Tapes for the Fretless
 
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