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Fender 9050M Stainless Steel Flatwound

#61
I asked the following in another thread with not too much success :)

How they compare to Rotosound 77's sound? I really like Rotosound flats as they're not dead as D'Addario Chromes, to my ears they sound between EXLs and Chromes, and the two or three sets I've used so far seems to be "inmune" to sound changes after they break. At least I've noticed no changes after using the for a full year on my main bass.

I tried them (Rotosound 77s) on my Epi Thunderbird Vintage Pro but I felt them too much dark so I re-strung it with EXLs. If those Fender 9050s (the CL is the gauge for me but as I've read they're unavailable. No problem) are as good as you say I'd try them with the Thunderbird.

Thanks.
 
#62
Kikegg said:
I asked the following in another thread with not too much success :)

How they compare to Rotosound 77's sound? I really like Rotosound flats as they're not dead as D'Addario Chromes, to my ears they sound between EXLs and Chromes, and the two or three sets I've used so far seems to be "inmune" to sound changes after they break. At least I've noticed no changes after using the for a full year on my main bass.

I tried them (Rotosound 77s) on my Epi Thunderbird Vintage Pro but I felt them too much dark so I re-strung it with EXLs. If those Fender 9050s (the CL is the gauge for me but as I've read they're unavailable. No problem) are as good as you say I'd try them with the Thunderbird.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I find the Fender Flats to be a little on the dark side as well, once broken in, at least on my basses, so not sure if they would be what you' looking for..
Their Strength, imo, is their beautiful mids, mid-mids primarily, if that makes sense, good low mids as well, but not overwhelmingly, high mids to cut through not so much, overall giving a very warm, beautiful "Fender-Sound" ; )
..and easier on the Hands, less stiff than some other Flats (Rotosounds, Chromes, GHS, La Bellas) i would say..
 
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#63
I ordered one set yesterday. I just got a Classic 50 Fender P with a huge neck.
Never took huge necks under consideration since I tried one. Currently it has a set of very dead rounds on. They are higher tension than the strong I usually play (DR Sunbeams and TI Jazz flats) and I have to say, I like them more! Just don’t like the round wound feel
 
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#64
Hey @Linnin

So I’ve read through this thread you sent me.

It’s a hard one to decide... I’ve still got the balanced nickels on order... but I’m really tempted to experiment with these too!

Reading through your review on the BNs, and your review here, Im coming to the conclusion that these strings, although being VASTLY different construction wise (metal, wrap, core, gauge) they seem to have very similar tonal characteristics, a strong bass, thick mids and smooth glassy highs.

Now normally I would be leaning more towards rounds over flats, because I prefer the sustain of a roundwound string over the thump of a flatwound. Like you, the last thing I want in a flatwound is a dull thumper sound. From what I’ve read, these have a very roundwound-ish type sustain and attack, not so much thumpy, but they ring out more. But they still have that deep bass you get out of a flatwound. And the top end is not completely dead either, but it’s not overly bright like daddario chromes. It’s just well balanced.

On the other hand, balanced nickels, as many describe them, have a deep bass tone and warmth like flats, but being rounds they still have some snap up top, and the midrange is really thick sounding. I’ve only been able to hear what these strings sound like on a p bass, so it’s still quite hard to tell how it would sound on my jazz.

Am I correct in saying that these strings will offer a very similar tone? Is the biggest difference in the feel? I’m having a hard time distinguishing which string would be brighter, because the Fenders are bright for a flat, and the BNs are mellow for a round. Same goes for the bass.

And before I hit send, which string set retains its overall tone the longest? (I don’t just mean brightness, but overall performance in the frequency spectrum. Like how long do the flats to before they start getting thumpy on the bottom?)


I promise... this is the LAST time I you about either of these strings! Sorry to be a pest. :(
It’s just that the next set I get will Ben staying on my bass for a while.
 
#65
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#66
sneaking in some shots
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P7160005 (2).JPG
 
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#67
About two years ago I decided to buy fender 9050 flats. Hated them. Threw them in a box with other strings. About 3-4 months later I thought I give it another try. Didn't like the feeling and the zing of it. Got some wet and dry sandpaper and sanded it supersmooth starting with 800, 1200, 1500 and finally 2000. Put it on my jazz bass and it's been on it for a good year and half plus. It feels, plays amazing. I used LaBellas and Thomastiks prior. All I'm saying that after all this I can say very confidently that these fender 9050 are not just good but beautiful strings. I go further and say I love them heaps more than any other flats I've ever had. I play upright so I'm used to flats anyway. Fender 9050 on my jazz bass has the right tension, right feel. I reckon it'll last for another 10+ years if not longer. Glad I pulled them outta the box.
 
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#68
Very excited as I just purchased a set of 9050M to put on a Yamaha BBN4 111. One of their lower end basses about 20 years ago ? My buddy picked it up at a flea market last week for 80 bucks (just sent pics and dealt with the seller over the phone).

I have D'Adario chromes on my Squier SS and Ibanez SR300 AND like them. My first flats. I was happy to see my local shop had some variety and looking at the Dia thought it might make for more balance.

Buying old used bass over the phone, make sure to pick up flats before I even have it in my possession, what is happening to me ?
 
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#72
An old thread, but I'll chime in. The original post is exactly my experience with the 9050M's. Fantastic stings ! I've had them on my Lakland 44-01 for about a year now, and they just sound better every time I pick it up. I love the tone, the feel and yes, the tension. The perfect string , IMHO. I just wish they came in a 5-string set, so I could put them on my Yamaha, as well.

Can't praise these strings, high enough. :bassist:
 
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#73
aus_bass said:
An old thread, but I'll chime in. The original post is exactly my experience with the 9050M's. Fantastic stings ! I've had them on my Lakland 44-01 for about a year now, and they just sound better every time I pick it up. I love the tone, the feel and yes, the tension. The perfect string , IMHO. I just wish they came in a 5-string set, so I could put them on my Yamaha, as well.

Can't praise these strings, high enough. :bassist:
Click to expand...

Is Lakland's neck suffering under the tremendous tension?
 
#74
Phaidrus said:
Is Lakland's neck suffering under the tremendous tension?
Click to expand...

Nope. They feel "stiff", but the tension is not that bad. Not as bad as La Bella's, of the same gauge. Never had to adjust the relief on the Lakland, no matter what strings I put on it.

Anyway, I have moved these strings to my Squier Jazz, and they sound even better. Put my 14 year old GHS Precisions on the Lakland. Smooth, warm, chocolatety, tonal bliss. :D
 
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#75
Phaidrus said:
Tension of D and G of the 9050M set is on the high side but, according to my subjective feel, rather low for their huge gauge (.070 and .055). In fact D and G strings of smaller gauge by LaBella and Pyramid seem to have higher tension. Also E and A of said set are pretty low tension, especially the E.

What I don't know is how long is their break in time. They are on my Pbass for about four months, I think, with like an hour a day playing time, or perhaps a bit less on average. Have they already reached maturity or not yet?
Click to expand...

@Phaidrus, hope you don't mind the idea I copied your post from my old 9050CL thread into this one, which I think is more appropriate as it is specifically on the 9050M.

I think four months is plenty enough for the initial "break-in". That doesn't necessarily mean they've finished "maturing and aging", though. But I would imagine the process of maturing from this point on will be very slow and gradual.
 
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#76
michael_t said:
@Phaidrus, hope you don't mind the idea I copied your post from my old 9050CL thread into this one, which I think is more appropriate as it is specifically on the 9050M.

I think four months is plenty enough for the initial "break-in". That doesn't necessarily mean they've finished "maturing and aging", though. But I would imagine the process maturing from this point on will be very slow and gradual.
Click to expand...

No, I don't mind at all. Thanks for taking the time to sort it out.

As of maturing and aging, well then I suppose they will remain a modern-ish sounding set of flats of all-round character. Or something along these lines. In my case, this is, well, I don't know, perhaps neither good nor bad. By the way, is there a set of flats that matures "indefinitely"?

EDIT: Do you think the 9050M set is closer to GHS Precision 3050M (45-105) or 3050 (55-105) in terms of tension?
 
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#77
Phaidrus said:
As of maturing and aging, well then I suppose they will remain a modern-ish sounding set of flats of all-round character. Or something along these lines. In my case, this is, well, I don't know, perhaps neither good nor bad. By the way, is there a set of flats that matures "indefinitely"?
Click to expand...

I've always described the Fender 9050s as "all-purpose, middle-of-the-road flats". I think you're basically saying the same thing. ;)

Aren't all flats supposed to "mature indefinitely" to one degree or another? :D
 
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#78
michael_t said:
I've always described the Fender 9050s as "all-purpose, middle-of-the-road flats". I think you're basically saying the same thing. ;)

Aren't all flats supposed to "mature indefinitely" to one degree or another? :D
Click to expand...
Yes and yes.;):laugh:

May I ask again, do you think the 9050M set is closer to GHS Precision 3050M (45-105) or 3050 (55-105) in terms of tension?
 
#80
michael_t said:
Since I have no personal experience with any of those three sets, I can only guess... I would say GHS 3050 (55-105) would be closer to 9050M both in tension and playing feel based on the identical gauges.
Click to expand...
I suppose so, yes. I'm trying to stay disciplined and not take the 9050M off that Pbass in my search for a deeper tone. I like how they feel and also like the green silks. They probably deserve a few more months of patience and playing time.
 

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