Fender Flats Have Changed

[jasper383]

I just received a new set of Fender 9050L flatwound strings. Fender appears to have changed their flats a little bit.

The lights are now 45-100, and not 45-95. I tried this new gauge because I like the Chromes in that gauge, but wanted a bit more thump.

The silk is now at both ends, and not just the bridge end. It's also a different shade of green, a lighter green.

The ball ends are now colored based on the gauge. Along the lines of D'Addario strings, I guess.

The feel and sound of them is smoother than I remember Fenders being in the past. The last couple sets of 9050s I have had have been on the uneven or "rough" side for flats; these are quite smooth.

They also sound a bit smoother right out of the gate than past 9050s. I know they will darken over time, and I'm curious whether Fender has changed the formula entirely here. Time will tell.

 

[Beefbass]

I should be receiving a set of these soon. I hope they've changed for the better. I like Fender strings, but I can swear that the last couple of sets that I got, something was not right with them. Your review makes me feel a bit better now, we'll see how it goes. I'll post a follow up when I get them.

 

[jasper383]

They also say Made in USA. They used to say made in Mexico with US components, I believe.

 

[Tusec]

Funny you mention the silks being new. I just bought a set of 7150s and was surprised when they had silk at the headstock end -- gold no less. I was thinking all Fenders were bare at the headstock. Is this a new thing across all their various flavors?

 

[jasper383]

It was just the flats, I think, that were bare at the headstock end.

they look much nicer now.

 

[rekesbass]

I think I heard from my local music store that D'Addario is making Fender strings now.

 

[groovenut57]

I think I heard from my local music store that D'Addario is making Fender strings now.

Hmmm...interesting.

If this is true (can someone verify, please?), does this mean the new Fender flats are what we commonly know as "Chromes"??

 

[Beefbass]

Hmmm...interesting.

If this is true (can someone verify, please?), does this mean the new Fender flats are what we commonly know as "Chromes"??[/QU

I'd like to know this as well.

 

[stflbn]

Chromes are far from smooth or smoother when new though. Crispest or near crispest flats out there.

If the new Fenders seem smoother than they used to be when new, they're definitely not Chromes. Because the old Fenders were much mellower than Chromes.

 

[Blues Bass Man]

Like T-Bone Walker said in the 40's "Times Is Tuff And The Hustle Is On". I think all this string stuff is a whole bunch of hype. Are D'Addario Chromes really that much different than the "Old" Fender Flatwounds ? Do you really care ? I think a string is a string is a string,you do with it what ya do.....so do it.

 

[rumblethump]

I disagree. Strings affect your tone dramatically. Fender strings do not sound at all like Chromes. Flats don't sound anything like round wounds. etc. I find if I'm not happy with my tone, changing string brands/types is the most economical way to get closer to my tone nirvana, and lots cheaper than changing pickups.

Like T-Bone Walker said in the 40's "Times Is Tuff And The Hustle Is On". I think all this string stuff is a whole bunch of hype. Are D'Addario Chromes really that much different than the "Old" Fender Flatwounds ? Do you really care ? I think a string is a string is a string,you do with it what ya do.....so do it.

 

[Dave Vader]

The silk is now at both ends, and not just the bridge end. It's also a different shade of green, a lighter green.

The ball ends are now colored based on the gauge. Along the lines of D'Addario strings, I guess.

I got a new set of these about a month ago, my vocalist was impressed that I'd got green wraps on the strings for my green P-bass. Was hard not to point out that that wasn't why I'd bought them.
Would still like the strings nack in separate wrappers though, makes my spares clang around more once one's out of the bag.

 

[One Drop]

Like T-Bone Walker said in the 40's "Times Is Tuff And The Hustle Is On". I think all this string stuff is a whole bunch of hype. Are D'Addario Chromes really that much different than the "Old" Fender Flatwounds ? Do you really care ? I think a string is a string is a string,you do with it what ya do.....so do it.

Hang around bass string forums much?

 

[seanm]

Interesting. I bought some Fender 9050M quite a few years ago and they where the smoothest flats I have ever played. I thought they where made by LaBella, but have no proof of that.

 

[Craig_S]

I think a string is a string is a string,you do with it what ya do.....so do it.

Well, if your fingers make mud, they're gonna' make mud with the best strings as well as the bad ones. Maybe it doesn't matter to you. It matters to me.

I'm curious to read some reviews of the new Fender flats.

 

[Meatrus]

I think I heard from my local music store that D'Addario is making Fender strings now.

I doubt it. D'addarios name is alway thrown around hastily when talking about string manufactures, probably because they used to make Ernie Ball strings (so logic goes they must make all other strings right...). I see no reason why they would change from being independent to using a rivals factory. I could be wrong but it would fit in with the current trent of saying everything is made by D'addario.

Really though, if they sound different to Chromes it doesnt matter where they are made.

 

[Johnny Alien]

I doubt it. D'addarios name is alway thrown around hastily when talking about string manufactures, probably because they used to make Ernie Ball strings (so logic goes they must make all other strings right...). I see no reason why they would change from being independent to using a rivals factory. I could be wrong but it would fit in with the current trent of saying everything is made by D'addario.

Really though, if they sound different to Chromes it doesnt matter where they are made.

I was going to say this as well. If they are already set up to make strings (and they are) then it would make little sense to have D'Addario make the strings for them now.

 

[jasper383]

I was going to say this as well. If they are already set up to make strings (and they are) then it would make little sense to have D'Addario make the strings for them now.

I thought this, too. Fender has been making electric bass strings basically since the very start, why would they stop?

But I will tell you what--I think these are re-branded Chromes. The more I play them and compare them to another bass I have Chromes on, the more I think these are D'Addario made.

The flatwound market is very small--less than 10% of the string market. It may have not been worth it for Fender to keep going in the flats business.

I have no idea if they have changed their rounds. I do know the packaging for all Fender strings has changed.



I generally don't like fanning the rumor/conspiracy, but I think I'm right about this.

 

[neoman09]

I think I heard from my local music store that D'Addario is making Fender strings now.

I have a Fender Jazz 24, about two years old. I went to Gutiar Center in town a couple fo days ago, looking for
9050L's Stainless, but they didn't have them. So I picked up D'Addario's instead (long guage) and guess what - they don't fit ! The silks cut across the nut and stick way out into the first fret. NO way - anyone have this problem before ?

I am going to ask for my money back. Rip Off ! and Fender is having these guys make their strings ? unreal.

 

[jasper383]

I have a Fender Jazz 24, about two years old. I went to Gutiar Center in town a couple fo days ago, looking for
9050L's Stainless, but they didn't have them. So I picked up D'Addario's instead (long guage) and guess what - they don't fit ! The silks cut across the nut and stick way out into the first fret. NO way - anyone have this problem before ?

I am going to ask for my money back. Rip Off ! and Fender is having these guys make their strings ? unreal.

Is that a through the body bridge?

D'Addario does have pretty short long scale strings. They do make Super Long scale Chromes, too. Those would have fit easily.