I have a set of Fender flatwound strings 45-60-80-100 I want to put on my Fender Precision Bass Special (Jazz Neck). Can I install these through the body. I’ve heard some flatwounds you can’t install through body. How is the tension on these from anyone who has experience with them. I’m assuming I’ll need to tighten the truss rod a little over the factory Fender round wounds which are 45-105.
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Fender Flatwounds 9050L String Thru Body
- Thread starter MattF007
- Start date
Yes?
Only La Bella Deep Talkin' Bass flats (except for the 760FS-TB and 760F-MUS sets, both of which are meant to be installed through the body) and La Bella Olinto Signature Flats. Everything else (by other makers, but also other flatwound products by La Bella, notably their Low Tension Flats) is string-thru-body kosher.
Not a lot, if any. The Fender 9050L are moderate-tension (and also decently flexible).
I wouldn't, but thats me.
I'm not really a fan of stringing through the body anyway as I see only down sides to the practice.
I'm not really a fan of stringing through the body anyway as I see only down sides to the practice.
I use the 9050L on one of my Jazz basses. They're not particularly "high tension" or stiffest of flats. Medium tension and medium stiffness, they shouldn't require any drastic setup modifications going from typical hex-core rounds of 45-105.
As for thru-body installation, they should be okay as long as you're careful with the initial installation.
I would never install any flats thru-body, but that's just my personal preference.
I would never install any flats thru-body, but that's just my personal preference.
Me neither.
But on a vintage early 50s P, Tele Bass, and re-issues, you don't have an option unless you swap out the bridge.
The break angle changes with strings thru body, I personally wouldn't touch the TR unless it became a playability issue, in which an 1/8th turn tight should be the most to get you there.
My JMJ Mustang came with 9050L flats. I liked them and put new ones on as I was curious what a new set would sound like. I really like them. String-through was not a problem. I took my time to do it right.
On a tangental subject, I don't know why Scott's Bass Lessons have their interviewees change string for speed. A great way to not do a proper job.
On a tangental subject, I don't know why Scott's Bass Lessons have their interviewees change string for speed. A great way to not do a proper job.
After breaking low tension flats while installing them on my '54 av, Labella told me by email that they are not ok for installing string through. They did still offer to mail me a replacement string, but only if I lived in the US.
The Fender flats that came stock on the '54 obviously worked fine through body, as do chromes.
I'm sorry to hear that. However, I've read anecdotal reports of the LTF being safely installed through the body. Also, La Bella is not being consistent: they told you they're not OK, but don't add the warning against through-body stringing in the LTF product webpages, unlike what's found elsewhere on their site (besides their regular and Gold flats, they've recently added the caveat to the Olinto sets).
I have a 2016 American Standard Precision strung with Fender 9050L strings through the body, and have had no problems whatsoever with them. They have been on the bass for at least a couple of years now.
Thank you for all the replies. Just curious why string through body isn’t preferred. I had originally installed LaBella LTF on the bass through the body and the D string is giving an odd sound when I play an open string. When I apply a little finger pressure on the string it goes away. The relief is good. I was thinking maybe the gauge being .56 might be too thin for the nut. I’ve used these strings before on a through body on a different bass with no issues. Was thinking the .60 gauge of the Fender 9050L might fit better.
Fender flats work fine on string thru bridges. As do a multitude of flat wound brands. They were the only strings & bridges available for the first 6 years of the Fender bass. I understand having a preference but the fear many seem to attribute to the concept always has me scratching my head.
I have them on my string through American Professional ll right now. They are my first and only flats so far. I picked them based on a thread I posted. Everything has been good with them. I did not make any adjustments to my bass. I actually have a set of Labellas coming, as I am curious about those. I made a post about the best flats on a jazz. A number of people said they actually preferred the Fender strings on a jazz, for what it's worth.
I’ve tried a few brands of flats and the LaBella low tension was a joy. I also experienced regular tension flats were much tighter than rounds, and pulled the neck enough to require tightening the rod. The feeling is markedly different than rounds for sure. But the Low tension LaBella’s worked best on my fretless jazz.
I personally don't like the idea of putting any flats thru-body as the outer flat ribbon wire doesn't take a sharp break angle behind the saddle as well as rounds.
Contrary to what some manufacturers might claim, the thru-body method does not have any practical benefit over the top-load method in terms of tonal quality - at least not that I've experienced.
I am pretty new to all this. I thought that stringing through the body increases sustain. Is that true?
Majority of manufacturers do not feel that way. Even Leo dropped it.
