How are Fender Flatwounds?

[bassobrutto]

Yes, I designed these strings. They reason they sound more "modern" is that I wanted a set of flats that wasn't "too" thumpy. I was aiming for more clarity while still retaining the warmth of other flats.

Thank you for designing such a great set of strings! Along with TI flats, the 9050Ls have been my favourites over the years. Great on every bass I have played for many different kinds of music. Like TIs, they are always well balanced sound-wise and just super-versatile.

 

[hasbeen]

Thank you for designing such a great set of strings! Along with TI flats, the 9050Ls have been my favourites over the years. Great on every bass I have played for many different kinds of music. Like TIs, they are always well balanced sound-wise and just super-versatile.

thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you like them

 

[Phaidrus]

As someone who was intimidated by the massive gauge of the 9050M set (55-70-90-105) and postponed trying them for a long time, I must say that they have a rather standard tension of an average 45-105 flats set and are easy to play. Still in the break in period and they sound good!

 

[Grinderman]

As someone who was intimidated by the massive gauge of the 9050M set (55-70-90-105) and postponed trying them for a long time, I must say that they have a rather standard tension of an average 45-105 flats set and are easy to play. Still in the break in period and they sound good!

I initially tried a 9050L set on my Jazz but switched to 9050M after a few months and I'm glad I did.

For a very long time, pretty much always, I'd stuck with using middle-of-the-road 45-105 string sets, albeit rounds. As I started getting into flats, I first dabbled with trying lighter gauge string sets but I found they didn't suit me.

Then I tried heavier gauge flats with more tension and more stiffness, including LaBella 760M flats on one of my P basses and 55-105 GHS P flats on another to see how they'd be. Since then and from now on 45-105 strings are the lightest gauge I'll possibly use, for example, Rotosound 77 flats, which happen to be very stiff for their gauge.

 

[Phaidrus]

I initially tried a 9050L set on my Jazz but switched to 9050M after a few months and I'm glad I did.

For a very long time, pretty much always, I'd stuck with using middle-of-the-road 45-105 string sets, albeit rounds. As I started getting into flats, I first dabbled with trying lighter gauge string sets but I found they didn't suit me.

Then I tried heavier gauge flats with more tension and more stiffness, including LaBella 760M flats on one of my P basses and 55-105 GHS P flats on another to see how they'd be. Since then and from now on 45-105 strings are the lightest gauge I'll possibly use, for example, Rotosound 77 flats, which happen to be very stiff for their gauge.

Same experience here. Life is too short for thin strings.

 

[michael_t]

Life is too short for thin strings.

I'd consider using Fender 9050 again, but only if they came in my preferred gauges, 40-55-75-95. Thick strings would certainly shorten my bass-playing life!

Meanwhile, I have Ernie Ball Group IV flats (40-60-70-95) on order to try on my P bass.

 

[FFFH242]

I have only tried a couple of sets of flats but of the ones I have tried, the Fender flats are really nice. I have a set on a Jazz Bass and they sound and feel fantastic. They will live on that bass until I absolutely have to change them.

 

[TomB]

I'd consider using Fender 9050 again, but only if they came in my preferred gauges, 40-55-75-95. Thick strings would certainly shorten my bass-playing life!

Meanwhile, I have Ernie Ball Group IV flats (40-60-70-95) on order to try on my P bass.

Michael, I’ll be very surprised if you don’t like them. I had very good luck with their 5-string set for years. In fact, if I could find a short-scale set of them, I’d snap them up. But alas…
Let us know what you think. I miss them, and that’s coming from a dedicated DTF user.

 

[michael_t]

Michael, I’ll be very surprised if you don’t like them. I had very good luck with their 5-string set for years.

The Group IV Flats should be here next week. I'll let you know how they do. Based on everything I've read, I can't see why I won't like them.

I'll be rocking the two Yamahas with GHS Pressurewounds/Ken Smith Compressors, so a P with flats will be welcome when I need a change of pace.

 

[HMZ]

Fender flatwound are my favorite. I only wish the came in 45-65-85-105.

 

[Texican]

I have a set (no idea how old, or what gauge) that came on a jazz parts bass. I think I like them. I’ll need to hear them in a live mix though. I HATE chromes, so add me to the list of folks that don’t think Fender flats sound or feel like chromes.

Tone wise, how do the Fender flats compare with TI Jazz Flats? I’ve never tried TI jazz flats due to the floppy tension and high price. Just curious if these Fenders are in the same tonal ballpark.

 

[onda'bass]

I loved the cl9050 5 string set, but fender does not so much