Replacement for Fender 9050L?

[iiipopes]

That was my experience with Rotosound 77s, not Chromes. The 77s died within four months without warning the way you described. Never again!

I've had my Chromes on one of my Ric 4003s for the last 18 months or so. They have aged well and sound better than they did in the first 6 months (break in period). They're still much brighter than La Bella DTFs, my favorite dark flat, even after 18 months.

Rotosounds damage truss rods with their increased tension from the monel alloy. I stand by my comment about Chromes. You must have amazing hand perspiration chemistry, because you are the only case I know that Chromes do not go zing then thump. Again, for everyone else, Chromes are bad strings that need reformulating and should not be on any bass whatsoever.

 

[bullshark]

In any case, I ordered a set from StringsByMail, Meanwhile, after being on backorder stated to be as far a December 2026 on some Canadian dealers website, they started to appear in stock in some of those as well(like RedOne in Dorval), but with new packaging(maybe the packaging change was the source of the delay?). So I am a happy man once again. Thank you all for all the suggestions/discussions.

 

[Stan_da_man]

Easy, EB Group III or IV.

 

[MrAB4003]

Rotosounds damage truss rods with their increased tension from the monel alloy. I stand by my comment about Chromes. You must have amazing hand perspiration chemistry, because you are the only case I know that Chromes do not go zing then thump. Again, for everyone else, Chromes are bad strings that need reformulating and should not be on any bass whatsoever.

I tune down to D Standard (DGCF), so I'm OK with having higher tension strings in general on my basses. High tension flats feel the same as most normal tension flats in standard tuning for me. But I would never tune the medium gauge Chromes or 77s past Eb Standard because they're too tense.

All that being said, I have been thinking about switching to NYXLs or a different kind of flat on my Ric 4003 with Chromes. But every time I play that 4003, I realize how much I love them.

 

[Barton Lee]

Rotosound 77 flats (45-105) tuned to E standard have never bothered my Fenders, let alone destroyed truss rods, and while Chromes eventually lose their charm, they stay alive enough for me for a couple years. Unlike the beloved La Bella 760FL, which for me turn boring and lifeless after a couple of gigs, much faster than the Rotos.

Lots of different takes when it comes to strings.

 

[iiipopes]

I tune down to D Standard (DGCF), so I'm OK with having higher tension strings in general on my basses. High tension flats feel the same as most normal tension flats in standard tuning for me. But I would never tune the medium gauge Chromes or 77s past Eb Standard because they're too tense.

All that being said, I have been thinking about switching to NYXLs or a different kind of flat on my Ric 4003 with Chromes. But every time I play that 4003, I realize how much I love them.

If you want flats on a Rickenbacker, the standard choice is the Optima RB set. The set is made exactly like the original OEM Maxima flats set that Rickenbacker used to string their 4001 basses with, even down to the same red box and part number. They are expensive, but worth it.

E-Bass RB FLATWOUND STRINGS Satz, Long Scale

The sound of a legend. Faithfully reimagined. With the 4440.L, OPTIMA introduces a flatwound bass string set inspired by the unmistakable tone of…

optima-strings.com

 

[vera]

On the topic of Optima RB flats, I’ve been curious how they compare to 9050L’s, which are my current favorite flats for a Jazz bass. So far I’ve been disappointed each time I’ve tried to switch from 9050s on my j bass, but I also sometimes feel I’d like a similar string with a little more personality. Has anyone had experience with both these strings on the same bass? I imagine they sound different out the box but wonder how they compare well broken in.