As I stated in my thread (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f16/new-outsourced-fender-strings-742914/), I´m very impressed by the new Fender strings. One of life´s big mysteries, at least to me, is what makes up the selling price of bass strings. In Europe Fender 7250-5M retail at approx. half the price of Ernie Ball Slinky´s 5-string set. I guess a lot of it is marketing, especially when comparing Fender´s marketing of strings to Ernie Ball´s.
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Why do you use Fender strings?
- Thread starter mmbongo
- Start date
As I stated in my thread (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f16/new-outsourced-fender-strings-742914/), I´m very impressed by the new Fender strings. One of life´s big mysteries, at least to me, is what makes up the selling price of bass strings. In Europe Fender 7250-5M retail at approx. half the price of Ernie Ball Slinky´s 5-string set. I guess a lot of it is marketing, especially when comparing Fender´s marketing of strings to Ernie Ball´s.
I actually like the Fender nickel plated strings that came with my Geddy and my Squier CV p-bass. I don't buy them because they are not easy to find here in Norway, so I use EB slinky's...
I recently acquired 6 sets of .125-.045 5 string 7250s on clearance, for a total of 20 bucks. I put a set on my Cirrus 4 and tossed the B in a drawer. They sound just fine to me. 1 set of DRs costs more than this, and the difference in feel and tone is minimal to my fingers/ears. They don't seem like they were thrown together as an afterthought.
It boggles my mind that anyone uses anything that I don't like or that doesn't work for me. They must be fools.
Why isn't the world full of MEs?!
Why isn't the world full of MEs?!
hasbeen
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- Sep 23, 2004
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that was a really tough choice. It came down to the core. The round core of the classics was providing too much of a challenge- we were getting inconsistant strings. Also, many consumers wouldn't put a bend in the string before cutting them...so, they could unravel. There is another thread or post on TB now from somebody complaining about that.
So, with the new flats, I did my best to replicate the feel of the older set....because, it has quite a loyal following.
hasbeen
Commercial User
- Sep 23, 2004
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hmm...tough for me to comment. I don't set export pricing to the consumer. That pricing is set by whomever is bringing the strings in.
hasbeen
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OMG. I just looked at this thread this morning. Told my wife to get the defibrillator before I fall in the floor. I have used 7250Ms for years and love them. I have tried Rotos, D'Ad's, DR, Dunlap and I'm sure others along the way. I still have a couple of unopened sets of what I now understand are the old ones. I sure hope the new ones work for me.
Agree and I think the new 7150 pure nickel sound great (even better than sunbeams imho). The new 7250 sound different (maybe a little brighter top). I think for my playing most of the sound is in my fingers and when I play a bass with rounds it sounds like me ( I do not have a light touch and play fingerstyle). Its interesting how folks swear their allegence to one company (rotos 70's dean 80's dr 90's ti's 00 etc.. but i do think to each his own). IF you think your strings make you sound better....
My Fender P5 came with 8250s on it. More than a year later, the strings still feel great, have plenty of life left in them and the bass sounds great. Why change? In fact, I just put a set on my Reverend 5.
I got a set of the new 9050ML flats. I have to say i like these better than any other flat wound string i have tried. Labella deep talkin, TI, Roto, Sadowsky. I was never happy with any of those.
I slapped a set of the Fender 9050's on my AV '57ri p-bass and finally understood why it's just right to have flats on a p-bass.
I slapped a set of the Fender 9050's on my AV '57ri p-bass and finally understood why it's just right to have flats on a p-bass.
I've seen some of the post by the OP in the past. It seems he has something against all things Fender. I used to really like the old Fender Pure Nickel Roundwounds, I wonder how the new ones are ?
I worked at Sam Ash for years and i could basically order any set of strings I wanted for "FREE". I tried a lot of strings from flats to rounds. I really like flats but after a few months I get bored of them and want the rounds sound again and the only string I have found that can walk the line between flats and rounds are fender 7250ML's. They have a low mid presence that I can't find. The closest I have got are DR Loriders.
OP, please do tell how strings can improve ones playing as you stated on pg. 2 of this thread. Please, spare no details,.... inquiry minds like ours wanna know. It would be even better if you would post a video demonstrating your 'theory'. When you create the video, please keep in mind that it will be important for you to venture outside of the genre of metal and prog rock and explore the 'strings that make you play better' in jazz, funk, soul, New Wave, country, ambient, RnB, emocore, etc. How about the strings for those that the Justin Chancelor 'wanna be' sound just doesn't work for? In your profile, you state that you are vehemently anti flats....could you include a section on how flats sabotage say an accomplished jazz players ability to realize there full potential as a player? I can't wait for the video man......enlighten us all mmbongo......
Thanks for the reponse, it´s really cool that you are participating in this post. BTW I ca´nt seem to find the "Fender USA Strings" page on Facebook anymore, I thins it was a cool way to market these strings.
Why do you make the assumption that people who like Fender strings have not tried other brands?
I've played at least 15 different brand names, and numerous lines in each brand...rounds, flats, tapes...light, mediums, heavy. I keep different brands of strings on various of my basses, only some of which are Fenders, but I really like the Fender flats (old ones) and the Fender tapes. Put Fender tapes on a Geddy Lee with Quarter Pounders instead of the stock pups, and you'll get a tone that will knock you out, provided you like the Sounds of the Sixties.
There are a lot of strings I like (I even have Optima Golds on my P-style bass), but Fenders are some of my favorites.
The black silks are no more
And I believe the new ones are made by D'Addario. I believe the new ones have the colored ball ends that D'Addario has patented. But that does not mean they are the same as the XLs. However, from I hear about the new Fender flats, the sound descriptions are a lot like Chromes.
The new ones sound sort of like Chromes, but are nowhere near as good, just a cheaper, slightly inferior alternative.
Thanks for clearing that up. I tried to love the new ones, but the tension just wasn't there, so I didn't wait to see how they'd sound after the annoying brightness wore out of them. Still haven't found a suitable replacement... I've been buying up old 9050 sets!
