Why do you use Fender strings?

[dannster]

I recently picked up a set of 9050CL's on iiipopes recommendation in another thread. I must say these are a big giant home run.

Kudos to hasbeen! I have been converted.

2nd rehearsal today with these and dialed in my tone a bit more and "wow". I just love the snarl of these things.

 

[I<34080]

only flats the local shop had available. They'll be off eventually

 

[GrapeApe]

In your profile, you state that you are vehemently anti flats

Link Removed

 

[RBrownBass]

The 7150 pure nickels sound awesome when the zing wears off. They are probably the warmest, fattest rounds out there.

7150's ~ super warm once they break in

...I think the new 7150 pure nickel sound great

This, this and this.

I love the 7150s on Jazz and Jazz-style basses once the zing mellows out a bit. That said, they're the only Fender strings I really care for more than (insert brand here)__________. I have D'Addario nickels on my MIA Peavey Fury and love those, too. I loved the sound of TI Jazz Flats on the one bass I've had them on (a defretted Ibanez Artcore, long since flipped) but didn't keep the bass long enough to get used to the low tension. Don't like stainless much. I'm not a tone knob wide open guy to begin with, so bright strings don't interest me.

IMO, most easily available nickel rounds are what they are, and provided they are consistent within a set, they will all sound nice at some period in their usable lives. It's how long they have that sound and what happens before and after that means the most to me.

 

[Bongolation]

Why do you use Fender strings?

I usually don't because they don't fit my FENDER toploader basses. They will fit them with BAII bridges, but those are the only ones.

I've got at least a dozen sets of Fender strings that are too long for the Fender basses for which I bought them.

The ones that come on the basses are usually too long: The full diameter of the E passes the machine post even before tensioning. FAIL.

They're even longer than they should be for the Fender through-bodies.

Who does Fender think they're making strings for, anyway? Probably 90% of FMIC's bass sales are toploaders.

I still can't find a set of strings from any maker that will properly fit Fender (or most other) toploaders with a conventional bridge. I'm thinking that D'Addario "medium scale" might.

It's insane. I have at least a half-dozen Fender basses I don't play because I can't find strings for them.

 

[solidmaui78]

I love the 7150xl i have on my g&l wunkay These strings sound amazing to me... Makes me want to try the new Fender flats and other nickle rounds
I think the new fender strings are great.

 

[Deaky]

I am currently waiting on a set of Fender flats and nickels.
IMHO I have found that the many of the more expensive brands have been quite disappointing. I have tried TI's, DR, Rotosound and GHS to name a few and for me they didnt really justify the price.

Whenever I have bought a Fender I really liked the sound of the stock strings.

 

[G.Bisson]

Whenever I have bought a Fender I really liked the sound of the stock strings.

Last two Fender's I bought came loaded with D'Addario steels. Wish they would've came strung with Fender strings, they sound much better than the DAdds.

 

[Blues Bass Man]

I also like Fender Strings....I just put a set of the new Flats on a Fender Precision. I think they sound and feel great. I'm glad what started out obviously as a troll thread let us tell of our experiences with Fender Strings.

 

[Deaky]

Did they fit well on it Blues Man?

 

[mmbongo]

Last two Fender's I bought came loaded with D'Addario steels. Wish they would've came strung with Fender strings, they sound much better than the DAdds.

D'Addario makes Fender strings now.

 

[Deaky]

Is that confirmed?

 

[solidmaui78]

The colored ball ends have different colors ... they dont sound the same?

 

[mmbongo]

The colored ball ends have different colors ... they dont sound the same?

Just because they are made by D'Addario does not mean they are D'Addario's!

 

[soulman969]

I'm no string expert but it seems to me that Fender may have used various OEM sources for their strings over the years as they've balanced tone and playability vs pricing. Some here are saying the buy from D'Addario now I've heard of other suppliers in the past.

It's entirely possible that 7150's, as an example, from a decade or two ago may have been made by another vendor than the one they use today. If you like the string that's all that should matter, not whose name is on the package. I'm just as sure their are some Fender Strings that sound just as good on certain basses as any other brand and there are most likely others that sound like crap or the string manufacturers wouldn't be in business.

This is like headstock snobbery plus one. First we turn our noses up at Non-MIA Basses and now at what strings a player uses???? Whether Bass or Strings if it sounds great play it! That's your sound.

 

[Metania]

Sorry, I just have to ask this. It just boggles my mind that people in this forum actually use Fender strings. I've never seen anyone outside of here actually buy Fender strings on purpose, and normally the first thing anyone does with a Fender bass is cut the strings off to put on a better set.

I just have to ask, why do folks use Fender strings? Only because they came with your Fender bass and you're afraid to change? Figure Fender uses them so they're the best? I have to know!

Probably for the same reason that you play a Spector? They like the sound. I always buy Fender flats, because I prefer steel strings over nickel. And the price is right .o)