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WTH is the deal with Fender OEM strings?

CiaranQ

CiaranQ

Jan 23, 2018
181
566
Australia
#1
Hey,

I've got a 2018 build RW Jazz, and haven't changed the strings since I got it, but it hasn't been played much. I've been struggling to get into it, and just figured maybe I got a dud or something.

Was just about to sell it, until I changed the strings to my usuals (D'Addario EXL165, so normie), and I like the bass now.

What's the go with Fender's OEM strings, as they haven't got coloured ball ends, so they I would assume they aren't the same as the Fender strings you can buy separately. They've got brass ball ends.

Looking at the Fender basses at my local store, they all have brass ball ends, so are the OEM strings not the same as the Fender packet strings?

And does anyone know what they are, because whatever material it is, I will make sure to avoid it. They were stiff, shiny sounding, clanky and noisy. I'm assuming stainless, as I'm a nickel guy.

Also, you'd think that "nicer" Fenders should get "nicer" strings, but maybe crappy strings are just a nice add-on sale, which is ironic as you probably wouldn't buy Fender strings, if you thought that was how they sounded (so they wouldn't get the add-on). I've got a set of new 9050 Fender flats on my Player P and I couldn't be happier, they are nice strings. But these ones? Pure garbage!
 
#2
CiaranQ said:
What's the go with Fender's OEM strings, as they haven't got coloured ball ends, so they I would assume they aren't the same as the Fender strings you can buy separately. They've got brass ball ends.
Click to expand...

It is my understanding, based on what I've read, that the ones with colored ball ends are for retail packages, while the ones with generic ball ends are for bulk orders as OEM factory strings; otherwise, they do come from the same factory (presumably D'Addario).
 
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#10
michael_t said:
It is my understanding, based on what I've read, that the ones with colored ball ends are for retail packages, while the ones with generic ball ends are for bulk orders as OEM factory strings; otherwise, they do come from the same factory (presumably D'Addario).
Click to expand...
^^^ This ^^^ Plus there is a fan club for Fender 7250M strings. They have been the factory stock set since Fender ceased string production in 2010 at their Ensenada facility in Baja, Mexico. They are well thought of as a standard roundwound and Fender's strings sell well at retailers worldwide.
History of Fender Brand Strings
The Fender 7250m Fanclub
 
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#11
CiaranQ said:
Hey,

I've got a 2018 build RW Jazz, and haven't changed the strings since I got it, but it hasn't been played much. I've been struggling to get into it, and just figured maybe I got a dud or something.

Was just about to sell it, until I changed the strings to my usuals (D'Addario EXL165, so normie), and I like the bass now.

What's the go with Fender's OEM strings, as they haven't got coloured ball ends, so they I would assume they aren't the same as the Fender strings you can buy separately. They've got brass ball ends.

Looking at the Fender basses at my local store, they all have brass ball ends, so are the OEM strings not the same as the Fender packet strings?

And does anyone know what they are, because whatever material it is, I will make sure to avoid it. They were stiff, shiny sounding, clanky and noisy. I'm assuming stainless, as I'm a nickel guy.

Also, you'd think that "nicer" Fenders should get "nicer" strings, but maybe crappy strings are just a nice add-on sale, which is ironic as you probably wouldn't buy Fender strings, if you thought that was how they sounded (so they wouldn't get the add-on). I've got a set of new 9050 Fender flats on my Player P and I couldn't be happier, they are nice strings. But these ones? Pure garbage!
Click to expand...

The key words in all this are "from the factory". Strings on an instrument - any strings - will go bad eventually; whether they get played or not. If they aren't played, they just go bad a little slower. You have no idea how long the OEM strings have been on a bass, or what they've gone through between the time they were installed, and when you got your hands on them. Personally, on a new bass? Unless it comes with flatwounds, I always assume the OEM strings are bad. They last just long enough for me to do a function check, before they're consigned to the nearest garbage can - regardless of how "nice" they're supposed to be. However.. yes, the 7250s are pretty decent, generic roundwound strings. And yes, they're made by D'Addario (to Fender's specs). IMO, they're in the same boat as D'Addario EXL 170s, and EB Hybrid Slinkys; inexpensive, journeyman rounds that you can get wherever strings are sold. Personally, though, I prefer flats; and, if I have to use this kind of string, it's the Slinkys for me...:cool:
 
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#12
GIBrat51 said:
The key words in all this are "from the factory". Strings on an instrument - any strings - will go bad eventually; whether they get played or not.
Click to expand...
You would think a set from 2018 that hasn't been played much would still be good, though. I just think the dude doesn't like those particular strings. Hard to blame him...I don't either :D
 

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