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Yes! Fender 9050 flats!

#121
KOLAD said:
You guys ever try oiling them? Or using a handcream...grease? Loose the clankiness quicker, and make the "funk" come on faster...adds to the thump quicker. Try Organic coconut oil! Smells great too! :)
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Mine broke in quickly enough without that. I plan to keep them on for a long time, years maybe. I'd rather deal with the newness for a little while than add oil which could shorten their life in the long run.
 
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#123
trothwell said:
I'm onto day two now, having played on the strings for only maybe a couple of hours. I think just sitting overnight a lot of the clankiness has faded out. Sounding much better.
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All strings have the initial clang or zing. All strings. I have noticed a trend that way too many people are expecting flats to be immediately settled in when they are installed, rather than waiting on them as well.

To everyone who reacted and posted instead of waiting for the strings to settle in, just like any set of ss or nps, I say, "Patience, Grasshopper."
 
#124
iiipopes said:
All strings have the initial clang or zing. All strings. I have noticed a trend that way too many people are expecting flats to be immediately settled in when they are installed, rather than waiting on them as well.

To everyone who reacted and posted instead of waiting for the strings to settle in, just like any set of ss or nps, I say, "Patience, Grasshopper."
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+ infinity
Getting so tired of seeing posts that say i tried brand x string and had to take them off after 3 days because they sounded like crap.
 
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#125
shawshank72 said:
Getting so tired of seeing posts that say i tried brand x string and had to take them off after 3 days because they sounded like crap.
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Another lesson I've learned when it comes to trying out different strings is never to judge them until I've had a chance to play them in a live band context. What sounds good through my headphones when I'm quietly practicing alone at home may not be the right thing for the band, or vice versa.
 
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#126
sanderic said:
The above post is exactly why I will not even try TIs on my bass. I am extremely satisfied with the Fender 9050s, and like Chromes also; why should I take a $50 gamble on strings I might not even like?
Now if I meet someone who has a bass strung with TIs, and I like the sound and feel, then I may change my mind.
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I have a set of TI flats on my 32 scale Alembic that are no less than ten years of age, I get complements all the time about the sound and how they cut through the mix. I use chromes, sadowsky flats and La bella deep talking and Jamerson flats as well. I cant say I have a favorite, maybe the chromes are a little higher rated if i must say but its close!

Gary
 
#127
I'm looking for some gauge/tension guidance before I pull the trigger. I'm currently using GHS M3050 (.045-.105) and I like the feel but want to try something a tad more aggressive. I've also used Labella 760FS (probably my favorite string, but for some reason this Precision doesn't like them) & Chromes ECB82. Since the 9050CLs aren't around anymore, The MLs look like the closest to what I use now but I don't want to end up with a floppy E since all my other favorites use a .105. If I step up to the M to get the .105 E, then the rest of the strings are larger than any other set I've used, and I'm not a fan of sets where the higher strings feel way tighter than the E/A. Can anyone with similar experience provide some insight?
 
#128
I found that the Ernie Ball 105 flat has some subdued growl that coordinates well with a set of settled in Fender flats, when the Fender 105 finally thumped out, but there was still life in the rest of the set. To me, yes, there is a slight difference in feel of the 100 compared to the 105, but I would not necessarily call the 100 "floppy." I would get the L set, 45-60-80-100, and set the E string the slightest bit higher so you can "dig in" more; and if it thumps out before the rest of the set, then get the Ernie Ball 105 to replace it, and lower the bridge saddle back down a hair. The strings are so close to each other in their characteristics that there should not be any, or hardly any, compensation difference.

By contrast, for a 105 E string on the standard 34 inch P-bass scale, I found the GHS Precision flat to be much darker, the Chromes to go from zing to thump, but no growl to match the rest of the Fender flats set, and La Bella "rounder" in tone.
 
#129
iiipopes said:
I found that the Ernie Ball 105 flat has some subdued growl that coordinates well with a set of settled in Fender flats, when the Fender 105 finally thumped out, but there was still life in the rest of the set. To me, yes, there is a slight difference in feel of the 100 compared to the 105, but I would not necessarily call the 100 "floppy." I would get the L set, 45-60-80-100, and set the E string the slightest bit higher so you can "dig in" more; and if it thumps out before the rest of the set, then get the Ernie Ball 105 to replace it, and lower the bridge saddle back down a hair. The strings are so close to each other in their characteristics that there should not be any, or hardly any, compensation difference.

By contrast, for a 105 E string on the standard 34 inch P-bass scale, I found the GHS Precision flat to be much darker, the Chromes to go from zing to thump, but no growl to match the rest of the Fender flats set, and La Bella "rounder" in tone.
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Awesome, that was just the information I was looking for. It's good to know that there's a 105 out there for single string purchase that would get me to 9050 CL territory if I decided I didn't like the 100. I'd agree with your assessment of the different brands as well. I have a replacement string on the way from La Bella that should let me know whether I had a dud, but if that doesn't solve my La Bella issues then I'll give the Fenders another shot. I've tried and liked them before, but I had my set of 9050CLs on a bass I ended up selling.
 
#132
backup said:
i don't like them new but they break in very nicely.
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My sentiment exactly... I was iffy on them until they broke in... Now they might be my favorite... I'm currently experimenting with flats on my P and so far these compliment mine the best...

Labellas were nice but not worth it due to the tension...

I'm currently trying DR Legends that I just got yesterday... I'm hopeful that they'll get better once they break in, but so far they're a little mushy sounding in the low mids... They feel even better than the 9050s, but the tone so far just isn't my favorite... I'm sure they'll get better, but only time will tell...

Next is GHS Precision flats...

So far the winner is 9050s though... I don't feel that they're perfect for any one sound, but they are great "all around" strings... They can sort of have a vintage sound or a modern sound depending on how you play them so they're just incredibly versatile in that regard


Geddy Lee Jazz Club - Member #222
 
#133
Esoge said:
Labellas were nice but not worth it due to the tension...
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What gauges are you talking about?

Esoge said:
So far the winner is 9050s though... I don't feel that they're perfect for any one sound, but they are great "all around" strings... They can sort of have a vintage sound or a modern sound depending on how you play them so they're just incredibly versatile in that regard...
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And what gauges for the Fender?
 
#135
The Labellas are great strings, I just felt they were only great at the one thing they do... Sort of a one trick pony with an amazing one trick... I wanted to love them being a huge Jamerson/Motown fan, but just felt they weren't versatile enough to put up with the tension...

I could see using them in the studio for a very specific sound, but other than that I just felt they weren't worth it


Geddy Lee Jazz Club - Member #222
 
#136
Esoge said:
The Labellas are great strings, I just felt they were only great at the one thing they do... Sort of a one trick pony with an amazing one trick... I wanted to love them being a huge Jamerson/Motown fan, but just felt they weren't versatile enough to put up with the tension...
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I've been debating back and forth between Fender 9050L and La Bella 760FL for the next set of flats to try on my Fender Jazz.

Based on your feedback, I think I'll go with the Fender for the J. And maybe the La Bella when I acquire a P bass.
 
#137
michael_t said:
I've been debating back and forth between Fender 9050L and La Bella 760FL for the next set of flats to try on my Fender Jazz.

Based on your feedback, I think I'll go with the Fender for the J. And maybe the La Bella when I acquire a P bass.
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Probably a good bet... I've heard good things about the Precisions flats on Js... That my next venture as well if I'm not feeling them on my P


Geddy Lee Jazz Club - Member #222
 
#138
Gorn Captain said:
Just put a 45-100 set on my pbass and I'm very impressed. Ive never used fender strings before. They're really bright and I hope they mellow out soon, but they feel great. Low tension but not floppy and really even across the strings. I should have gotten the 45-105 set but these are still great.
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Personally, I like 45-100 on a P because of the difference in coil placement in a P pickup. I think the D &G balance better with the E & A in 45-100 or 50-105.
My $0.02
 
#139
I had some 9050s on my p and love the tone. But the tension is way tighter than I like. Still on my "flat-quest", so I may be back to the 9050s. It just may be a while though. Any recccomendations on a flat with similar thump, but with less tension?
 
#140
dukeandrews said:
I had some 9050s on my p and love the tone. But the tension is way tighter than I like. Still on my "flat-quest", so I may be back to the 9050s. It just may be a while though. Any recccomendations on a flat with similar thump, but with less tension?
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Honestly once they break in 9050s aren't really high tension at all (at least IME). For flats I'd say at worst they're medium tension on the scale of TI (low tension) to Labella (high tension).

Also make sure you have a proper setup done (either professionally or personally) any time you're changing strings, especially with flats as they usually are quite stiff until they break in. I tend to find that if you're not doing a proper setup with a new set of flats they can be "piano wire tense" and really discouraging.


Geddy Lee Jazz Club - Member #222
 
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