Flats

[OdysseyMike]

I'm just glad he can use the strings, because I didn't need them anymore. My c64s is great (in jetglo no less!?!)! Never better in fact. Last night I took it over to a buddys house and had the frets crowned and polished. Cleaned up some edges, etc... now it feels as smooth as it sounds! The zero fret and reverse headstock must have some kind of magic imbued by the Ricken-elves making them.

[rickyfricky]

And the 2011 "Most Generous Award" goes to... ~~ Ta-Daaaa ~~


+1
Many thanks for BOTH sets heading my way, Mike.

It is much appreciated.

[VRICKY63]

OK. The new Fender flats are so much like Chromes to someone like me who has been playing Fender flats for 40 years that I would call them Daddario Chromes. Identical. A new Fender flat by any other name is still a CHROME.

[rickenbrother]

How about a somewhat modified Chrome?

[cassius987]

A new Fender flat by any other name is still a CHROME.

No, it's just not the old Fender flat. And I remember now that most of the people who called them Chromes were folks who were hung up on the old design so this makes sense.

[OdysseyMike]

The construction is similar, but they sure don't sound the same. Both are considerably bright for a flatwound, but the Fenders seem richer and fuller. I think the difference might be in the final polishing step, where Chromes are polished smooth and shiny, but the Fenders are left plain (also making them cheaper than Chromes). All else does seem similar, construction, feel, and tension. But most importantly, the SOUND is different! Just my observations...

[cassius987]

But most importantly, the SOUND is different!

+1

[rickenbrother]

A picture I took at NAMM for Joshua, Scott Popes and anyone else waiting for the 9050CL set to become available.

9050 flatwound string sets.

[NFB-418]

A picture I took at NAMM for Joshua, Scott Popes and anyone else waiting for the 9050CL set to become available.

Fender strings.jpg

They do exist! Thanks for posting, Joey. I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on a few sets.

This might be a stupid question but, since I've never been to NAMM (or any other music trade show for that matter), can you purchase products right there or are they just on display?

[rickenbrother]

I asked. They wouldn't sell me a set. Occasionally exhibitors will sell you stuff, but that's rare and usually on Sundays only. Very rarely you'll catch an exhibitor at the right time in the right mood/conversation and you'll score a freebie.

[iiipopes]

The new Fender flats are Daddario Chromes.

NO, THEY ARE NOT! They are not quite as shiny as D'Addario Chromes. The outer wrap is a different width. These are more stainless than chrome. Instead of the hollow thuddy tone that Chromes have, these have a subdued growl almost like Rotosound Swingbass, but without the edge as they are flat instead of rounds. They are absolutely consistent up the neck and across the neck from string to string, and are very, very balanced and flexible, unlike the Chromes, which are stiff. These new Fender 9050CL's have switched me from a roundwound guy after over 35 years of playing rounds, and trying every flat out there for a week and going back to rounds over time.

Joey - thanks for the picture. A couple of months ago I purchased a set of 9050L's, 45-60-80-100, and scored a 105 from LowEndLover in return for doing some work on his basses, who had been sent a few to try. So I've had a "bootleg" set of 9050CL's from before they were "officially" available. There is only one problem with them: they don't die! If anything, they sound better now as they are settling in. And in the original Leo manner, on my P-style custom fanned fret bass with the HB-1 pickup, I even have foam rubber stuffed under the bridge cover to get a more "upright-ish" tone to them. Absolutely fantastic for jazz band, and probably country or bluegrass if I ever have a gig like that, and pull the foam for everything else.

This is truly the set of strings I have been waiting on for 35+ years.

[cassius987]

A picture I took at NAMM for Joshua, Scott Popes and anyone else waiting for the 9050CL set to become available.

Fender strings.jpg

Thanks for posting that Joey!! It's so good to know these are on the way. If only the gig I was in right now allowed me to use flats on my 4003FL... either way I'm buying more of these for down the road. My 4001FL is loving the one set that I do currently own.

[rickenbrother]

I might have a hard time removing the Chromes from my Cii FG for this set, but you guys have just about talked me into them when I find them for sale.

Funny about the Chromes reference, I was talking with a rep at the Fender accessories booth about these strings and forum chatter about their similarities to Chromes. He swore up and down that it was not D'Addario that was making them! They really aren't supposed to discuss or divulge this kind of info. Though I peeked inside a pack and they did have the same different colored ball ends like D'Addario strings.

[cassius987]

I'm very sure they aren't Chromes, but perhaps distant cousins. The tone is different (Scott Pope described it well), and I think the feel is a little nicer as well. If anyone wants to hear how they sound through the neck position of a 4003FL using a 4002 bridge pickup, I have about an hour of music you can listen to.

The good thing about taking your Chromes off to try these is it'll just break them in more if you put them back on. I have strung up my only set of 9050s three times now and they haven't suffered for it.

[Low End Lover]

I have strung up my only set of 9050s three times now and they haven't suffered for it.

+1. I have had the 2 sets I have on and off the Ric 4003 & 4003FL as I was learning how to do proper setup and they are fine.

LEL