Fender 9050CL with toaster and RIHS

[coolingitdown]

Has anybody tried this combination?

Long story short, I'd like to try a set with better balance on my C64 (I have TIs on there now). I'm down to either the 9050CL set or that Optimal 4099 set. I'm told the 9050CL set balances just about perfectly, while the balance on the Optimal set is good.

Wanting to nail Macca's tone is also a factor.

Thanks, guys!

[cassius987]

I think the Fender flats will be fine, if I have any caveats for you it's that they work best at a low action because they are a bit stiff at medium/high action. But I think this is a double-edged sword as it also contributes to their nice sound.

I don't have much confidence in expensive and/or "boutique" strings these days, after playing a few sets of that nature and feeling like they were, if anything, a downgrade from the stuff that gets produced at a much bigger scale. The Fenders are such great strings for the price you should at least give them a shot first. Ironically they also last forever so if that's the horse you choose to ride, it doesn't end up eating too many carrots, if you know what I mean...

Macca's tone makes me think he was favoring the Toaster, or it was just louder. So I think you'll be fine there.

[coolingitdown]

I think the Fender flats will be fine, if I have any caveats for you it's that they work best at a low action because they are a bit stiff at medium/high action. But I think this is a double-edged sword as it also contributes to their nice sound.

Not a problem! the lower the better, IMO.

I don't have much confidence in expensive and/or "boutique" strings these days, after playing a few sets of that nature and feeling like they were, if anything, a downgrade from the stuff that gets produced at a much bigger scale. The Fenders are such great strings for the price you should at least give them a shot first. Ironically they also last forever so if that's the horse you choose to ride, it doesn't end up eating too many carrots, if you know what I mean...

I hear ya. TIs=GREAT tone, TERRIBLE feel. Now that I've played a couple of different tensionally balanced sets, there's no going back.

Macca's tone makes me think he was favoring the Toaster, or it was just louder. So I think you'll be fine there.

I've always felt the same way. I usually have the toaster full on, the RIHS about 50%, and both tone knobs all the way off when I'm trying to get that sound. And mute up, of course!

As always, thanks for the great advice!

[cassius987]

Are you running the cap? If so I bet both pickups at full volume, and just some tone knob roll-off on either, would do the trick nicely.

[coolingitdown]

When I'm trying to cop Macca's tone, yes. I generally disengage the cap otherwise now that I have the push/pull pot installed.

I'll give those settings a try with the cap engaged and see what happens!

[iiipopes]

"Nailing the tone," probably means the Optimas, as they have more nickel content and a similar characteristic to their famous predecessors. The steel Fender flats have more mid growl and a different characteristic in tone and feel. I happen to prefer the growl and the other "feel" attributes of the Fender strings when I use flats. Your mileage will vary.

[aceonbass]

My new 4003 has a RIHS in it and a set of D'Addario chromes (flats). Backing off the treble and favoring the bridge pickup gets me a pretty good Wings at the Speed of Sound tone. I found a toaster to have to soft and unbalanced of a volume, so I put the original high gain back into it. I'm wiring the bass up with vintage spec electronics next weekend.

[coolingitdown]

It's more the Sgt. Pepper tine I'm after, but that's good to know!

I ordered the 9050CL set yesterday from stringsandbeyond.com (I actually ordered 2 sets at 10% off, and shipping is free for orders $35+, so it was effectively about $21/set shipped!). I'm pretty sure i'll be satisfied woth them after all i've heard. I'll find out within a week or so!

[coolingitdown]

So after installing these about a week ago and fiddling with the rods just a bit, the bass is all dialed in with these, and it sounds fantastic and feels amazing! I'll keep the TIs around, but I don't see myself using them again!

I gigged the bass with 9050s installed for the first time this morning, and the action is low, buzz-free and the bass is a joy to play! And the tone really runs the gamut. Very plunky with a lighter touch and quite growly when i dig in.

So yes...another satisfied Fender 9050CL user!

[JakeK]

What strings were on it at SCARF '11, Jon? Cos it sounded pretty sweet then.

Glad to hear you're rocking out and happy. Usually, when one finds the right set of strings, he usually doesn't use anything else!

[coolhandjjl]

I originally put on the Fender's when I got my 7.4K Toaster & RIHS installed in my 4003s, then went to Chromes. More dynamic, but the highs were a bit shrill. I put the Fenders back on, and really like them. With the cap engaged, I run the RIHS at full, or backed off a smidge. With the cap out, I dial the RIHS down quite a bit. But lots of tonal variations either way. I have this bass wired VVT with a .022 tone cap.

IMO, the 9050's are an easy way to get a nice and warm vintage flats tone.

[Low End Lover]

+1. I love me some 9050CL's. Can't imagine anything else on the 4003 as they really do run the gamut on tone. Don't miss the TI's. Now on my guitars, the TI's still rule.

[coolingitdown]

What strings were on it at SCARF '11, Jon? Cos it sounded pretty sweet then.

Glad to hear you're rocking out and happy. Usually, when one finds the right set of strings, he usually doesn't use anything else!

Those were TIs. They really do sound great. The feel just isn't very good, and they aren't that versatile. But what they do, they do well!

I really do love the 9050CL set, though. Great feel AND versatile tone!

[iiipopes]

+1 on lasting forever. I don't even think about bass strings anymore. Eventually, they will need changing, and I hope Fender is still making the 9050CL set at that point, as string companies are notorious for chasing fads.

My favorite set of guitar flats were similar: a set of Gibson flats they used to make up until a few years ago. Then they got all "market-y" about having a "dedicated humbucker string" and quit making the steel flats. I have GHS ground rounds on it right now, but I miss the Gibson guitar flats.

[coolingitdown]

+1 on lasting forever. I don't even think about bass strings anymore. Eventually, they will need changing, and I hope Fender is still making the 9050CL set at that point, as string companies are notorious for chasing fads.

My favorite set of guitar flats were similar: a set of Gibson flats they used to make up until a few years ago. Then they got all "market-y" about having a "dedicated humbucker string" and quit making the steel flats. I have GHS ground rounds on it right now, but I miss the Gibson guitar flats.

I hope they keep making them for the small (but enthusiastic) group of us that love them! I think they'll sell out very quickly if they are ever discontinued.