Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

well I have just this week put Daddario Chrome flats on my 4003, so far I really like them, but never having used flats before I have nothing to compare them to.
How do flats sound on a 4004 Cheyenne ii ?

RicOshea wrote: How do flats sound on a 4004 Cheyenne ii ?

D'Addario Chromes sound excellent on a 4004Cii. After I had installed them, I had to lower the pickups because the stainless steel wrap of the strings and the power of the HB1 pickups made such a hot output that they were killing the speakers in some of the lousier cabs at the studio where I practice.

They may not be "Chromes" but they are nothing like the old Fender flats that I have been using. I think as flats go these are VERY roundwound sounding and maybe that's a good thing for some of the players on this forum. I am very disappointed in the new construction and glad I have several sets of the "old" Fender flats. I installed the new green label flats on a bass and sent it to ebay. I think if you want a flatwound that is very flexible and twangy with no thud, the new Fenders will be the bees knees. Enjoy.

Anybody have any more info on the 9050CLs? I keep checking, but no one has them. About two weeks ago, I asked my local shop to attempt to get them from their Fender rep(s) and haven't heard anything yet.

It has been strangely silent, given all of the "after the first of the year" talk we heard. There were multiple sightings at NAMM, so we know they exist!

But when can we get our hands on them?

Just watch JustStrings.com, that is where they are bound to show up first. My understanding was "some time in February" so I won't be pestering anyone until March.

Of course I am lucky enough to already have a set so I don't have to be as impatient...

cassius987 wrote:Of course I am lucky enough to already have a set so I don't have to be as impatient...

Lucky guy.

For anyone that has a set of 9050CLs, would they be too floppy tuned down a whole step?

Not at all. I think they come in at 40 lbs/string tuned EADG, so DGCF is probably more like 30+ lbs. It would probably be very resonant-sounding but you'd have to play with a softer touch.

cassius987 wrote:Of course I am lucky enough to already have a set so I don't have to be as impatient...

Joshua, did you get an actual set of CLs, or perhaps you replaced the .100 from the light set with the .105 from the medium?

NFB-418 wrote:Joshua, did you get an actual set of CLs, or perhaps you replaced the .100 from the light set with the .105 from the medium?

Close. Between myself, LowEndLover, and iiipopes, some .105'' singles were acquired from the guy in charge of these strings.

at band practice on sunday I used my 4003 with my new chrome flats, they sounded great, especially on 'Come Together'. I also tune down half step for a few songs & I hardly noticed the difference.
Thumbs up from me so far

cassius987 wrote:

NFB-418 wrote:Joshua, did you get an actual set of CLs, or perhaps you replaced the .100 from the light set with the .105 from the medium?

Close. Between myself, LowEndLover, and iiipopes, some .105'' singles were acquired from the guy in charge of these strings.

You might say we have "bootleg" CL sets. Life is great.

Patience doesn't run in my family so I went to a local music store that stocks the 9050L and 9050M sets. I flat out asked if I could get a discount if I bought both sets and explained that I all I wanted out of the medium set was the .105. Well, it's good to ask for what you want because the clerk basically gave me both sets for the price of one. Of course, it probably helped that those strings had been collecting dust on the shelf for who knows how long.

I'm in love with this set. It has great tone and balance, and maintains the 4003's signature punch. Plus, I had been using Chromes for a long time (ECB84s) and the upgrade from a .100 E and .40 G to a .105 and .45, respectively, is noticeable.

NFB-418 wrote:Patience doesn't run in my family so I went to a local music store that stocks the 9050L and 9050M sets. I flat out asked if I could get a discount if I bought both sets and explained that I all I wanted out of the medium set was the .105. Well, it's good to ask for what you want because the clerk basically gave me both sets for the price of one. Of course, it probably helped that those strings had been collecting dust on the shelf for who knows how long.

I'm in love with this set. It has great tone and balance, and maintains the 4003's signature punch. Plus, I had been using Chromes for a long time (ECB84s) and the upgrade from a .100 E and .40 G to a .105 and .45, respectively, is noticeable.

How is the sustain?

SMR 78 wrote:How is the sustain?

Fabulous. In comparison to the Chromes, much better. Of course, as you know, a good set up is half the battle.