9050 Bass Strings, Stainless Steel Flatwound, 9050L .045-.100

These have a smooth feel and even output across the strings. While these are not laBella, Pyramid or Optima, they hold their own well and compared to Pyramid, they have more even output. They are stiffer than the others (including Rotosound Monel flats), so that may be a turnoff for some people. I've used these for decades and they've always been consistent and they sound great. Since they are stiffer and higher tension, I use them with the neck shimmed a little and with no relief/low-action. If you set them up that way, they will settle in a few days to a very nice playing set with a great feel. How do they compare to Chromes you ask? Chromes have a similar feel, but with slightly less tension (a good thing), but they have a strange sound...or at least, they do not sound like traditional flatwounds. The Fenders do.

These strings are baby-butt smooth. Great tone & easy on the fingers. I highly recommend these strings.

I've never played flats before, and now I feel cheated because I'm in love with the sound and feel of these beauties. I strung them on my Squire Affinity PJ and it's a different beast now. The feel is so good. You can move all over the fretboard quickly, without zipper noises, and they feel slick as snot under the fingertips. I lost my callouses from lack of consistent playing and was still able to play 3 hours without any discomfort. Then there is the tone. It makes a bass sound like a bass. Rounds kind of sound like a normal guitar, just pitched lower, but flats have that percussive thump, and a different harmonic series that gives them a real players sound. They make your bass guitar, more of a bass guitar if that makes sense. Far from being dead sounding, I got a good slap sound without any effort at all, and I was also able to lower the action on my guitar a little more without buzz, which combined had me slapping and popping like a fool. You do lose some of the higher harmonics, which makes the strings sound a little more like an upright bass, and a little less like the bass strings in a piano with their harmonic overtones. Lastly, the dynamics are impressive. Whether using your fingers or a pick, the attack is a solid thump and a little faster than rounds. This makes percussive playing especially effective at locking it down with the drums. I play direct to my Fender amplifier without any compression and its sometimes challenging to keep consistent dynamics. I found my ability to control the volume with my fingers and playing techniques was easier for me on flats. It felt more responsive to changes in fingering resulting in slightly easier consistency, but also allowing for rapid changes in volume simply by plucking harder, using single index fingering, etc.

I read another review where a customer bought this long scale set to put on his Fender Mustang bass with a string-thru-body design, just like mine. At such an attractive price, I couldn't help but try a set out. While I managed to get the strings around the tuner posts, the E string wrapped around it like a fat python. I know I could have cut it shorter, but I would also run the risk of slippage. The A string fit better with the aid of a mini screwdriver holding the string up as it tightened around the post. The problem with the Mustang Performer is that most short scale flatwounds are just too short. Right now, these new strings sound fine, but I prefer my bass strings to fit as they were designed to. Maybe mid-length next time, but I'm hoping these strings last me a long, long time.

First time flats user. I like the sound and feel of these just fine. The increase of surface area friction made them feel "sticky" at first, but that feeling diminished with use. No quality issues with the set I received.

On Monday, when I first put these on, I didn’t think I was going to like them. They’re not polished smooth like La Bella’s and they didn’t sound much different from the nickel rounds they replaced. But they were cheap, and at least there was less finger noise, so I didn’t feel like I wasted the money. Once I played them, though, I was impressed by the even tone across the strings; no single string stood out as brighter or duller than the rest, and the sustain went on forever. Now it’s Friday, I’m in love. The overtones have died down and there’s a more percussive thump. The tone is still even and balanced from string to string, and I haven’t lost that eternal sustain. If I were to change anything, I might have gone with the lighter gauge because these are a little hard to fret. I suspect the stiffness will relax with more playing, so I’m not going to hold it against them, and it’s really just and adjustment from the rather supple strings they replaced. I’m already getting used to them, but buyer beware. Overall I’m extremely happy with them and bought a set for my daughter’s bass (in the lighter gauge). 10/10 have already bought again.

They are what they are. Good product.

This set of Medium Light Long Scale is a BIG improvement over the .045 - .100 roundwounds that typically are installed on new basses. The "G"" and "A" are .05 thicker. Because they are stainless steel wrapped they have higher output. Gone is the twangy, wirey tone of the light gauge roundwounds. Nice fuller, bassier bottom end, yet the tone is defined and not muddy. Feels like flat wound string bass strings - pleasant! If you're a slapper, don't waste your money on these! If you're a real bass player who likes a round, pleasing sound for jazz, folk music, C&W, Latin then this is for you. Pitch those beginner strings that came with your new bass. This set has tone - not twang. NOTE: I'm a collector and bought a new/used G&L L2500 Tribute with .045 - .100 roundwounds and have debated selling it because it sounded nasely and twangy. I thought the pickups were bummers! I installed this set of strings - MAGIC! The difference is the stainless steel flatwounds. REMEMBER: 50% of the tone of your instrument is because of your strings. Research it!

Ottime corde, le uso su un basso fretless Yamaha, ho anche inciso in studio... Approvate

These have green cotton on each end. For my bass I had to cut back some of the Green near the bridge to get the E and A strings through. This was easy to do. Slightly duller colour than other manufacturers’ strings. Smooth feel, nice action. I will use these again on P basses and fretless based. Recommend.

Nice

Flats de buena calidad, bonito tono y precio comedido. Mis preferidas son la Rotosound 77, pero...

Kvaliteten är mycket bra, gitarrister vet det väl. Fender strängar är välkända och är en av de bästa.