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

Shipped quick, arrived quick, in flawless condition. That said, these strings are amazing. Slightly more robust sound, takes a fuzz pedal well, and I enjoy the glassy surface for the slides I do. These were a first for me, as the only other flat wound experience I've had was with a 6 string fretless bass from China (great bass, but they equipped it with round wounds for whatever reason), which I had to immediately swap with the cheapest set of flat wounds from a local music store. These strings are leaps and bounds better than the ones I'd tried on the 6 string. These will be going on my Warlock soon, as well, but the next size up, as it is, in fact, a Warlock! Testing these on the Spector Performer 4, 2022, passive PJ setup through a generic 40 watt bass amp. A few sessions in, these are still amazing.

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.

I really like the strings on my bass guitar. They have a great tone and they very easy on the fingers with no noise sliding my fingers up and down the frets. That is the reason I bought them because they are easier on your fingers. I tune up my bass guitar up before I play, and it will still be in tune when I finish. I playing two bands and they have held up good. I have used other brands, but after getting these strings, I will not go back to the other brands. I will buy them again!

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.

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.

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

These are less shiny looking than my last La Bella set. But I bought the Fender 55 for the thicker gauge. Love the thunderous sound. Will be buying again.

Feel great ion fingers. So smooth. Sound fantastic. Will not chew up frets like round wounds. Didn’t expect to feel the extra core tension, but not bad, just different. Easy to get used to. Great bass strings, great feel, nicely priced, and very cool sound!