Fender Flats

[njr911]

Having used a couple of sets of Lakland flats I much prefer the feel and tone of Fender strings. Unfortunately while I've been away Fender seem to have stopped making 45-105 gauge.

I now need to choose 50-105 or 45-100 ? Whice will I notice least ?

Alternatively, who makes Fenders strings? Maybe they still do the 45-105.

[discreet]

You could also go 9050ML 50-100 - I found these to be very well balanced. Nice price, too.
I usually use 45-105 Status Half-Wounds.

Edited July 16, 2014 by discreet

[sblueplanet]

My fav Fender flats are the 40-100 gauge, super light, which have been discontinued :-(

[Cat Burrito]

The G starts heavier but I picked some up just the other week http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-7350-Stainless-Steel-Flatwound-Bass-Strings-9050L-9050Ml-9050M-/231279579479?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&var=&hash=item35d9565157

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='njr911' timestamp='1405544797' post='2502973']
Alternatively, who makes Fenders strings? Maybe they still do the 45-105.
[/quote]
It's generally accepted that Fender strings are now made by D'Addario.

That's not to say that they are the same as D'Addario labeled strings.

[miles'tone]

[quote name='njr911' timestamp='1405544797' post='2502973']
Having used a couple of sets of Lakland flats I much prefer the feel and tone of Fender strings. Unfortunately while I've been away Fender seem to have stopped making 45-105 gauge.

I now need to choose 50-105 or 45-100 ? Whice will I notice least ?

Alternatively, who makes Fenders strings? Maybe they still do the 45-105.
[/quote]

I feel your pain as I loved the CL set too.
I'd go for the 100-45 set as the A,D and G are the same with only the E being a tad lighter so doubt you'd notice too much difference (I've used the 100-40 set and never found the E lacking)
The 105-55 set has much heavier A, D and G so you'd notice the difference there more I expect.

[scottas]

Also disappointed at the loss of the CL

La Bella T60FL are a similar gauge 104, 82, 60, 43 but at least twice the price!

Status Hot wires were rated in a previous thread and are similar in price but are either 100, 80, 60, 40 or 105, 85, 65, 45

[Beer of the Bass]

It's annoying, as I wanted to try the 5-string Fender flatwounds with their tapered B. I just missed the last few sets on eBay!

Edited July 21, 2014 by Beer of the Bass

[iiipopes]

I am also frustrated that Fender stopped the 45-105 CL set. Through experimentation, I found that an Ernie Ball 105 has a similar tone and feel when my Fender 105 finally thumped out. I was so frustrated I gave up on all of them and switched to La Bella black tapewounds, regular gauge. I had to adjust my nut slots and go with EMG actives to eliminate noise (the black tape prevented the strings from making the metal-to-metal contact necessary to properly ground the strings to the bridge plate to kill hum, noise and buzz; EMG actives don't utilize bridge grounding). But it was so worth it!

[njr911]

bought the 50-100 and the 45-100

45-100 haven't turned up so looks like the 50's win for my gig this weekend.

[discreet]

[quote name='njr911' timestamp='1406299749' post='2510377']
bought the 50-100 and the 45-100. 45-100 haven't turned up so looks like the 50's win for my gig this weekend.
[/quote]

I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
Disclaimer: The disappointment level of flats can go down as well as up.

Edited July 25, 2014 by discreet

[chris_b]

[quote] ....several sets of Lakland flats....[/quote]

I thought flats were supposed to last a lot of years per set!

How long did yours last?

[njr911]

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1406307629' post='2510507']
I thought flats were supposed to last a lot of years per set!

How long did yours last?
[/quote]

One lost the silk after a swap to a different bass so would no longer stay stable. The replacement set is almost new but I dust don't enjoy the feel, almost set's my teeth on edge for some reason, They are coming off and going on Sales Corner this week!