dmc79

These are now taken

I recently got some Fender 9050L stainless steel flats, but got a dodgy ‘D’ string. I was sent a full replacement set even though I only needed one string (as all 4 come in the same packet). Instead of just replacing the faulty one, I decided to replace the entire set, even though the rest were nearly new, as I’d cut the originals slightly shorter than intended due to misreading my own notes! So I have 3 spares from the original set, which are only very lightly used, with the ‘D’ string missing. If the rest are of any use I’ll happily send them for free to a UK address: E .100 A .80 G .45 They are long scale, cut for 4 inline Precision bass tuners, and like I said cut slightly shorter than planned, but still a good one & a half wraps round tuning posts.

Belated thanks for the replies. After restringing an acoustic the other day in my lap, it moving about all over the place, and not having enough hands to keep it still whilst holding strings down & winding pegs, I decided that even though doing a bass is nowhere near as fiddly, I never want to restring like this again. I’ve just received the Hercules HA206 folding cradle. The quality of their stands made me want to try this. Whilst I’m sure the solid block ones are good, I like the fact that this folds down flat for storage. I was hoping it wouldn’t feel too flimsy, and I’m pleased to see there’s enough weight for it to seem pretty sturdy. It has little rubber non slip ‘feet’, is height adjustable and has the nice black & yellow colour scheme of their stands. Wish I’d done this years ago! Also ordered a smaller winder for acoustic / electric tuning pegs, I have the wider combined winder / string cutter for bass pegs, which is very cumbersome to use on smaller tuning pegs.

Just tried the Clayton Acetal standard .80 pick. I should’ve known with it being a harder material, but it plays thicker than its gauge due to how stiff it is. I’ve got so used to that bit of flex from medium nylon picks, and these don’t have much give at all, it felt like I was fighting with it the whole time. Feels like a .88 green Tortex to me, or a 1mm nylon. It’s clicky like a Tortex too. It has a decent grip (always found Tortex either too powdery or too smooth in this regard), but for a .80 pick, this is far too stiff for my liking. I suspect I wouldn’t even like their .63 for the same reason. May have to give these away as I have 6 of them and probably won’t use them again.

How did it go Trevor?

Still getting used to the flats vibe, but I must say I really love the smooth feel and lack of finger screech. Still feels a little hard to judge, with how rough the D is. I don’t recall ever getting a duff string before, but this one feels like someone in the factory was having a bad day, and put a Seafoam Green wrap on a stainless steel round for fun, and packaged it in with 3 flats. It sticks out like a sore thumb from the other strings, and may give me sore fingers to play it. Kind of feels too late to contact the seller (a music shop’s eBay store) especially as I left feedback when they arrived. I suppose I could mention it to them, but I doubt they’d split a pack up to send a single string replacement to me. I’ve had a look and it seems you can’t buy these strings individually, which is a shame. I’d happily send someone a few quid for a single Fender 9050L ‘D’ flatwound string (0.60). . .

Fender 9050L flats are on. I guess this is why it’s worth wiping new flats with alcohol. Only had a little play acoustically and haven’t checked the intonation yet, but these strings feel so nice and smooth. Except the D, which is strangely rough and grabby and almost feels like they put a round in by mistake.

Thanks. No nitro finish here anyway. I found some 91% alcohol IPA. I guess I can find a cotton cloth / old t-shirt. You wouldn't use a soft paper hand towel even on flats?

Thanks for your kind offer. I've got the Fender 9050L flats ready to go on, so I'll pass, but thanks anyway. I'll see how the flats go, if I like them I guess I'll keep the Fenders on for a while, then maybe try the Ernie Ball stainless steel Groups.

Thanks. I’m unfamiliar with cleaning new strings, come to think of it I never clean my strings at all, though I do always wash my hands before playing. Can I pretty much use any isopropyl alcohol (IPA) for this? I may have some in the shed, will check when home. I guess you just apply with a soft paper towel or similar? Also I suppose there are packs of IPA wipes out there too. I see there are actual guitar string wipes such as Ernie Ball Wonder Wipes. Are these worth getting? Thanks

Thanks. Whilst I don’t feel the need to bend strings much, I guess what you are meaning is this kind of thing. . . ‘My Echo’ by Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever. Cool slice of summer jangle with a fun video. A fair bit of bending going on here, see 2:00 - 2:20. During the solo bass bit, I really like that tone that is slightly gritty yet still smooth, as opposed to abrasive with a ton of finger screech. I’m guessing he’s using flats there, likely the lower tension ones like TI or La Bella. What do you think? My Fender 9050L strings have arrived & will be going on soon. I keep feeling how smooth they are through the packet!