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Post subject: Re: Fender 9050 Flatwound Strings
Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2013 4:14 pm
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Thanks, Oxfan, for alerting me that I mispelled Babbit's name.
Are players using foam near the bridge with roundwounds trying to get a flatwound sound, or are they just wanting to reduce sustain?
Why would flatwound players use dampening foam?
Is it to make the electric sound more like a standup?
Inquiring minds...

Isn't it the high tension of the A & D strings that many times calls for a truss rod adjustment?


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Post subject: Re: Fender 9050 Flatwound Strings
Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 12:37 pm
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Wick just wanted to add that I switched to 9050s, using a similar gauge, and did NOT have to adjust the rod. Also Fender 9050s kick butt!

As for truss rod adjustments at the heel, I have 4 Fenders that have the adjustment there and NEVER take the neck off to adjust. Take the guard off only, use a flat/slotted screwdriver and make small careful turns (you should'nt turn more than a 1/4 turn anyway) and wait a day for the bass to settle in to the adjustment.

I hear about taking off the neck from a lot of players but it really is not needed. Just eye up where the slot that has the most space ahead of it before you would hit the body and use that one to start the process.


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Post subject: Re: Fender 9050 Flatwound Strings
Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 4:07 pm
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The Labella 760M set at one time was not only far more common than now but actually was one of the few sets on the market. That is one reason so many old school players used it, there were not a lot of alternate choices.

The Labella 760M set not only warped a couple of my Fender necks, but Jamerson's missing Funk Machine's neck was so badly warped that only Jamerson, with his incredible finger strength built up from playing the German upright, could play the thing.

Someone asked why to use muting. With new strings they help tame overtones. In all cases they kill sustain.

Why did Jamerson use foam? Because it came STOCK being stuck onto the bridge cover. It was weatherstripping foam with adhesive on one side from Sears and Roebuck's hardware department. Among other things Jamerson was a big believer in not changing anything from the way the instrument came. He used Labella 760M's because it came with Labella 760M's. He never changed a string unless it broke. He never cleaned his strings. He just played it.

The first player I know that was removing covers was Donald Dunn who removed the pickup cover to play over the pickup. Jamerson never did that ever. Dunn left the bridge cover on till sometime after Stax shut down. He was seen without a bridge cover after that. Babbitt is seen using chunks of foam under the strings he slides up and down to increase or decrease sustain because he's trying to get the Jamerson sound, which requires string muting to make even dead flat strings sound deader. A set of Labella 760M's or any other flat needs muting to get the Jamerson tone. Even if you use a 5 yr old set of flats you still need foam to get that tone.


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Post subject: Re: Fender 9050 Flatwound Strings
Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 6:22 pm
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I have some Sonic Barrier foam left over from my Rumble 75 mods. Man, Oh Man! Is that ever great stuff to shove under your strings! Perfect! :)

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Post subject: Re: Fender 9050 Flatwound Strings
Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2013 2:53 am
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Wick6 wrote:
Thanks, Oxfan, for alerting me that I mispelled Babbit's name.
Are players using foam near the bridge with roundwounds trying to get a flatwound sound, or are they just wanting to reduce sustain?
Why would flatwound players use dampening foam?
Is it to make the electric sound more like a standup?
Inquiring minds...

Isn't it the high tension of the A & D strings that many times calls for a truss rod adjustment?


I never thought you did.

I think the answers to all your questions, are yes.

As far as tension, some are much more than others.

My own personal preference for muting is felt either under, or covering the strings at the bridge. brotherdave shared the way the greats handled this.


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Post subject: Re: Fender 9050 Flatwound Strings
Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2013 3:32 am
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Oxfan,
I initially spelled his name "Bobbitt."
When I saw your correct spelling, I went back and edited my post.

I know I'm changing the initial thread but...
Do most people when adjusting a truss rod try to do so without taking off the neck?


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Post subject: Re: Fender 9050 Flatwound Strings
Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2013 3:42 am
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Wick6 wrote:
Oxfan,
I initially spelled his name "Bobbitt."
When I saw your correct spelling, I went back and edited my post.

I know I'm changing the initial thread but...
Do most people when adjusting a truss rod try to do so without taking off the neck?


Correct spelling is not a requirement here. :D Isn't that why we play bass? Only four letters to remember G,D,A,E. Well there are those who like to show off their academic prowess and add a B.

I never took the neck off to adjust the truss rod.


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Post subject: Re: Fender 9050 Flatwound Strings
Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2013 3:46 pm
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I don't take the neck off unless I feel I need to....but I feel that need often as I get concerned about slipping and nicking the neck or, more likely, the pick guard. Some, like my more recent 2010 J, are darn near impossible to access.

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