Flatwound strings vs roundwound

SixtyFour · Post by **SixtyFour** » Fri May 18, 2001 9:14 am

Gerry, (string gauge ?) identical to the current Rick round wound bass set, that's what is so nice about them. I sent an email off to John Hall asking if he would consider using the "flats" on the "C" series bass models. He replied that the company which originally manuf. them no longer has them available. I guess Tracy Sands is the only source then ? tnx for your reply, good luck always with THE '64!

eddier · Post by **eddier** » Thu Apr 04, 2002 12:00 pm

Gents:
I have been a loyal Rotosound RS66 Roundwound Stainless steel 105-45 user for over 15+ years.

We have posts from players who use roundwounds, other players use various brands of flatwounds.
Each of us has a particular gauge that suits us & action to match.

Bottom line (no pun intended)is that RICS are so well made & versatile, it doesn't seem to matter what type of bass string we use. RIC's still deliver each of us that great bass tone.

ric4003 · Post by **ric4003** » Sat Apr 06, 2002 4:40 pm

After going the Rotosound route for a while, I switched over to Ken Smith steel roundwounds, & I have never looked back. They give the classic Ric roundwound sound, & stay sounding good & bright for a VERY long time--literally months (it seemed the Rotos were good for about 3 days...). Excellent strings.

gpatt5762 · Post by **gpatt5762** » Sat Apr 06, 2002 5:50 pm

Anyone here ever try Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Bass flats on their Rick?

On my RI '62 Precision they are very malleable feeling, that is, they don't seem to fight you like, say, Roto-Sound flats (the only other brand of flat I've ever tried). They feel nice and slick as well, and the strings buzz more too.

Would one of you put them up against Pyramids?

Garry

tsarter · Post by **tsarter** » Sun Apr 07, 2002 2:54 pm

Garry,

I have a set of TI jazz flats on my 4001 V63. I really like the feel of the strings, but they are a little thin sounding for my tastes. I'll probable pull them off and put on a set of La Bellas, or D'Addario Chromes - both flats that I am very fond of.

ts

gpatt5762 · Post by **gpatt5762** » Sun Apr 21, 2002 4:07 am

I just got this '96 4003S off eBay that came with flats that have dark blue silk warps.

Can anyone identify the maker of these?

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Sun Apr 21, 2002 1:21 pm

sounds like GHS brite flats

scott_s · Post by **scott_s** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 2:04 pm

Are the dark blue wraps at the headstock end of the strings? Could be Fender flats.

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 6:45 pm

While we are on the subject of trying to identify strings by the colored silk wrap on the ends,
and, assuming that a particular color is not used
by more than one mfr., I need this info as well,
if anyone could help.I had an early 90s v63 bass I got used, that someone put non stock strings on, and I really liked them.I guess you could have called them "half-rounds", but I never played any other half rounds that were this smooth, even the Rick factory stock ones, though I think Rick was Not using the same string supplier 10 years ago as now. These halfrounds had a medium brown wrap on them,and at least from my experiences with different brands, I think they might have been Markleys.After I traded this bass for a different v63 I liked better, I saved these strings and continued to use them for a few years more.Whatever they are[were], I wish I could find them again.Any clues, guys??

mortivan · Post by **mortivan** » Sat Apr 27, 2002 6:34 am

Wow! You liked them so much you actually yanked them off the bass you were selling and reused them on a different bass? I'm interested in the brand and make too!

Anybody work at a decent size music store? Most string sets are obviously easy to examine without disturbing the packaging...

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Sat Apr 27, 2002 8:00 am

Anytime I get a new axe, especially a bass, unless the strings are totally gone, I take 'em off and save them. Never know when a spare comes in handy! Actually, they're good to use if you're doing tension setups and you have to tune up, then loosen the strings alot to get something just right.I hate using new strings to do setups
that involve doing, undoing, and redoing.Besides,Rick strings are 2 on a side for the tuner set up, like my Guild Starfire, but longer scale, and I can steal Rick bass strings
to fit the shorter scale Guild If needed.

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Sun Apr 28, 2002 2:00 pm

Markley flatwounds and 1/2 rounds do indeed use a brown silk wrap .
They are nice strings .

With the Guild tailpiece , I am surprised they done require a medium if not long scale string!

I could make you a Guild type tailpiece that would look similar but be shorter , so you could use long scale strings .

At least the anchor block would be relocated , the rest could remain the same visualy.

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Sun Apr 28, 2002 3:17 pm

With the Guild tailpiece , I am surprised they done require a medium if not long scale string!

I could make you a Guild type tailpiece that would look similar but be shorter , so you could use long scale strings .

At least the anchor block would be relocated , the rest could remain the same visualy.

I can use any length on the 30-1/2" Guild I want.
If you used a longer string as for Fender or Rick, the end just gets cut to whatever length I actually need to do the string post wrap.I Never have Any problem with"slippage" on the Guild.
Everything works fine and adjusts easily on the Guild, which is more than can be said about the 4001 bridge, if you know what I mean.