Blue steels on a ric
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
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jwr2
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ricnvolved
A trusted & extremely knowledgeable source recently informed me that the capacitor is now pretty much an anachronism. The reason? Today's modern bass amps are now capable of providing extra treble that just wasn't available in most of the bass gear from 35 to 40 years ago. While the re-issue horseshoe & toaster pick-ups DO indeed produce a noticeably different tone from the standard hi-gains, the addition of the capacitor is unnecessary. For those considering installing the horseshoe/toaster combination in your 4003/4001 (like I will be doing very soon), save yourself the trouble of adding the capacitor. Chances are that whatever brand of amp you're using can adequately compensate for the absence of the capacitor by boosting your treble, or making the appropriate adjustment on your EQ controls.
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jwr2
Jeff, I don't think the 4001v63 has the capacitor. In any case, I prefer the high gains and no capacitor to the old horseshoe and toaster, and I also have Pyramid flats on my 4004. It has nothing to do with the pickups, I just generally prefer the sound of flats.
The old pickups weren't "designed" for flats, there was simply nothing else available. Even when the high gains were introduced, Rick strings were flatwound.
You don't need flats or rounds with a particular pickup, you need what suits your tonal needs and preferences. You prefer rounds, and that's fine. We promise not to hurt you. ;^)
The old pickups weren't "designed" for flats, there was simply nothing else available. Even when the high gains were introduced, Rick strings were flatwound.
You don't need flats or rounds with a particular pickup, you need what suits your tonal needs and preferences. You prefer rounds, and that's fine. We promise not to hurt you. ;^)
Jeffery & Dave make two excellent points:
Jeffery's point that the EQ on most modern amps (or amp emulators such as a SansAmp) can compensate for any frequencies that the PU don't provide, is spot on.
With that said it is possible to EQ flatwounds and get a "round punchy growl" think Steve Harris with Iron Maiden or Phil Lynott with Thin Lizzy (though neither were notable RIC users).
Conversely roundwounds can be equalized to get a "warm dull thud". My sources at Rotosound tell me that Sir Paul is currently using nickle roundwounds on his Hofner & stainless steel on his Rickenbacker & Wal.
With the recording technology today you can make anything sound good, prime example: Britany Spears voice.
String preference is a personal choice based on one's ears, fingers, musical influences, tonal needs and other intangible factors (you might simply like the packaging). Dave's point is spot on, you need to go with what suits your tonal preference.
BTW Dave, thanks for promising not to hurt any of us roundwound users
A quick joke: What is the difference between a Britany Spears video & a porno soundtrack?
-Porno's have better music.
Jeffery's point that the EQ on most modern amps (or amp emulators such as a SansAmp) can compensate for any frequencies that the PU don't provide, is spot on.
With that said it is possible to EQ flatwounds and get a "round punchy growl" think Steve Harris with Iron Maiden or Phil Lynott with Thin Lizzy (though neither were notable RIC users).
Conversely roundwounds can be equalized to get a "warm dull thud". My sources at Rotosound tell me that Sir Paul is currently using nickle roundwounds on his Hofner & stainless steel on his Rickenbacker & Wal.
With the recording technology today you can make anything sound good, prime example: Britany Spears voice.
String preference is a personal choice based on one's ears, fingers, musical influences, tonal needs and other intangible factors (you might simply like the packaging). Dave's point is spot on, you need to go with what suits your tonal preference.
BTW Dave, thanks for promising not to hurt any of us roundwound users
A quick joke: What is the difference between a Britany Spears video & a porno soundtrack?
-Porno's have better music.
He walked out to face his arch-enemies with his arch-supporters.
Ed:"The great thing about Rickenbacker's are: no matter what type of string (flat, round, tape) RICs still have a distinct & awesome sound that brings out the best in the player. As proven by Chris Squire, Geddy, Sir Paul, John Camp & Roger Glover among others. "
Right on, sir !
I just love the RIC basses to death...
In fact, the strings on my 4003 now are the Dean Markley nickel plated med. light (45-65-80-105) set. This is the 1st set of new strings substituting the original factory (45-55-75-105) set that came with the bass, which I had played for 4 months.(I play with a heavy pick.) The Markleys are, IMHO, a bit warmer and tuby, solid sounding than the factory (ghs- made?) strings, maybe due to the fact that they are nickel plated and heavier gauge wise. Overall, these strings are OK.
I think I'll go on looking for strings in that gauge range with lighter tension both for a more "swingy" sound and ease on the fingers.
I'll go on trying out other strings(rounds and flats) and see/hear what happens.
Right on, sir !
I just love the RIC basses to death...
In fact, the strings on my 4003 now are the Dean Markley nickel plated med. light (45-65-80-105) set. This is the 1st set of new strings substituting the original factory (45-55-75-105) set that came with the bass, which I had played for 4 months.(I play with a heavy pick.) The Markleys are, IMHO, a bit warmer and tuby, solid sounding than the factory (ghs- made?) strings, maybe due to the fact that they are nickel plated and heavier gauge wise. Overall, these strings are OK.
I think I'll go on looking for strings in that gauge range with lighter tension both for a more "swingy" sound and ease on the fingers.
I'll go on trying out other strings(rounds and flats) and see/hear what happens.
My favorites strings by far are the Thomastik Infeld Jazz - Nickel Flatwound Roundcore Long Scale - .043 .056 .070 .100. About half the price of those "Egyptian" strings and, they are hand wound in Vienna with a very springy feel to them. Less tension and a lighter guage. You can also get the 43/56/70-106 set if you like the heavier e string. A lot of pro players are starting to swear by them.
David,
The TIs are exactly what I have in mind to try out for the next set of new strings.
"Hand wound in Vienna", that really sounds like temptation to me !
They've been praised for having lighter tension than other brands in the same gauge range.
There is no one selling TI strings in my country and I shall go on the net and search for my prefered gauge.
Will you be kind to tell me where to get them?
By the way,
Merry 'Xmas and, again, good luck on your Rickenstein projet.
The TIs are exactly what I have in mind to try out for the next set of new strings.
"Hand wound in Vienna", that really sounds like temptation to me !
They've been praised for having lighter tension than other brands in the same gauge range.
There is no one selling TI strings in my country and I shall go on the net and search for my prefered gauge.
Will you be kind to tell me where to get them?
By the way,
Merry 'Xmas and, again, good luck on your Rickenstein projet.
Paul, happy to help. I get them from a local music store, but Steve at "The Dude Pit" has them and he ships worldwide! Check out Steve's "for bass players only" website and boards. There's no rick page (probably because everything rick is covered here or at VT) but there are many discussion groups and I usually read "Sippin' Soda Pop with Goober." It can be quite amusing.
http://pub41.ezboard.com/fthedudepitfrm18.showMessage?topicID=218.topic Cheers, Happy Grimble, David
http://pub41.ezboard.com/fthedudepitfrm18.showMessage?topicID=218.topic Cheers, Happy Grimble, David
Paul-Thanks & glad you agree.
On the topic of flat & roundwound strings, some interesting info. I found out from one of my sources at Rotosound that Sir Paul actually used Swing Bass RS66 "roundwounds" on tracks from Revolver to Let It Be. The tracks weren't specified.
This is quite a stunner since I was under the impression that Sir Paul used tapewounds & flats during his tenure with the Beatles.
Has anybody tried mixing both flats & roundwound strings on their RICs?
On the topic of flat & roundwound strings, some interesting info. I found out from one of my sources at Rotosound that Sir Paul actually used Swing Bass RS66 "roundwounds" on tracks from Revolver to Let It Be. The tracks weren't specified.
This is quite a stunner since I was under the impression that Sir Paul used tapewounds & flats during his tenure with the Beatles.
Has anybody tried mixing both flats & roundwound strings on their RICs?
He walked out to face his arch-enemies with his arch-supporters.
To answer the original question, I've been very happy with using Markley Blue Steels (custom 45-65-85-105 set, although I'm thinking of moving to a slightly thicker non-custom 50-70-85-105 set - I break A strings like mad if I try to use the 45-65-80-105 sets) on my '78 4001.
And yes, with proper eq on both the bass and amp, and fingerstyle playing, I've successfully gotten a "round", "thumpy" sound that would work just fine with "vintage" 60's pop or dub/reggae music.
And yes, with proper eq on both the bass and amp, and fingerstyle playing, I've successfully gotten a "round", "thumpy" sound that would work just fine with "vintage" 60's pop or dub/reggae music.
My basses are Rickenbackers. My synthesizers and recording gear are analog.