Rick/Maxima Flats

fran4001 · Post by **fran4001** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 10:55 am

Just wrapped up a nice little rainy Sunday project, and can't stop giggling. Last month I picked up a MINT May '78 4001 Jetglo and today gave it a good breakdown/cleanup/Scratch-X & Zymol treatment. But that's not the good news. I was lucky enough to score a new unused set of 70s vintage Rick/Maxima flatwounds for it, just like the day it left the factory. What a trip back! That feel, that sound, the dark purple silk on the ball end. Heaven! More than enough joy to counter the rather steep price tag, but really no worse than the price of the "Tetrahedron" flats. Forum member Tracy Sands set me up with them, and I can't thank him enough. He does have a limited number of sets left. I also got three sets of medium scales for my Hofners, and same great result. I would certainly recommend anyone interested to get in touch with Tracy. Obviously these strings aren't often available. Especially new old stock. Actually, RIC should find some way to get Maxima or the Maxima process available again. Great strings.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 6:57 pm

What do they feel and sound like? I've heard they were very light.

bigbajo60 · Post by **bigbajo60** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 7:17 pm

I remember them being very supple on my '77 4001. Wish I could've heard that bass through my current "modern" rig.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 5:25 am

They were on my brand new 77 4001 for about 2 seconds until I got it home and put Rots on it, I do remember them now as being light gauge. They felt good when I tried one out in the store if I remember right.

brycycle · Post by **brycycle** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:19 am

Tracy:

i'd be very interested in a set if you could please drop me an e-mail w/ pricing.

thank you

fran4001 · Post by **fran4001** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 11:59 am

Regarding feel and sound, I'll try to put it in words. Very Thomastik-like in both feel and sound, but just the slightest bit stiffer. I mean slightest. To my ears, it seems to also give them a slightly more solid sound too. All the way up to the end of the G string too. They don't get tinny up top, which was a pleasant surprise. They're just a bit more polished too, which makes them feel like glass compared to the T-Is, which are a bit sticky for a while. I'm not knocking T-I s because I have them on several basses, but the Rick just sounds better with these. Unfortunately, the original packaging makes no mention of the gauges. My guess is maybe .100, .075 .060 and .045. Anybody here know exactly what they were? No adverse effect on the neck, and no adjustment needed going from the D'Addario Slowound .045-.100 set that was on it. Definitely a lo-mid tension string. Like alot of the T-I/Pyramid/Maxima type strings, the E always seems more dead, but I think it's more a function of the rest of the set being a bit bright. After 4 hours of playing it, they evened right out. Although they sound nice with a pick (think of the Bee Gees "You Should Be Dancing" sound, done on a 4001 I believe), for me they kill fingerstyle, which is where I earn my money anyway! As I said last night, if you're not afraid to spend too much on strings, you'll be thrilled with them. Also, they're sweet on the Hofners too!

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 2:40 pm

Could they be .105 .075 .055 and .045 like the new Ric strings?

fran4001 · Post by **fran4001** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 3:24 pm

Bob, I thought that too, but I'm just not sure. We know the new rounds are those gauges, but do they even have new flats? And if so, what are those gauges? Wish I had a micrometer here! The A does feel heavier than the new Rick A on my V63. I'm hoping another of the older (like me...) posters chimes in with some solid info. Maybe even JH remembers.