interesting find on ebay....

[woodyng]

i found a set of vintage NOS maxima flatwound bass strings, the seller thinks the gauge is 40-100 (sleeves are unmarked) and they are for a 33 2/3 scale? these were in maxima packaging,but doesn't this sound similar to the rickenbacker red box strings? i won the auction,and they will be shipped from england this week. i figured if they fit on my 4000 , great,if not i may be able to use them on something else. the seller also had some other vintage maxima string sets (roundwound,nylon tapes). i am really curious about these-i have read here and elsewhere that thomastiks are similar,but i would be surprised if these older strings were based on a roundcore construction like the ti's.

[woodyng]

.........crickets chirping...........and the strings come with a 1957 4000 attached! (sigh)....not!

[ajish4]

Sorry Woody,

I don't know much about those strings, but wasn't Maxima the company that made them for RIC years ago?

Sounds like you made a nice snap, PLEASE let us know what they are like.

I'm after the black set of vintage the RIC outlet keeps listing, but I can't seem to land them.

I want them for my 4003FL AFG, those black strings would look killer!

Jason has a set on his 92FL, and they are killer.

[woodyng]

thanks,tony. i saw those nylon strings,too,and thought,if i had a fretless rick i would get 'em! the maxima strings are coming from england via regular mail,so i will let ya know what i think when (or if) they get here! i do hope they are long enough to work on the 4000.

[johnallg]

Woody, you do realize the 400x basses are a 33.25" scale? So these Maximas should fit fine. I have a set of NOS Rick flats (RICs were Maximas per JH) that I have on my 4003 and they are really great strings. Gauges seem the same IIRC. Slightly looser feel than a flat like the Chromes, but I really like the feel of them and the sound and tone are great.

[woodyng]

john-thanks! i did realize maxima produced the original strings,and have memory of buying a set MANY years ago,and really liking them,so i am looking forward to getting these strings.i had a set of pyramids on my 4000,really liked the sound,but they pulled the bridge up. i installed a hipshot aluminum bridge,which i really like,and i think the maxima's are a smaller gauge than the pyamids anyway. my main concern now is not to put too much tension on the neck-afraid of pulling the set neck loose. i think if they work,i got a bargain-the strings were $52.00 shipped. IIRC,didn't the strings have the light purple silks,(as did the pyramids)?

[johnallg]

Woody, a very good price. The Maximas will be a lot less tension than the Pyramids. And my Rick flats have the purple silk wraps.

[woodyng]

excellent! well,now it's just waitin' to see when they get here......hope santa is involved in watching over the delivery...