Rounds, Flats and Tape (again)

[Starless]

Having been a 4001 owner way, way back I recently became a 4003 owner and settling on the strings to use for it has been a bit of an eye (or ear) opener for me.

My old 4001 used flats, Rotosound as I recall, because that was what you put on a Ric. It is only recently that I learned that the 4003 used a beefed-up neck to accomodate rounds, and that is now considered the 'stock' or 'factory' strings. I had never played rounds prior to getting the 4003 and although sonically not too bad, I really couldn't see myself doing much playing with them as I am not into rubbing my fingers up and down a cheese grater at the best of times.

So, remembering the last time I played the 4001 (early 80's) I changed the rounds for black nylon tapewounds. Mmmmmm, beautiful to play, bit lacking in treble (of course) but a dream nonetheless. It is a bass instrument after all, and I really don't want to emulate those 70's proggers who squeezed sonic hell out of their basses in the pursuit of being 'different' and 'out there'. Gimmicks, gimmicks.

Last week I went for the middle option and slapped on some Rotosound Monel flats. Still a much better playing experience than the rounds, but I wasn't sure where the blacksmiths were hiding. There must have ben a whole gang of them secreted somewhere nearby, hammering away on their anvils whenever I started playing. Clank, clank, clank. What a racket.

Needless to say, it will be back to the nylons....

[jwr2]

I used Round wounds on my old weak necked 1968 4001 for 30 years and it was fine ... also I used rounds on 73, 74, 76, 79, 4001 basses ... and numerous 4003 and 4004 basses ....

use the strings that have the sound you want.

Welcome to the forum!

[nukebass]

I've found that new flats tend to be harder on my fingers than RIC made rounds. It could be all in my head, though. The other thing I found out, through reading these forums and talking to my dealer, is that not all flats are low tension. Rotos, or so I was told, are high tension flats (I think Fenders are, too) and aren't any better on the neck of an old 4001 than rounds. I've recently converted to TI Jazz flats for my 4001 and, now that I've broken them in, they are the best string I've put on it.

[rickfan63]

I've used Rotosound flats in the past. They are fine strings when you can get a good fresh set. I've never used tapewounds before, so I can't comment on that. But on rounds or flats, when you have the tone controls turned up, the clank is going to be there. A lot of people like that. I use that sound to quite often. But when I want something more mellow, I turn the tone controls down to about 1/3 up, or sometimes completely off. I usually play with the treble pu all the way up, and the bass pu about 2/3 up. So when I turn the tone controls down, I get a nice mellow, but round sounding tone. I use DR nickel Lo-Riders on my V63 and C64, and Hi-Beams on my 4003.

Regardless though, use what you like and are comfortable with. What works for one player, might not be what another is looking for. I have always found it fun to experiment, though not always cheap.

[rictified]

D'Addario Chromes are very good sounding strings, I also use flats pretty much exclusively (I have one 4001 with Ric RW's on it which never gets used). Rotosound flatwounds are high tension and twang way too much, they might as well be RW's. Fenders are fairly high tension, but sound good and 4003's can take them, in fact some of the later 4001's can also take them. TI's are nice very low tension flats similar to original Ric 4001 strings, from what I've been told, I took them off my new 77 the day I got it home as I had to have that Rotosound sound. I use Chromes a lot these days, they have some bite to them and cut right through but also have a nice full bottom sound, they are the best of both worlds for me. This has been a gradual shift for me over the past 5-6 years from when I first switched from D'Addario Blue Steels to flats. D'Addario makes some nice strings.

[rickfan63]

I use Chromes on my OLP/MM bass and they sound excellent. Thay are fine sounding flats.

[vincent_gallo]

Keep in mind that low quality versions of any string type can be brutal and so comparing top quality versions of different type strings will offer more insight to the type of string right for you. Low quality flats, rounds or black nylon strings can suck regardless so trying out good quality strings of each type will give you a better chance to make the right decision as to what type are best for you. My favorite strings for 60’s Rickenbacker basses are the original Rickenbacker flats from the 60’s. They never wear out and I am still playing sets from my teenage years. The Rotosounds issued in the 1970’s when fresh out of the package were something special however production of those seems to have changed a bit. Chris Squire told me he is still playing with new Rotosounds but I think he may agree they are not exactly the same or as good. Most of the bigger brands change production so often it is hard to settle down with a brand. When I worked in music gear retail I remember the price markup for commercial brands of strings was gigantic. The wholesale price of mainstream brands was shockingly low. For example the wholesale price for a set of mainstream guitar strings could be as low as 60 cents a set and those strings would sell for $6. So regardless of retail you would be using a set of 60 cent set of strings. The companies who manufactured those strings were under great pressure to look for ways to keep making their strings cheaper. The upscale brands seemed to make a string that fit their specs and then priced them accordingly with a more natural markup.

What brands and era of production do you guys like?

[jps]

So far I have been quite please with all the different types of TI strings. I have several sets of Jazz Rounds on my Ricks and a Fender, and I use their Acousticores on my Rick Turner. The feel is much nice than other brands I have used and their tone is consistent with the sound I like, as usual, YMMV. For flats I have been happy with D'Addario Chromes; they give me that nice '60s Rick tone, McCartney-like, with a bit more bite than can be rolled off if desired. When I had my Fender AV '62 Jazz Bass I used TI Jazz Flats that produced some of the best recorded tone from a JB, IMO. I just received on Friday a new '08 4003 that I may put TI JFs on as I have not tried those strings on any Rick other than a 4004Cii, which did sound excellent. The only caveat with TI, at least these particular TIs is getting used to the extremely low tension. After having done so I find more typical strings to feel rough and they seem like bridge cables now!