Strings Question.

[Dan_Q]

Hi All,

I know this is a very newbie question, but as your knowledge is so overwhealming on here I thought this would be the best place to ask.

Firstly, when I play my ric I find that I am getting an awful lot of string noise, and some background "clanks." I think this probably a combination of my sloppy, immature technique, and the "new" tone. The tone and response of the rick is so much different than my last bass (crafted in mongolia, marine ply, firewood offcut, with a dull as custard-bucker pickup) so I think that maybe my ears are taking a while to adjust to the instrument. Any thoughts?

Now, my bass is currently strung up on rotosound roundwound lights (40-95), and I'd like to give flats a try- as i believe this can help in cutting down the string noise. But before i go and buy some, I'm a bit worried about string tension. I hear that ricks don't like suspension bridge cables, and the tension is pretty critical on them.

So, does anyone know which type of flatwound string (if any) would give a similar tension to my current strings? I have searched the forum and internet with no luck, apologies in advance if I've missed something obvious.

Please forgive me as I have never bought bass strings before so i want to make sure I get it right. TIA

[rickenbrother]

I'll suggest the D'Addario ECB80SL Super Light Chromes string set or the Thomastik-Infeld JF344 flatwound sets. The TI set is a bit wamer and more mellow than the D'Addario Chromes set. These sets of strings do not have excessive tension and the neck of your 4000 should handle the tension well. Roundwound strings will make more finger noise than flatwounds. Besides trying to improve your technique to make less finger noise, lower the pickup just a little bit to see if you get less clank.

[gshadoan]

You might also want to play around with adjusting the pickup height. If they are too high, and the strings make contact with them allot, you will get a nasty clanking type sound. Especally the treble pickup. Worth a try.

[rickenbrother]

Greg, I'm repeating a comment that you directed at me a couple of weeks ago for agreeing with you on something...is there an echo in here? I guess there is!! Sorry, I couldn't resist!

[hieronymous]

Your bass is a 4000, right? The 4001 & 4003 have two pickups, the pickup that corresponds to the one in your 4000 is often thought of as the "treble pickup" (I say "bridge pickup" as opposed to "neck pickup" myself). So you might want to try and EQ your amp correspondingly - cut the highs a bit and boost the bass. I recorded a bass line with just the bridge pickup and with the right EQ, I was amazed how full and deep it sounded.

Just an idea, before you start experimenting with strings, which can get expensive and frustrating if you have to start adjusting the truss rods, intonation, etc.

[johnallg]

Also, if the 4000 pickup has the .0047uF cap in series with it, shorting it out with a wire will add a lot of low end to the sound.

[Dan_Q]

Great answers, many thanks people

Firstly, I have lowered the pickup and it certainly has helped. Great thinking

Also with reference to the amp settings, I have dailled out some gain and used a bit more volume than my original settings from when I first got my ric, and that seems to have helped too- an even better tone

As for fitting a capacitor I don't really think there is any need as i love the tone my 4000 gives. I also like the way the tone pot has a nice effect of mellowing out the tone, so I mainly have it wound back a third, then when I want the punch I can just turn it back to max and pluck away

I'll suggest the D'Addario ECB80SL Super Light Chromes

I've had a quick read up, and I like the sound of these ones. Just out of interest, is there any reason why you have specified the "SL" which are super long gauge?

Many thanks so far people, you've helped me lots- I knew I'd like it in here

[johnallg]

Daniel, I'm talking about taking a cap OUT, not putting one in. To hear the difference, just take a bare wire and wrap it across the cap wires end to end to short it out and see if you don't like the added balls. You were complaining of excessive clank and string noise. It will round out the tone for you, while also increasing output.

[rickenbrother]

I'll suggest the D'Addario ECB80SL Super Light Chromes

I've had a quick read up, and I like the sound of these ones. Just out of interest, is there any reason why you have specified the "SL" which are super long gauge?

Oops, sorry, I meant ECB80XL.

Does the 4000 have the .0047 cap? I didn't think it did, since it only has one pickup.

[Dan_Q]

John> apologies for that. I might just give it a go then as I plan to change the strings anyway cheers

rickenbrother> nice one, thanks for clarifying, i'll get me a set of those according to the wiring diagram I have for the 4000, it has a .047 cap on the tone pot, whether my guitar still has it remains to be seen. Watch this space!

[rickenbrother]

Dan, that's correct. Your bass should have the .047mf tone cap, but not the .0047mf cap.

[Dan_Q]

ooops my engineering science teacher always warned me about being a factor of ten out

so am I not to try bridging the 0.047 capacitor then?

[rickenbrother]

so am I not to try bridging the 0.047 capacitor then?

If you do, your tone control pot will be useless. Leave the wiring as is.

[johnallg]

Of course Joey's right. I just found the 4000 schematic...
http://www.rickenbacker.com/pdfs/19522.pdf

[Dan_Q]

Awesome thanks again chaps.

In other news, the flatwounds are on their way