Flatwound strings vs roundwound

[marcus]

After reading the "bass players" article on flatwounds I was confused about the stringtension issue. As most of you know older rick basses were designed for flats. And because of the extra
stringtension caused by roundwounds a lot of older necks got problems. (At least that's what I have been told). Now in the article they state
that flats actually create more tension.
So the question then is why do roundwounds create problems for these older toss-ruds?
Can anyone shine a light on this?

Thanks,

Marcus

[leftybass]

For what its worth I have always used light gauge roundwounds on my 72 and 79 4001's(.40-.95) and have not adjusted the rods on either bass (I have owned the '79 for 21 years). The '72 I bought recently and it is set up really sweet; I plan to make no adjustments to it. Maybe most people associate the problem with the single-rod system on the earlier basses; mine both have dual-rods and do just fine.

[squirebass]

I have a '73 that has had nothing but Rotosound rounds on it for years... Never had a problem with it and the neck stays straighter than the ones on my v63s... I think the problem is when an inexperienced person tries to adjust the old style truss rods and turns them too much -- then they can easily pop off the fretboard...
Mark the MD has covered this a bunch and has it in the FAQ section of Rickenbacker Research page.
Check out the "Ask A Rickenbacker Luthier" section of this forum for more info...

[bassman]

I must concure with leftybass and Squirebass. I also use light gauge roundwound (Markley Blue Steel) strings on my 72 without any problems. I use med-light gauge on my 88 4001v63 and have since I bought it new.
Back in the mid 70's I always used Rotosounds on my 4001, but I got tired of buying dead strings. There was always a dead string in very set, so I changed brands but stayed with roundwounds.
I've had to make a minor truss rod adjustment to the 4001v63 once in the past 13+ yrs, but never to my 4001.
I am going to put a set of med-light gauge on the 4001 next time I change the strings. I've always preferred them over light gauge strings.
Cheers

[leftybass]

Yep---Rotosounds, although an industry standard, wouldnt last long enough for me tone-wise so I started experimenting. Even before that I used Rickenbacker strings which were okay....I now use GHS Bass Boomers on everything I own except my Hofner which I will probably never change the strings on. I think Joe Osborn still has the original set of strings on the Jazz Bass he does sessions with!!!! Aren't they like 40 years old??

[lucien_S]

I concur. Most of the cheezier flatwounds actually have more tension than good light-gauge round wounds. I did find a set of nice flatwounds that are VERY pliable and low-tension (I use these on my G&L L2000 fretless), but I can't remember who makes them.

I use GHS bass boomers in the lightest gauge I can find (40-90 I think) on my 4003, I also used these on my 4001 before I sold it with no problems. The 4003, though, is build like a brick outhouse, so you could probably use any kind of string on it you wanted.

Never been a Rotosound fan myself.... GHS are better quality, IMHO.

[Gerry]

Rotosounds are a steel/iron string and consequentially are very high tension.
The old flats that were standard in the '60's were more like double bass strings and were low tension.Nowdays, because of how most strings are made, flats exert more tension than rounds.
I used to use rotosounds exclusively, now I know better I won't touch them. I now use D'Addario nickel rounds on my '64 4001s (40,55,70,95)and have the Rick standard set on my 4003. When I need to change the 4003(soon) I'll use the D'Addario's cause they're almost a year old and they still have great twang.
I've almost halved the tension that was on the 4001s and have much better adjustment range and can tune down a semitone. When using Roto's this just wasn't possible, a rod adjustment would've been required.

[leftybass]

I haven't tried Elixers yet---are they a higher-tension string than a Rotosound? I know that all Taylor acoustics are factory equipped with these and they do last a good while but I'm curious---anybody tried them??? Are they worth it??

[TerryGibbon]

I'm not too wise to the specifics of bass strings, so can someone outline the reasons for not using Rotosounds?

[Barry_Redmond]

I use to use Rotosound but since using a pick I find them very trebly. I need more bottom. Any suggestion?

[4003SeaGreen]

Barry, I switched from Rotosound rounds to Pyramid flatwounds a few months ago and I'm very satisfied with the sound and tone. It has a great bottom. I highly recommend Pyramids.

[SixtyFour]

Hi all, please read my post: Rickenbacker NOS flatwounds. I hope i can get to Mr Tracy Sands before you do, i'm buying the lot ! What an unbelievable string for bass guitar, (imho) ...................

[Gerard_F]

F.Paul hi, What will you be using them on?
I considered the nos and Pyramid flats but decided to use light guage nickel rounds over all of them.
Although I,m pretty firmly in the Squire/Geddy camp tonewise(Please hold the excommunication in another thread).

Let me know what you think of them. They would've been the original string fitted to my 4001s.

[SixtyFour]

Gerry, please go to the "strings" section of the Forum, "Rickenbacker nos flatwounds", says it all, (imho). btw, instrument used on '73 4001, i'll bet you'll never part with the 4001s. Let me know what you think. tnx.

[Gerard_F]

Yes, they feel softer. I know. They are probably the best string for a '60's bass. What guages are they?
No never. I have loved this bass since the day I first picked it up.
I think you should enjoy those strings.