Rickenbacker Flatwounds

[MaplegloMatt]

Now that I have your attention...... I know alot of us would love to see another flatwound bass string from RIC. So, on this topic, I was wondering if anyone knows what the guages were on the old (Maxima, I think) flats that Rickenbacker sold? I like to put together a set that is a close match.

[rickenbrother]

I don't remember the string gauges off hand, but if you're looking to do that to match the tension, that won't work. They were low tension due to their overall construction. You might be able to find the gauges in a search. But if you want that feel of the old RIC flats, get a set of Thomastik-Infeld JF-344 strings. They are the closest you'll find to the RIC flats unless you're lucky enough to find some new old stock of the RIC flats somewhere.

[coolingitdown]

+1.

Regarding flats, to quote John Hall from a thread about closeout strings:

"No flats for the moment, but the balanced strings are hex core and are especially accurate with regard to equal tension across all strings. Quite frankly, this set is being offered more for non-Rickenbacker basses and is an entry into the "mainstream" string market.

Part of this program is aimed towards our distributors and very large volume retailers, to make them much more commonly available. Shortly you'll much greater presence for our strings in both Asia and the U.K. Hopefully continental Europe will get on board soon as well."

Usually JH doesn't beat around the bush if he has no intention of developing and selling a product. He will usually just flat out say that it won't happen. The fact that he says "No flats for the moment" makes me think that we'll see a set of RIC-branded flats in the next several years.

That said, there is no way to know if a new set of flats will be like the old Maxima set or not. Time will tell.

[johnhall]

As you said, I don't usually beat around the bush. Let me say, therefore, perhaps more clearly, we are not considering any flat wound strings at the moment; we're not discussing this with anyone nor do we have any samples. There literally are no plans to introduce any but that doesn't mean we wouldn't in the future should both the market and suppliers offer an opportunity. For the moment, the Thomastik Infelds are the closest to the original Maximas in feel and sound.

[MaplegloMatt]

Thanks for the input guys, especially Mr. Hall for a straight forward answer (as usual). Put me on the list of those eagerly awaiting a RIC flatwound.
In the meantime, I'll try some TI flats. I'm currently using some GHS Precision flats....I think it was the purple silks that got me thinking about the old Rickenbacker strings!

[coolingitdown]

Put me on the list of those eagerly awaiting a RIC flatwound.

In the meantime, I'll try some TI flats.

+1 on both counts!

I would LOVE to try a set of RIC flatwounds if they ever come back.

In the meantime, yes, TI flats will give you a wonderful vintage sound. Just be warned, though, that the tension is very inconsistent, so the feel isn't very good. The tone, IMHO, is well worth the less-than-satisfactory feel!

[coolhandjjl]

Reviving an old thread....

Regarding TI Flats, from what I've read, people are either in the luv 'em or hate 'em camp. I was a big advocate of the Fender 9050CLs, but always felt like I was missing something out of my 4003 s with its RIHS and Toaster. What I was missing was that RIC Tone!

Put a set of TI Flats on my 4003s yesterday. Once I got them tuned in, action and relief set, they settled right in and I just didn't experience any of the 'spaghetti-like' feel that is often reported of these strings.

I once read that these strings are 'expressive' sounding. I found that to be true. They really bring out the unique tonal characteristics of the Ric construction and pickups.

Maybe it's because I'm 51, been through enough twelve step and therapy programs, and am simply comfortable with a somewhat lighter tension string that reveals more subtle harmonic character. I still have DR LoRider steels on my other Ric for grindy growly stuff, as I'm not dead yet.

The Fender 9050CLs they replaced are staying in the drawer. (for now )

[stts64]

Anyone tried LaBella flats? I am using them on my 82 4001 and they give me that characteristic Ric twang and they really feel pretty good at least to me.

[mikko]

I'm currently using LaBella 760FL set. I like them almost as much as I like Rotosound 77 which are my favorite strings on a Rick.

[VRICKY63]

Anyone tried LaBella flats? I am using them on my 82 4001 and they give me that characteristic Ric twang and they really feel pretty good at least to me.

Yes. The labella's are excellent.

[johnallg]

Anyone tried LaBella flats? I am using them on my 82 4001 and they give me that characteristic Ric twang and they really feel pretty good at least to me.

The lefty C64 I picked up for Peter in England had LaBella flats on it and they sounded wonderful on that bass. The sound and feel was really, really close to the NOS Rick/Maxima flats I have. Not sure which set of LaBella strings they were though.

[beatlefan]

I've tried all of the strings mentioned here and IMHO , the TI Jazz flats are the bee's knees ... I even keep a couple of sets handy .... just sayin'

[woodyng]

it must be down to the bass being used,and the set-up, i have had mixed results with ti's myself,but i did play a c64 with them at the BARC,and really liked the way it felt,sounded, and played. having my own 4000 readily at hand for comparison,i didn't think the ti's really felt anywhere near as substantial as my FW vintage maxima's. i think the ti's could be fantastic if they were available in a slightly heavier gauge.

[chefothefuture]

I'm still a fan of D'Addario Chromes....(45-100). They are a little stiffer than the old Maximas, but they have a good ring.

[bigbajo60]

http://snd.sc/svHFYy

A little sample of something I'm working on with my LaBella flats-loaded 4001C64S. I like these strings a lot!