Pulled the trigger, new 4003 Fireglo - Flat wounds

[mczx]

Cannot believe I just did that! Just ordered a new 4003 Fireglo.

Big McCartney/Beatles fan and cannot afford the exact reissue and I love the look of the 4003 binding.

Planning on going to flat wounds. What gauge and brand will be safe/best and not require a neck adjust?

[T28]

TI Jazz work nicely but they tend to be a bit on the floppy side.
They do last forever and sound great.

[edski]

My suggestion is to stay as close the recommended Ric gauges as possible. Over time I've found that using those specs does help the basses play better.

I had Fender 9050's on my 4001 for a long time and loved the sound, but those were very high tension and not close to recommended gauge for the A and D strings (if I am remembering right). There really aren't that many (any?) stock brands out there that are. I usually buy cheap bulk strings, but might try GHS Brite Flats soon on my 4001 and Laredo. GHS does allow you to custom order strings, and you can get close enough to the Ric specs.

But having just put Brite Flats on my custom bass, I can tell you that the sounds of these "flats" is not what you are after - in fact they don't even really feel much like flats to me.

[rickinroma]

TI JF344

[rickyfricky]

TI JF344

+1. Avec plectrum.

[woodyng]

Optima flats are alledged to be very similar to the old Rick/Maxima flats,which of course,were perfect for Rick basses. The gauges are .045/.060/.080/.100. And Elderly seems to have the best price on them.($35).
I have a set of the old Maximas on my Cii 4004,and they sound fantastic.

[chefothefuture]

The Optima 4099's are much darker than the Maximas. They are also different gages.
That's not to say that they are not great strings; far from it. But they are different.
A modern 4003 should do very well with them.
If you want a brighter string, then go with the TI JF344s.

[nubs]

I just recently picked up a fire glow. I use TI jazz344 on a few of my other basses. I probably will put theses on my 4003 when I swap strings out. I also would like to try a set of balanced circle k's. I like them too. Anyone use circle k's ??

[iiipopes]

HOLD THE BUS -- NEWS FLASH --

Basstringsonline.com has a new store-brand prototype stainless flatwound set that is getting great reviews. They are a little lighter than Chromes, a little heavier than T-I's. Gauges are in traditional RIC territory with 40-55-69-100

Tell Jason you are a member of RR to get a discount.

[coolingitdown]

I use the Optima set on my 4001C64, and it NAILS the Beatles-era McCartney tone, in my opinion. It's much closer to that sound than I ever got with the TI set, which I'm beginning to think I don't really care for. All three of my Ricks have now worn that TI set for different periods of time, and it has yet to stick. To each their own, though.

I use Circle K (now known as Kalium) Strings' balanced .106 set on my 4003, and, while I'll never say "never," I don't see myself using anything else for the foreseeable future. This set of strings on that bass has made me exceedingly happy!