Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Jeff: How many flatwounds versus roundwounds at the Confluence?

Also, is there no common ground here?

In the guitar world there are compressed rounds and semi-flats which can sometimes allow the player to have a reasonable compromise between traditional flat and round sounds.

"RW's are for guitar player wanna-be's"
Bob,Bob,Bob...I was a guitar player before becoming a bass player and I prefer the sound of roundwounds to flat. Maybe it's my guitarist ear that plays in favour, who knows... But I still think that the choice is personnal and goes with the kind of music you play.
The sound of flatwounds is despicable... !!!

okay, how 'bout half wounds?

I use Rounds most of the time. My Hofner copy had flats on it... they got the sound right but they did sound dead. IMHO rounds sound more alive. They may die within a week or so but that is better than being dead to begin with.

It is really a shame to see a cool forum come to this ... petty bickering about which is better flats or rounds ...

you guys will never convince that flats sound good ... so if you guys want to relive the 60's and play with flatwound strings then be my guest ... hey why not really relive the 60's ... back then there was no internet ... so turn off your computer and go watch Dobie Gillis on TV ...

Cheers Jeff!

who's bickering? this looked like a pretty decent discussion.

Jeff: When it comes to music, there are bound to be many differences. The types of strings is only the beginning.

The topic of the thread is, however, not acceptable and hence the new name and edits.

Perhaps you were right when you reminded us in your profile of the music business.

"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long
plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die
like dogs. There's also a negative side."

I am sorry that I did not get to this post sooner to change the thread title.

It seems to me that there are assets and liabilities to both types of strings. For those who want both, there is the option of buying a second Rickenbacker.

I routinely switch brands and types of strings. Does anyone else? The raw biting edge of rounds is cool and the mellow tones of flats is too. also you can dress up and dress down both types of strings with tonal adjustments.

So here is the challenge, why not have a few sound bytes and see if we can determine what type of string is being used.

I use quite a variety of strings.

My 78 P has flats – my 80 Guild fretless acoustic has phosphorous bronze – my Rob Allen fretted 4 string uses those LaBella black wrapped strings. All my Ricks have RW’s. My 5 string is tuned EADGC and I’m considering making one of my Cii’s ADGC. Nothing like variety I’d say!

No doubt BOTH types of strings have their place...my fretless will ALWAYS have flats on it. Used to have RW's and it sounds 100% better with flats.

That led to using flats on the 4001. And I liked it. A lot. The bass booms with them on. But I put them on thinking the 9050 ML's were BETTER for my mid 70's neck (that's already had work done long time ago)...since I've come here I'v thought that maybe a different string is more appropriate...

So I am actually thinking of trying some light guage RW's on the 4001 again...and maybe going to flats on the Laredo. Maybe. Maybe just go down to 9050 L's...they aren't that much different in guage from the (I think) stock Rick guage - although that hasn't been resolved yet IMO.

Anyway, it just goes to show that string preferences run the whole spectrum, and loyalties can be intense.

I just put a new set of Pyramid Flats on my 4003, and was wondering if the E string takes a little time to loosen up a little, or if it's supposed to have a tight somewhat muted sound.
Fretted, it doesn't sustain like the other strings. This is my first experience with flats.

Jack: Some folks have noted this and it was my first experience with Pyramids as well. I found that it improved over time, but I also needed to do some work on my nut slot which made a difference as well.

I found this with Pyramids as well - the E string initially doesn't have the sustain of the others and needs a bit of time to open up.
As far as the rounds/flat debate goes, it's all about personal preference. What sounds good to one person may not sound good to another. But you know what - it's subjective, so there is no right or wrong. I use both types of strings, and enjoy the relative sound qualities of each. It's all good. I'd prefer to see discussions about why you like the sound of certain string whether they be round or flat.

Peter - what did you need to do with your nut? Did you have to file it out a bit to get the strings to sit better?

Yes I did Steve.