Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I was just going to post something about flats...
A few months ago I bought Jim Glen's '92 FG 4001V63. Partly as an investment, and partly because I HAD to have those pickups on a "player". (Sorry, but I can't get myself to trash my 4001CS in live situations...) As it turned out, I preferred the feel of my '89 4003S that I've been playing for several years now, so I put the V63 pups on the S. In their place, I installed a scatterwound 7.4 toaster and an earlier, lower output high gain treble pup. Then I put on a set of TI flats, going for the McCartney Wings tone. Mission accomplished! I can now happily jam along to Wings Over America. But - it wasn't until this past Sunday night that I actually used it in a band situation. WOW! What a tone! It's got the short decay/thump associated with flats, but plenty of Ric growl. I really like it. Round wounds will always be my main thing, but the flats are a great alternative to have available. They sound really cool played with a pick. I've also got them on my '73 Guild JSII which can be heard here on the song "Am I Dying Here". http://www.myspace.com/tomheslin

N ice to hear so many great stories about flatwounds. In the shop where I bought them they looked at me if I went lunatic for not wanting roundwounds. These people don't understand rickenbackers anyway. And I keep on finding more Rick players along the way. I just found a promo video of Steppenwolf on youtube.com and the bassplayer is playing a rick! Also for the Sparks, he plays a rick too. Not in the videoclip but for shure on the studio album. Nice to hear from all of you!!!

Hey Robin, you wanna see a really cool list of Rick bassists? Go to your left here to the "Main" site list, click on Artists, then Bassists. You'll be pleased! Then report back.

I had Medium light Chromes on my '97 4003- they are now on my wife's Epiphone EB-0; I liked them a lot but we had a few Rush type songs to record so on went a set of RS-66's.

Chromes are a very good string- actually I got a medium set for my Mexico Fender '59 Precision wannabe I am refinishing right now.

Fran - sounds like an awesome find and very vintage old Fender. You just don't find many like that at all - very very few instruments are kept that origional and still be unused.

Flats on 7 of my 8 rics, Pyramids, TI's and GHS bright flats. Most of them are at least 3 years old. Bright flats have the bite of a round with the sit-in-the-pocket fullness of flats, close your eyes you won't know the difference, they really rock on my 79 4001.

I just put flats on my '79 this week. First time in over 20 years I've had flats on a bass. I'm in the studio this month and I want that sound for just one song.

I have TI flats on one 4001. I like that sound, for some things.

I have Chromes on my 4004Ci. With the HB1s, great tone.

FWIW this is the sound of Chromes 45-100 on a 1980 4001 on first and last tracks. These were played live at recent gigs so the sound has not been messed with. Bass went straight into an Ashdown head and two 2x10 cabs. Strange music, but a good bass sound IMHO.

Forgot to say that both peices are played finger style.

http://www.myspace.com/slipper

Love your tone on '4 chords' Bob.

Although I havn't ventured as far as using flats I have been using TI Superalloy nickels on my Ric and Stingray. I think warm strings on an aggressive sounding basses gives you a subtle effect where you have deep fundamentals with an audible bite when the bass is soloed.

This is my Stingray with nickel TIs on the 'North Pole' live track (not me on the other tracks).

www.myspace.com/robotnikmusic

Bob, what a great sound you have on those tracks and some tasty playing as well I might add ! I think this has given me the encouragement to venture into the world of flats ! Being Bristol based do you know any of the Portishead crew ? Clive Deamer is one of my all time favourite drummers, the guy is a genius. He's been playing with Robert Plant of late.

I hooked up with Adrian Utley about 9 years ago. He's a very creative guitarist. Thanks for the kind words Keith.

Bob... that set my day off right. I'll be listening ALOT and sent you a friend request!

Anyone who thinks Flats only sound dead and muddy should listen to your stuff!

It still sounds just like a Ric...