Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've been threatening my Jetglo 4004Cii (pickups closer to the bridge) and V63 with flatwound strings for a long time, but still haven't done it yet!

You can still get lots of crunch with flatwounds strings. It just depends on your gear, how you set your gear and your playing technique. You'll just miss the zingy of a fresh set of roundwounds, then again you might not.

rickenbrother wrote:You can still get lots of crunch with flatwounds strings. It just depends on your gear, how you set your gear and your playing technique. You'll just miss the zingy of a fresh set of roundwounds, then again you might not.

The fine line for me is finding something fairly versatile that changes a lot with technique. I think heavy gauge ProSteels do that very well--plucked gently they sound almost like flats, but with aggression their roundwound character is exposed. I aim for that kind of a balance.

cassius987 wrote:

sloop_john_b wrote:I get compliments from people on my bass tone all the time at gigs and I have to believe it comes from the fact that my bass actually sounds like a bass, not a detuned guitar.

I want to see you and Anthony Jackson duke it out over this one... Personally I agree with you, there's something very nice about "just" sounding like a fairly traditional electric bass.

Why do I always like being the guy that goes in the opposite direction of everyone else. My bass just cuts. Not too "Blarpy" not to "Woody" just very smooth

cassius987 wrote:

sloop_john_b wrote:Anthony is a monster player, no doubt about it - but I do feel like he has a bit of guitar-envy when he solos.

I think he says himself that he's not "really" a bassist in some ways. He cites listening to LPs at half speed as his inspiration for wanting to sound *exactly* like a guitar tuned down an octave.

Which merely serves to further the absurd stereotype that the bass is just a four-string guitar tuned an octave lower and that any guitarist can play one properly. When I talk about bass, I never use the word guitar in conjunction with it. I consider a bassoon to be closer to a guitar than any bass is.

ever watch a guitarist play a bass? I mean not someone who can adeptly play both. I mean a straight up guitarist, that very rarely ever plays bass. Its a scary sight to behold. Usually when I'm at a local gig watching a band play and the guitarist takes to bass my first thought is "well this is going to suck." Followed by "How awkwardly gawky that bloke looks"

I have decided to pull the trigger on a set of GHS precision flatwounds, med gauge. Is there anything I need to be aware of setup wise in terms of tension? I currently run D'Addario roundwounds of the same gauge. Thanks again for your input.

Decided to go with a set of medium D'Addario Chromes. Wow, talk about punch. These things kick like a mule! I wish I'd have tried these a lot sooner. Maybe my ears just had some growing up to do. Definitely had to adjust my eq on the amp. I'm also going to have to widen the slot on the nut, the D string just won't fit. Other than that these strings are amazing.

Glad you're happy with the choice you've made and are diggin' the Chromes! I love them on my 4001FL. Might give them a go on one of my Cii basses.

Love 'em on my 4001V63.

I was never really a big fan of the chromes, but I'm glad you're enjoying them. If you want to give your fingers and the neck of your bass a workout try Rotosound flats. Your bass will hate you

I have Rotosound TruBass black nylon flats on mine. Best feeling and lightest flats I've ever used, even the big 135 I use on my B string is "light" feeling.

I like the Chromes a lot, but I'm really digging the Rotos currently.

Back in the early '70s I used Rotosound flats on my 4001. Today I'm using Tomastic-Infields flats on my v63. Much better sound.

Gale

I have three Ricks strung with TI Jazz Flats , an 06-4004cii an, 82 4001, and an 09 4004 fl. I also have an 09 4003 and 06 4001c64 both strung with rounds......If you are going to try flats, my recommendation is to go with the TI's. They get better over time too!

FretlessOnly wrote:

cassius987 wrote:

sloop_john_b wrote:Anthony is a monster player, no doubt about it - but I do feel like he has a bit of guitar-envy when he solos.

I think he says himself that he's not "really" a bassist in some ways. He cites listening to LPs at half speed as his inspiration for wanting to sound *exactly* like a guitar tuned down an octave.

Which merely serves to further the absurd stereotype that the bass is just a four-string guitar tuned an octave lower and that any guitarist can play one properly. When I talk about bass, I never use the word guitar in conjunction with it. I consider a bassoon to be closer to a guitar than any bass is.

Aaaa, but round wounds produce a truer note and more sustain which can mix into the guitars' sound to push and propel it, so, I'd say it depends on the sound texture of the band or recording.

One difference between a true bassist and a guitarist/bassist is that the true bassist plays primarily with his index and little finger whereas a guitarist primarily plays with his index and 3rd finger.

I've now spent some time with the Chromes, I am very happy with them. Played out a few times with them and definitely had to tweak the eq on my amp a bit. I also have noticed a significant increase in volume from these strings, or maybe it's just punchier. Either way I had to turn down a couple times in the first jam with them. I know now that I definitely like flats on my 4003, better than rounds? hmmm, maybe but I do like rounds as well. Maybe with all the money I'm saving from having to buy fresh roundwounds I'll get me another Ric, perhaps a white mid 70's 4001...