Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

NFB-418 wrote: If you want to try flats on your Ric, then I'd say give the LaBellas a shot. I was amazed at how they retained the sustain, punch and growl. They're kind of expensive, but well worth it.

The Ric stock strings are very good quality, no less than any other major manufacturer. Unfortunately, they feel floppy to me. I need something with a little more tension.

So you're talking about LaBella DTB or DTF? Or are those the same stings?

I always go with the stock RIC strings and the POTR Mangan imitation set on most of my RIC's. Sometimes I still use light Boomers on my 4004L (due to an apparent misprint in the '06 guide suggesting .095 when I bought that particular bass and the neck has since accommodated it naturally), but the previous comments about the RIC-type .105 gauge are correct. It really demands it for the correct overtones and and harmonics.

coolhandjjl wrote:So you're talking about LaBella DTB or DTF? Or are those the same stings?

LaBella makes Deep Talkin' Bass in rounds, metal flats and nylon tapewound flats. Maybe even more, but those are the three I'm using now.

The "standard" flat closest to the RIC gauges (and the correct scale for a 4001/4003) is the 760FS set. This is standard long scale w/ black silks; 45/65/85/105. Just make sure it says 760FS only, no other suffixes or prefixes.

coolhandjjl wrote:So you're talking about LaBella DTB or DTF? Or are those the same stings?

These bad boys:

http://www.juststrings.com/lab-760fl.html

NFB-418 wrote:

coolhandjjl wrote:So you're talking about LaBella DTB or DTF? Or are those the same stings?

These bad boys:

http://www.juststrings.com/lab-760fl.html

If these are the ones with the red silks, then yeah... +1!!!

I've got a set of these on my Yamaha BB1200, and they have a growly, open-toned character that I've been wanting to try on my C64S!

FWIW, the C64S is currently wearing a set of the 760FS (black silks) that don't quite exhibit the same tonal character... they're a little "thumpier" and darker.

The red silks are the DTB rounds.

DTB flats (the black silks of which you speak) were the subject of the last couple of posts. In general, the rounds will sound "more Rick-like" but the "period" tone of C64S would be more like what you get from flats.

FretlessOnly wrote:The red silks are the DTB rounds.

DTB flats (the black silks of which you speak) were the subject of the last couple of posts. In general, the rounds will sound "more Rick-like" but the "period" tone of C64S would be more like what you get from flats.

But, the red silk'd La Bella's that are currently on my BB1200 are flats, so if La Bella's standard is to differentiate rounds from flats by silk color, I guess I got a "non-standard" set! All I know is that they're the "next lighter" gauge than the black silk'd La Bella flats I've got on the C64S.

Well, I haven't tried every gauge, I suppose. I did buy a 760FL set once and I think they had black silks also, so who knows?

I tend to stick with the Ric own-brand. Sonically they are fine and more versatile, I think, than Rotos. Having said that, the As keep letting go on me - I've lost more of those mid-gig than with any other brand, and I'm not a particularly heavy handed player.

cjj wrote:A lot of people swear by Rotosound Swingbass 66 stainless steel roundwounds. I know I like them...

Plenty of folks swear at them too!

I find that they very much suit the Rickenbacker sound, they also really shine on old Gibson eb basses as well....

emac.

bigbajo60 wrote:

NFB-418 wrote:
http://www.juststrings.com/lab-760fl.html

If these are the ones with the red silks, then yeah... +1!!!

You are correct. They have the red silks.

cjj wrote:In general, roundwounds sound brighter than flats. In general, stainless is brighter than nickle.

RIC strings are a nickel round wound, very similar to D'Addario XL (the current batch may have actually been manufactured by D'Addario, but this does not mean they are the same since they are manufactured to RIC specs).

RIC strings are good, not quite as bright and clanky as Rotos, but not a lot different...

I like the stock RIC strings, they're sweeter and more even sounding than Rotos.

When my LaBella flats come, I'll post the color.

coolhandjjl wrote:When my LaBella flats come, I'll post the color.

Just came in, the socks are black.