Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Funny that. I was just going to troll around looking for the threads on flatwounds, as they are last bit I have to get together for the 4003FL that Paul W is putting together for me. From reading here, it looks like the TI's will be a good starting point, so I've just ordered a set

only use flats on my ricks

+1 on the TI's. Haven't used flats on a Rick since I sent my old 4001 back to the factory in the 70's and they sent it back with flatwounds and a warning that rounds would void my warranty. As great as they sound with rounds, flats just brings out the beef.

Just to update the 'project' that the initial soundclip at the bottom of page 1 was posted from; the mix is a bit more complete now, and I've created a thread over on the Recordings forum:

viewtopic.php?f=48&t=404559

Seems as though the flats help the bass sit in this particular song's mix in just the right way. My .02, anyways.

I really enjoyed that, Al. Great job!

Although I find the TI Jazz flats to be a bit low tension for my tastes, I would recommend them over the old RIck flats. I've tried two sets and the E string is very muffled. Not sure if the shelf life did something or if they were intended to be this way, but the E significantly lacked timbre - it was all lows unlike the other three strings. It isn't a pickup problem or anyhthing like that; the E sounded as if it were wrapped in a towel.

FretlessOnly wrote:Although I find the TI Jazz flats to be a bit low tension for my tastes, I would recommend them over the old RIck flats. I've tried two sets and the E string is very muffled. Not sure if the shelf life did something or if they were intended to be this way, but the E significantly lacked timbre - it was all lows unlike the other three strings. It isn't a pickup problem or anyhthing like that; the E sounded as if it were wrapped in a towel.

The old Maxima sets were always sort of uneven. Not near as bad as the early D'Addario half rounds....
I would imagine that after nearly 30 years (or even 20) any NOS string will suffer depending on where and how it was stored.

Yeah, that makes sense. I wonder why everyone refers to these as "Maxima." The boxes are clearly labelled as Rickenbacker Electro, with the word Maxima nowhere to be found. I'm assuming that Maxima made the strings (although the boxes are printed "Electro String Inst. Corp.), but it seems odd that everyone would refer to them as something other than what's on the box.

Maxima did indeed make strings for RIC. RIC just branded them.

coolingitdown wrote:Maxima did indeed make strings for RIC. RIC just branded them.

Just to be clear, Maxima (which really shares little with the modern company other than name) was only one supplier. V.C Squier supplied certain sets and Rogers, also from Germany, made some of the others.

johnhall wrote:

coolingitdown wrote:Maxima did indeed make strings for RIC. RIC just branded them.

Just to be clear, Maxima (which really shares little with the modern company other than name) was only one supplier. V.C Squier supplied certain sets and Rogers, also from Germany, made some of the others.

Eep! Now I am really befuddled! LOL!
Well then, did one company make the bass strings and another the 12s, and so on?
The flats, bass and guitar, all seem pretty similar, other than some 12 string sets I had had both orange and purple silk wraps.....
The bass sets were always purple (at least during the 10 odd years I was able to get them....).

i've only experienced using the old maxima/ric/etc...strings twice,and had not noticed a problem with deadness on either e string set,but since they have pretty much become an endangered species anyway,the point of comparison is probably moot for most . I have used the higher tension pyramid flats on a few basses over the years,and have had some dud e strings with them. I found the ghs flat wounds to be not half bad,and they are available in a 40-100 gauge that should not put too much pressure on the neck. (and they're cheap)
i still would like to check out the DR hi-beam flat wounds some day,as i really like dr strings in general.

I've found the Labella's to be the best mix of tension, smooth feel, and sound. TI flats are also very nice of course (and pricey), and are a great choice for low tension on older finicky necks.

Here's maybe a stupid question as someone that has used both flats and rounds.

Which one as a general rule puts more tension on the neck, flats or round wounds ?

PJRL wrote:Which one as a general rule puts more tension on the neck, flats or round wounds ?

It all depends on the construction of the particular set of strings, there are rounds with higher tension than flats and visa versa.