Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

jps wrote:

rickenbrother wrote:

jps wrote: Which set of Chromes are you referencing to? I use the Super Soft set and replace the .060 D string with a .055 and get a very nice low tension set that way.

I don't think the .055 gauge Chromes string is available right now. The only single Chromes available now are .032 and .132.

Yeah, that is why I am preferring TI JFs now.

Send me one of you 4001's with TI's installed to gig with. If I like them, THEN I'll spent $64+ on a set!

Matt4001 wrote:

coolingitdown wrote:That said, you probably want to go with the TIs. The Optima set, i've heard, is also fairly low tension and sounds really rich, mellow, and Macca-like.

Happy hunting!

yep, i think i'm gonna go with TIs - since bass is only a secondary instrument to me that i use for recording sometimes, and the bass is going to be spending long lengths of time in its case while i'm away studying and working, it's probably better to have lighter strings even if they do end up being a little loose for my liking - it's not really being used as a workhorse, so if it's putting less strain on the neck and stopping the tailpiece lifting anymore, that's probably the most sensible option.

having said that, maybe i should try optimas, since they are cheaper - i assume it's this 45-100 gauge set? this is the only set i can find in stock anywhere at the moment http://www.thomann.de/gb/optima_4099_flatwound.htm

indecision

Optima 4099 set discussed here:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=401190


And sold here (though they are out of stock at the moment):
http://elderly.com/accessories/items/OP4099-4.htm

They are gauged .045, .060, .080, .100.

rickenbrother wrote:Send me one of you 4001's with TI's installed to gig with. If I like them, THEN I'll spent $64+ on a set!

At the moment, both of my 4001s have TI Jazz Rounds on them, wonderful strings in their own right, only the Ruby Laredo has Jazz Flats on it. Surely there must be someone in the LA area with a Rick that has JFs on it. If not, when you and Diane come visit us here, you can try the 4004, and we'll take you to Little Italy.

coolingitdown wrote:Optima 4099 set discussed here:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=401190


And sold here (though they are out of stock at the moment):
http://elderly.com/accessories/items/OP4099-4.htm

They are gauged .045, .060, .080, .100.

thanks - looks like the link i posted is the same set with different packaging.

jps wrote:Surely there must be someone in the LA area with a Rick that has JFs on it.

I'm thinking about putting them back on my 4001C64, for what it's worth.

And don't call me Shirley.

jps wrote:

rickenbrother wrote:Send me one of you 4001's with TI's installed to gig with. If I like them, THEN I'll spent $64+ on a set!

At the moment, both of my 4001s have TI Jazz Rounds on them, wonderful strings in their own right, only the Ruby Laredo has Jazz Flats on it. Surely there must be someone in the LA area with a Rick that has JFs on it. If not, when you and Diane come visit us here, you can try the 4004, and we'll take you to Little Italy.

Yeah but I wanted one that had the talented echoes of Jeff Scott. Someday we'll take you up on going to Little Italy!

.

I've discovered this youtube account called "kocuhu" that has a few playthroughs of beatles tracks with TIs and loads with labellas, i kinda like them both, but i think TIs are closer to the kind of sound i'm going for.

Thanks for the tip Matt!
I've checked out a few of his videos, they're great!
I have a set of TI JF344s here ready to go on my 4001 for the first time. I'm with you, the TIs sound better to me too ..... I'm glad I bought them already!

Greg

LaBella 760FL-loaded C64S soundclip posted on a previous flats-discussion thread:
viewtopic.php?p=728952#p728952

I've since loaded some Rotosound 77 flats onto the bass, and am currently loving the firmer feel and brighter tone of those strings! Plus, to my ears, the E is much more tonally balanced to the A, D & G than on the LaBella set.

bigbajo60 wrote:LaBella 760FL-loaded C64S soundclip posted on a previous flats-discussion thread:
viewtopic.php?p=728952#p728952

I've since loaded some Rotosound 77 flats onto the bass, and am currently loving the firmer feel and brighter tone of those strings! Plus, to my ears, the E is much more tonally balanced to the A, D & G than on the LaBella set.

that sounds great - if i get into playing bass a bit more i might try some labellas. they are a bit pricey over here though - more expensive than TIs.

i've decided to get some optimas first to see if i even actually like low tension flats since i've never tried any before, because they are just a lot cheaper - if i can find some cheaper long scale tapewounds i might try them too. i have a set of d'addario tapewounds lying around that i ordered a while back after i'd tried some on an old shaftesbury bass that was in a studio somewhere, but i accidentally ordered medium scale so they were too short my 4001 - i decided to hold on to them just in case i get a hofner or something in future.

bigbajo60 wrote:I've since loaded some Rotosound 77 flats onto the bass, and am currently loving the firmer feel and brighter tone of those strings! Plus, to my ears, the E is much more tonally balanced to the A, D & G than on the LaBella set.

What gauges of Rotos?

I do think the LaBellas suffer from too many outer wraps on the E string making it sound duller than most. Especially once you get into their heavy gauges. Seems like Pyramids were similar when I tried them--output was fine, but harmonics were absent from the low E.

cassius987 wrote:

bigbajo60 wrote:I've since loaded some Rotosound 77 flats onto the bass, and am currently loving the firmer feel and brighter tone of those strings! Plus, to my ears, the E is much more tonally balanced to the A, D & G than on the LaBella set.

What gauges of Rotos?

I do think the LaBellas suffer from too many outer wraps on the E string making it sound duller than most. Especially once you get into their heavy gauges. Seems like Pyramids were similar when I tried them--output was fine, but harmonics were absent from the low E.

I loaded up a set of the 77LD's (45-65-85-105).
The only things I'm on the lookout for are a bit of truss rod tweaking and potential tail lift!

A bit of a thread 'resurrection' here... only 'cause I realized that I never posted a recorded example of the Rotos!
We've had some rehearsals going on for a new cover band project, and I took the opportunity to isolate some snippets featuring different a few of the different tonalities I get from the Rotosounds. First tune is played fingerstyle on the neck pickup with the tones rolled all the way off. Second tune is played pickstyle on both pickups with the tones rolled off. Third tune is also played pickstyle with the tones wide open.

Oh... and these are the same set of Rotos I loaded on the bass back in 2012! Haven't needed to change 'em out!

https://soundcloud.com/bigbajoman/rotosound-flats-test