Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

sys700 wrote:Month is March '71.

KC 073??

Lovely bass.

Don't forget those light gauge strings, 40=95, if you really want the best possible action, and to help that neck long term...

Why yes Brian!

Welcome Rod and a really nice old FG.

Joey's videos are on the RRF file server. The files are jvXX.wmv where XX is 1 - 12 IIRC.

http://files.rickresource.com

Thanks John. I'll check them out.

For strings I use Thomastik Infeld JF344s on three of my 71s
as well as a 68. Very low tension flat wound that will be easier on
your frets and fingerboard finish.

The TI Rounds are very nice on these old necks too. That's what I had on my ex '69.

The strings on this bass are old Rotosound rounds with "Piano String Design", at least circa 80's, maybe even earlier. The guy I bought it from said he never changed the strings, and he bought it in 1981. They feel different than modern Swingbass strings and aren't wound all the way to the ball end - the core actually goes over the bridge saddles. Compared to my '73, the output is not as loud so hopefully it's just the strings and not the pickups.

Unfortunately the output on this era bridge pup is quite low due to the smaller magnet. I have put some very thin magnets along either side the base magnet on mine and it's up and stronger than my 74 now, but with all those great early features.

Are these magnets available online? Don't get me wrong, it sounds great, just noticeably not as loud as my '73. I can live with the lower output. I'm thinking of putting flatwounds on this one for variety. Any recommendations? TI Flats? I'm cautious about using Pyramids after having to get my 12-string neck reset and refinished.

TI JF344s all the way. You'll love 'em, your bass will thank you.
No way on the Pyramids...

As for out put-
Your neck pup likely has the short or flush poles and of course your treble pup would have the cap.
The flush pole toasters that I have just seem slightly anemic but they balance with a capped treble pup.
Removing the cap from the treble pup will get you more bottom end and volume, but you will loose the "vintage tone".
I never liked the capped tone any way, but it is a matter of personal taste.
An easy way to get the un-capped tone with out removing the cap is to solder a jumper wire around the cap on the cap's bare leads.

Or- get a bigger amp!

Yes, I already checked the pole length and they're short or flush. Everything sounds balanced between the bridge and neck pickup, just a lower overall volume. I'd prefer not to bypass the cap, so I'll just turn my amp up louder!

Lovely bass, Rod.

Looks like it's got a second life, and it's in great hands!

chefothefuture wrote:TI JF344s all the way. You'll love 'em, your bass will thank you.
No way on the Pyramids...

Absolutely. Or, the D'Addario's as I mentioned previous. It's amazing what a lighter gauge string can do for these basses, especially when they have had years of being overly stressed with old, heavy strings.

If i remember correctly,those exposed core strings were called "superwounds",and had what was called a "linea" finish. They were very smooth for roundwounds,and sounded and played great. I used them on a couple of basses,details escape me. I do not remember the gauge,however,but if they have been on the bass that long without causing any problem,you must either have one of the "good" necks,or the string set may be less heavy than the standard Roto's everyone used back then. (or both!)
Congrats on getting a very cool bass!