Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

johnhall wrote:I have also asked staff to prepare a list of suitable strings, although this is going to be somewhat difficult and time consuming, as many makers do not publish the tension specification.

That's above and beyond - thanks Mr. Hall!

Thanks for the info, Mr. Hall.

An approved list of strings would be great. Very thoughtful.

Again, I just want to be sure that I don't mess up my instrument and also don't mess up my warranty conditions.

For the record I was only told that ANY flatwounds voids the warranty. And to stick to same guage rounds to keep the warranty.
No info about why. I emailed back for more info but got no answer.

I'm not trying to get anyone into trouble, just don't want the folks here to think I was lying about what I was told.

See screenshot of email below:

Will a 201lb. Tension flats set be ok?

By the way. Im loving my 4003.

johnhall wrote:This is compounded by the fact that the model year of the RIC instrument makes a difference, as they've only gotten more tolerant in the recent years, but anything we publish has to apply to all instruments.

If you know what model year / tension is acceptable, why not tell the consumer?

and if the warranties are for limited time (5 years in all cases?), is this really an issue?

Are there older instruments that carry a longer warranty (and would still be covered today, given the proper choice of string)?

Many thanks to Mr Hall for the clarification, which makes eminent sense!

Many apologies for any misunderstanding on my part along the way.

wilmingtonian wrote:

johnhall wrote:This is compounded by the fact that the model year of the RIC instrument makes a difference, as they've only gotten more tolerant in the recent years, but anything we publish has to apply to all instruments.

If you know what model year / tension is acceptable, why not tell the consumer?

and if the warranties are for limited time (5 years in all cases?), is this really an issue?

Are there older instruments that carry a longer warranty (and would still be covered today, given the proper choice of string)?

Probably because even within one batch of wood there can be variances, and there may be no useful bright line they could relay to the public with certainty.

The warranty has been 5 years as long as I can remember.

Since the tension of a set of D'Addario EXL170's is about 160lb's, I'm guessing that's the baseline for accepted string tension on 4003's.

I've used Roto 77s and Pyramid flats, both are known to be of the higher tension variety. Never a problem with my 1993 4003S or my 2009 4003.

Those Pyramids are crazy stiff compared to other flats. Is your neck adjusted flat, and has the neck pitched forward at all where the body wings attach?

Thanks for the feedback.
The set I am interested in using are the LaBella 760FL flats. They are on the lighter side of the flats they make.
Labella says they are at 201 lbs. total set tension.
Would be on my 2016 4003.
Not sure if I should do it. I don't know the tension limit of the bass.

lumgimfong wrote:Thanks for the feedback.
The set I am interested in using are the LaBella 760FL flats. They are on the lighter side of the flats they make.
Labella says they are at 201 lbs. total set tension.
Would be on my 2016 4003.
Not sure if I should do it. I don't know the tension limit of the bass.

As Dane said, the baseline tension is roughly 160Lbs, so I would imagine 201Lbs would not be a wise choice.
What is it about the LaBella's that you like?
Other than the LTFF sets, I've found the 760s to be too stiff.
However- the LTFF's like the Thomastik JF334's are a little light feeling.
The Optima 4099 and RB4440 sets have a heavier feel, but are low tension. Dark sounding.
D'Addario Chromes also come to mind, but they are a little bright and clanky to my ear.

I love the sound and feel of the LaBellas. Quiet flats. No finger squeltch sounds like rounds have.
But if someone here knows of a 160lb. non-floppy flat set I could try them.

One forumite posted that he put the 760FL on a few of his 4003 and all was well.

lumgimfong wrote:I love the sound and feel of the LaBellas. Quiet flats. No finger squeltch sounds like rounds have.
But if someone here knows of a 160lb. non-floppy flat set I could try them.

One forumite posted that he put the 760FL on a few of his 4003 and all was well.

Well, it is then your risk alone. Try it and see, but if something goes wrong, you understand you will have voided you warranty.
If all goes well, enjoy

Agree. I've used a LaBella 760FS set for while on my '93 4001V63 MG, which is built like a tank. Knowing the LaBella set might be too heavy for it, I gave it a try, but I've closely monitored (measured) if no positive neckangle would develop, and it did... although it sounded fabulous (big LaBella-'fan-boy'). So, from that point I've switched to the Optima RB4440 flats as also John advised above. In my opinion currently the best flats available for a Ric.

I've tried pretty much all of these string sets over the years on various Ricks. I liked the Labella ltf set,but found them a bit subdued sounding on my fretless Cii. I just swapped them out for the Optima RB set. It may not quite be the 2nd coming of Maxima,but they are brighter and fuller sounding than the LTF set. (Which were quite a bit thumpier,a characteristic that will probably be great on a fretted bass). Both sets are pretty perfect for Rickbasses.