Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Labella flats 105-85-65-45

2012 4003

Roto 66 45-105. Deader the better, same set on for 7 years.

4001SLH -GHS Precision Flatwounds
4003LH -GHS Precision Flatwounds
4001CSLH -Rotosound Swing Bass

I have the light set of the GHS precision flatwounds on one of my non-Ric basses,a hollowbody Italia. They have a great punchy bark to them. I've never tried them on a Ric,but i bet they would be a great pairing.

woodyng wrote:I have the light set of the GHS precision flatwounds on one of my non-Ric basses,a hollowbody Italia. They have a great punchy bark to them. I've never tried them on a Ric,but i bet they would be a great pairing.

I have them on my bass, the M3050 set, 0.045" through 0.105".

I have the GHS Precision Flats set 3025 light (45 60 75 95) on my 4003s and I love them. They aren't the sound everyone is after with a Ric and that is precisely what I like. I've sat in with several different bands over the years and whenever the other guitarists see a Ric they have a preconcieved notion about the tone. You know bright, growly, clanky, "not good for"...Then I plug in and the tone isfull, smooth, and punchy. They smile and I say...."any questions?"

Flatwound D'Addario Chromes on my cii RBY (per a Forumite's recommendation).

And Roundwound Boomers on my '70 4001 WHT (per my tech).

MaplegloMatt wrote:I have the GHS Precision Flats set 3025 light (45 60 75 95) on my 4003s and I love them. They aren't the sound everyone is after with a Ric and that is precisely what I like. I've sat in with several different bands over the years and whenever the other guitarists see a Ric they have a preconcieved notion about the tone. You know bright, growly, clanky, "not good for"...Then I plug in and the tone isfull, smooth, and punchy. They smile and I say...."any questions?"

Flats on a Ric can sure spin some heads and change opinions. I have LaBella 760 FL's on my FG 4003 and when I play with either a blues or country or even my rock band for that matter I get lots of compliments. I also have a set of D'Addario Black Nylon tape wounds on my fretless Ric and they really have a great non Ric tone. What I need now is one more 4003 so I can put a set of TI's on it!

Flats on a Ric can sure spin some heads and change opinions. I have LaBella 760 FL's on my FG 4003 and when I play with either a blues or country or even my rock band for that matter I get lots of compliments. I also have a set of D'Addario Black Nylon tape wounds on my fretless Ric and they really have a great non Ric tone. What I need now is one more 4003 so I can put a set of TI's on it! [/

Ahhh yes another 4003. Could that be with next years tax return

I have D'Addario ETB92 Nylon Tapewound strings on my 4003. (.50, .65, .85, .105) I like the feel of them, they give it a good mellow, deep tone, and sound like flats. The Nylons are also very easy on the fretboard, and frets. Nylons do last a long time. There are no corrosion issues with them, or metal shavings. I had no problems with any adjustments to the bridge saddles, etc. when I restrung the 4003 either.

Welcome, Glenn!

bassduke49 wrote:Welcome, Glenn!

Hi Paul, Thank you for the Howdy. (Welcome). This Ric site is fantastic. It looks like some good useful information too.

TI JF344 on a '10 4003 JG
(as on all of my basses except one with TI JR344, and my 8-string which has GHS Boomer)

I would never put flatwounds on my 4003.

It's well known that flats have more surface area than rounds. This puts WAY more tension on the neck. More than I would be happy with.
Same for 'old' roundwounds. They will exert more tension on the neck as the strings become stiffer with age.

Something to think about.....

geddeeee wrote:I would never put flatwounds on my 4003.

It's well known that flats have more surface area than rounds. This puts WAY more tension on the neck. More than I would be happy with.
Same for 'old' roundwounds. They will exert more tension on the neck as the strings become stiffer with age.

Something to think about.....

I am not a bass player (at the moment) but there has been a lot of forum discussion about this issue - I do not believe there is a simple correlation between tension and flats/rounds.

[edit]

And voila. . .

A quick forum search result:

chefothefuture wrote: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.