Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Well, I have a 4003 (at least i WILL), and I would like to know what tapewounds would fit on it so I can have a sound like a 4001... I guess strings are the only difference between a 4001 and 4003 tough... I have Fender 9120s, but those aren't smooth enough... I know RIC sell 4003fl with tapewounds, but the don't sell the strings seperately.

any suggestions?

the 4003 has pickups wound to around 11k ohms ... the 4001 has pickups wound to 6k to 8k ohms depending on what year it is ... also the 4001 comes from the factory with a .0047 bass cut capaciter ... the 4001 has a weaker neck and putting on round wound strings on it stresses it beyond its design specs ...

But most 4001 owners put on roundwound strings and the 4001 was ok ... and a lot of 4001 owners also take out the bass cut capaciter ...

so the main difference between the 4001 and 4003 is the 4001 had weaker pickups and a weaker neck ...

as per strings some here love flatwound strings ... I respect that ... but I think that flatwound strings are sound suckers ... I use roundwounds on all of my basses ...

a 4003 and a 4001 sound similar ... the 4003 is louder and fuller sounding ... the 4003 has more growl ... it mas more mid punch ... to get a 4003 to sound like a 4001 just get a good modern amp and turn up the treble a little ...

Yeah, I tought about it, and I knew that 4003 were designed for roundwounds with better pickups...
But i was just afraid to use flatwounds or roundwounds because I wanted to keep this extra-muted sound... almost like an upright, but with more punch you know...
Still, I'll see if I can have the same result with the amp or with a POD (line6)...

I agree with Jeff . The 4003 sounds like a jazz bass on steroids !Loud Killer growl . I also agree on the flat wound string issue . They suck the life out of the bass as well as the bassist lol . Ricks were ment to have roundwounds on them i dont care what anybody says lol

I agree with Jeff on both issues . The 4003 sounds like a jazz bass on steroids ! Loud killer mid growl . Also Ricks were ment to be strung up with roundwounds . Flat wounds suck the life out of the bass

I second that emotion !! LOL

Never buy roundwounds.
Never lease roundwounds.
Never borrow roundwounds from a friend.

Back to the original question: I've never used tapewounds on a Rick, but they are almost always larger in diameter than typical rounds or flats. So you'll almost surely have to enlarge the nut slots on a standard 4003 unless you're buying a used one that's already had the slots enlarged.

LaBellas (760N) and Rotos (RS88) are smooth. I use the LaBellas on my Gibson.

"sound suckers"!

Welcome to the family Karl!

Some of here are suckers for the sound of flatwounds! I have used rounds for most of my bass playing decades, but in the past couple of years have seen the light. I can get a nice growly tone from the D'Addarrio Chromes I use but without the finger noise and wear on my frets, especially important for the two vintage basses I regularly use,a '67 4005WB and a '73 4001. As much as I like the zingy brightness of roundwounds, I have learned that without that extra brightness I can sit much better in the sonic mix of my band.

I have tried tapewound strings, but not on my Ricks, only my Zon fretless. I was not too impressed with the very high tension of them, personally, but they did sound good, except for the low B string, it was too warbly sounding.

Which tapewounds did you use, Jeff? The LaBellas are very low tension. They're probably higher tension than the extra light Chromes you use but they're noticeably lower tension than, say, a typical 045-105 roundwound set.

The 5 string Labellas. Perhaps the thickness of them gave the impression of being high tension, as they are quite thick with the nylon wrap on them.

hmmm interesting...
but I try to stay aware of what Dave said... If I have to switch to tapewounds, I dont wanna enlarge my nut slots (in case I wanna go back and follow Jwr's advice)...
But you say Labellas right... are those 760fm or fl... plus, what'the difference?

760N sounds about right but it has been a few years since I last used them.

I used the RS88 black nylon tape wound strings on my 4003 and the sound was pretty cool. The only issue I had was with tuning. Low E to A was so "woofy" where it was hard to actually get in tune.

I found regular flatwounds gave me the sound I want.

Pyramids will be put on bass soon.

I know some love roundwounds, and they can sound great, they too of course can be "sound suckers". After all I don't want my bass to sound like a piano, I want it to sound like a bass! But whatever, to each his own. I love Squire and Geddy, but I really love McCartney's tone, so flats are the way to go!

HEY! Thanks for the tip John! I'll check it out...
I used flats on my violin hollowbody, and the sound was quite like I wanted, but these bass have no mute, so sometimes, it was a bit weird... plus, I was quite limited in what I wanted tu play (All my loving was OK, but it was impossible to play songs that need more fast playing )...