Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I was wondering if anyone knew what type of strings Paul McCartney preferred on his 4001S.
I have heard many different opinions, and I read somewhere that he used Rotosound flatwounds. If anyone has a clue, I would like to know.

He uses/used flat wounds for sure. I read where someone asked him this question and he is supposed to have said "long thin silvery things" or something to that effect. Rotosound's are a possibility but I don't know. BTW He would be a true bass God IMO if he had used roundwounds and not JUST the greatest songwriter of his era. Don't get me wrong, He is a great bass player I just think his sound is missing that something. I would have LOVED to heard all his stuff with roundwound's on that bass!Rick's+roundwounds+tubes=best!

When I worked on his bass in the mid 1970's he did NOT have rotosound strings of any kind on it .They were flats but not rickenbacker or roto's

I have no idea what they were.I do remember what was done to the bass and the only thing that has been changed from that time period is the zero fret that was reinstalled.This was in a pouch in the case and was put on /taken off depending on his mood.Under the nameplate there are the added 3 holes so he can move the nameplate back and forth depending on nut situation .

I find this humorous.I just love quirky musician mojo stuff and this fall right into that category.

Mark: Do you remember the date in which you worked on Paul's bass? Mid 70's encompasses a number of years and I am trying to narrow down the time in which the zerofret was added.

well it was just before the 'Wings Over America tour",it was hot and we were all dressed in shorts and T-shirts...I do remember that .

Mark: Although McCartney's zerofret modification is ingenious, wouldn't the continued removal and replacement of the zerofret cause wear that might be expected to result in a loose or unstable fret?

Not at all
The piece that is attatched to the end of the fretboard is probably some kind of rosewood or paduak that the grain does not follow the grain of the fretboard.Meaning it is at a right angle to the original fretboard.
The fret is glued to this piece and the whole thing glued to the end of the neck.
The string pressure holds it on .It's a very simple thing.
There are three extra holes that must be drilled for the nameplate ,but it could be reversed if you wanted to return to the original setup.

Hey another idea for a new Paul McCartney Limited Edition: complete with zerofret feature!

what exactly IS a zerofret, and how is it used?

Scootch: A zerofret is a fret before the first fret of a guitar or bass and hence is directly next to the nut. As it is before the first fret it is known as the "zerofret." Its purpose is to give a fretted tone to an open string. McCartney was used to the zerofret on his Hofner Bass and so it is believed that this was the reason he had the zerofret modification made to his Rickenbacker 4001S. The luthier who made the modification and when the work was done are not public knowledge as far as I am aware. These are questions that I hope to answer using this Beatles' Forum.

Mark,
I would think it was summer of 74 does that sound right??? did he come to the factory during a tour or ship it to you??
did the bass have a Red Rose Speedway black/red/blue in color, sticker on it where your picking arm would lay, at that time???
FATRAT

I think McCartney used Fender chrome style Flatwounds, because of the color of the thread on the ends...
just a guess...
FATRAT
(the know it all)

Fatrat,
To answer your question:
According to my contacts at Rotosound,Sir Paul used Rotosound/James How RS88 Black Nylon Strings, during the early days.

He then switched to RS77 Jazz Bass Monel Steel Flatwounds around the time of Pepper & used them through Abbey Road, switching back to the Black Nylons on occasion.

Later he used a James How (the Maker of Rotosound) Flatwound which had a bluish teal silk wrap. He may have used Fend**'s on occasion (why?).

I am told he uses Rotosound Swing Bass strings now on all his basses. The Hofner is strung with Nickel, his Wal, Rick & Music Man strung w/Stainless steel.

What type of Music Man bass does Paul play? I hadn't heard of that bass before. Do you have photo's of it?

Brian,
I am not familliar with the Music Man models. What I do know: it is a lefty five string, single pick-up, four knobs (which may mean active electronics mid-range boost?), rosewood fingerboard, it appears to have a redish colour.

It matches the bass that Hamish Stuart, used on the "Flowers in the Dirt" tour. Sorry I can't be of more help.
Regards,
Ed