Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I finally picked up a set of flats for my 4004LK....D'Addario Chromes. One of my main reasons for trying them was to limit wear and tear on the frets since I play it quite often and I'd like to keep it from a refret if at all possible. I had some concern that the tone would be lacking since I like the "bright new roundwound" tone.

My first impressions left me disappointed. The strings sounded fairly bright with the exception of the "E" string.....it sounded flat and weak compared to the others. Unplugged it sounded and felt fine but amped it just sounded weak. The tone was good but the string to string balance in tone was off.

I took it to my House of Blues gig last night and used my other 4004's for about half the 2 hour set then for the heck of it grabbed the LK without much hope I'd play it for more than a song or two. Geez, was I wrong....it had, by far, the best, strongest tone in the mix. I'd describe it as Steve Harris on a Ric....not in style/talent but as far as tone goes. Plenty of bite to the tone with more fundamental and less overtones. Just clear driving bass that filled the backround nicely in my three piece hack band.

After the gig I tinkered for a few seconds solo and still found the tone on the "E" string weak in comparison to the others. Maybe the other strings have more overtones that get lost in the mix? Maybe they'll break-in some and even out so they sound balanced solo. I have no idea but in the mix they are perfect and I think I'll swap the rest of my 4004's over as they reach their position in my "new string" rotation. Excellent!

The bottom line is how they sound in the mix! If you really think the E string is "off", contact D'Addario and they will send you a replacement.

Now you see why I use Chromes.

With how it sounded in the mix I see no point in messing with it right now. I'll take it to my gig tonight and see how it goes. Plus, I think if it was a dead string it would sound different unplugged or at least feel different. A little EQ tweaking should sort it out anyway or maybe the set just needs to break in. I'll try some different brands and coated versions when I swap to the others and see what suits me best.

Hehe...when I was playing my 4001 with flats I'd think "these strings are gonzo" playing without an amp. The moment I was on stage through an amp - WOW! !!!!

As far as "lively" flats or not, out of the bag they usually have more clang than most non-converts would think. The Fenders that I have the most experience with are bright and ringy for a couple of weeks (days if you play pro I guess) the settle in for a looooong life of good tone. And as I said, even after the unamplified tone starts to **** out this type of string has great amped presence for a long time more.

I have a set of Fender 9050 ML's I put on my 4001 for a short time before I decided the neck on that guitar deserved something lower tension. I think I might try them on my Laredo...strings are old on the 4004, and I want to experiment. I think that the 4001 is headed for TI flats - it really isn't the same bass with rounds on it. And I've tried rounds for a year on the Laredo...I have a set of flats with very low mileage cut for a Rick, and one more set of bulk RW's I got from Musician's Friend. I think it's time for some experimentation on the Laredo!

In my experience, you can't go wrong with TI flats (JF344)

I have them on my '74 Precision, '51 Precision reissue and my homebuilt Precision fretless, and those are very comfortable strings that are bright and sound great.

Brian I was a RW man through & through for over 30 years. I switched to Chromes about six months ago and have not looked back. FWIW I use the 45,65,80,100 sets.

flats are too clicky sounding for me ...

Frets are like Kleenex, use 'em up and get new ones.

Bob... Same set on my '77 4001 and my Geddy Jazz. I might never use another brand of string.

E strings are many times a little less trebly than the rest of the strings, I have come to see this as normal.
You guys should try Pyramid Golds, they have a much more complex tone than the Chromes and the tone does not change like regular strings, they just don't go dead, even after several years the ones I have are still lively sounding. They do lose their treble but it is such a gradual change you don't notice it.

I'm going to say something unpopular - Rotosound flats work really well for me - they just sound right for live work.

Sorry guys,,Roundwounds exclusivly for me.

If a string even thinks about going dead I'll change them.

However, Im thinking of turning my Carvin B4 into a fretless. I may try some TI's then.

I have chromes on my FL, but only out of respect for the board.

You really have to put rounds on Rics...

Brian, try Pyramids next. I have Chromes on my c64 right now and they're pretty good, but IMO nothing compared to the Pyramids. Worth every penny.

I started out on flats in 1965 simply because they were the only thing available. hen I got my first Rick in 1972, I immediately went to Rotos because they were the Squire sound. Although I didn't continue to play the Rick, I kept playing Rotos until I "retired" in 1983. When I got back into playing in 2000, I immediately went to Rotos -- and hated them. For the next five years I tried every roundwound string available plus a few half-rounds and finally settled on Lakland (GHS) nickel rounds. After I read so many rave reviews of TI Flats, I tried a set on my Lakland 55-94 and I absolutely love them. I have no doubt that if you're looking for the McCartney Sgt. Pepper era bass sound out of a Rick, the TIs will do it. They are absolutely smooth, no fret or finger noise, even tone in all registers, from low B to high E and very rich -- bright for flats, but no clank. I'm sold on them and might convert all my basses to TIs. However, If I were looking for the '70s Deep Purple, Yes sound, I'd use Rotos on a Rick and nothing else.