Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

After 30 years of playing Ricks and literally trying 50 or more sets of strings in all guages, textures, prices, recommendations, etc. I would like to announce that for the FLATWOUND DESIRED RICK SOUND, (McCartney style sound and feel) D'Addario Chrome Flats 105-50 produce the best sound tone and feel for the money. I have tried Pyramids, love them, and every other half-round, brite flat, and flat set on the market.
Put a set of these on any 70's 4001 and you can GET THE SOUND.
This is my (latest)conclusion and opinion after spending THOUSANDS on strings over the years. IMHO, give em' a try!

Ed-- Though the Pyramid Gold flatwounds are my favorite, the D'Addario Chrome flatwounds are a great choice. As mentioned in another post, they are very high quality and long lasting.

Yes, we know. I've been using D'Addario Chromes for years. Thanks for the revelation.

Ronn-- Always glad to help out in any way I can.

I used them back in the early 80's. Neat sound, forgot about them, thanks for reminding us.

I tried to like Chromes but the top end is just too twangy for my tastes.

Has anyone tried the Rotosound flats? I did MANY years ago but have forgotten what they were like. The Bass Emporium has started carrying them and I'm tempted to try 'em.

I was just going to post a question about Roto flats on a Ric. I have them on my Jazz and love the tone, but they are very high tension and I was curious as to how that would effect the Ric.

Robert - I put a set of Roto Jazz flats on my 4003. Didnt like them so stuck them on my P bass where they play/sound great. I just dont think the do much for the sound of a Rick. They are also very low output strings.

The TI strings are great , and.......if they sorted out the massive tension - Fender flats.

I tried a set of Rotosound Jazz 77 flats on my 3001 and while I liked the tone and feel, they were just too high tension for the instrument. I took them off after two days. If anyone would like to purchase them, I'll ship them to ya for $15.00 total.

There are sereral ways to get the McCartney sound ...

Just use a regular set of round wound strings and don't change them for a long time ... sorta let them lose their brightness ...

Or hand/palm mute and play with a pick ...

Or use flatwound strings ...

Or just eq the sound in ... cut the highs and boost mids ...

I've used Rotosound Monel Flats on both my 4003 and 4003S and the tone was very close. It sounded more authentic on my S bass due to the vintage neck pickup I put in it. It was more of a Wings sound than a Beatles sound though. If you listen to Wings Over America, or had the chance to see Rockshow (which is virtually the same concert) you'd know what I mean. I think Ed Dupont was actually there. Weren't you?

I've had good luck with the TI Jazz flats

I had old roundwound strings (Dean Markly Blue Steels) on an early 80's 4001, used a pick and palm muted the strings and got the exact sound Mac got in that little tiny solo in "Everybodys Got Something To Hide, except for Me and My Monkee"
It was the muting and pick not the strings, RW's are counter to Macs sound, I think. I was also running stereo into an SVT head with the treble pickup predominant. (with an SVT head you can give the capped treble pickup back it's balls with the tone controls, or possibly it's bypassed when you run stereo, this was before I knew about the cap)
It is much easier with flats though. He used flats and the internal mute, and in almost every photo I've seen of him with the horseshoe still in he has the treble PU on alone and he gets that nice fat tone. IMHO his bass sounded much better with the horseshoe than the high gain, but then again he had George Martin as a producer.

I agree with Gene, the TI Jazz flats are very good.