Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hey guys, you've probably covered this a zillion times on the forum but do you have recommendations for a make/model/gauges of flatwound strings for a 1981 4001FG - to complete the picture, I down-tune to c#,f#,b,e and normally play with a pick. Cheers Clarky

I have D'Addario chromes on this bass,

They sound kinda cool, and feel good,,but I cant imagine Flats on a Rick...,,but then again, I prefer the Chris Squier / Geddy Lee Rick tone.

I suppose for down-tuning, you'd want to go with a heavier gauge.

Lots of forumites use TI Jazz Flats, D'Addario Chromes, Pyramid Golds. I personally like the Chromes.

Fender med light SS flatwounds, they are very high tension (don't let the med light fool you), and sound great, but would probably be just about right for a 4001 tuned down three steps, maybe even the Fender med SS flats. The above mentioned strings are all good strings but might play like spaghetti tuned down that low, especially TI's. Labella flats might work well too, they are high tension at normal tuning.

Thanks guys - re Geddy/Squier, I too like their sound (esp Geddy) but I currently play in a thrash metal band and need more of a Lemmy overdriven type sound - and I read that Lemmy plays with flatwounds, hence my question.

Dean Markley makes a heavy set of flats that have a .50 G string. These might work well if you're tuning down.

PS, I tried a set of Steve Harris Rotosound flats from an old P bass I have kicking around. Even down-tuned they are as taut as banjo wire (which makes me worry for the neck of my old 4001) and as thick as your fingers! No way!

Bob Young is suggesting Fender 9050's...the medium light's are (IIRC) 50-75-85-100, and yes they are very stiff. I've had them on my 4001 and the tone was fantastic. I still have them on my fretless J, and I can easily bring the low string to a C# with no flopping or tonal issues.

Thanks guys - just ordered a set of Fender 9050s

I have the 9050's on my '74 Precision, and they are very good, punchy and defined. Great strings.

I have the 9050's on my '74 Precision, and they are very good, punchy and defined. Great strings.

They can be punchy if you put in some treble in your amp EQ and keep your tone pot open. There is the definite ability to "thud" with these, also.

On the 4001 I found that I could get quite a clank with the bridge PU (it is capped, mind you), but I had a super low end with the neck PU.

I only wish I had the nads to adjust the truss on the 4001 - the tension did induce a fairly high action from some neck bow. But it might eventually be better for the 4001 to use TI flats...someday I'll get to that.

One thing I remember about using the 4001 with those 9050's was as the strings got older the amplified tone just started to ROAR. Playing un-amplified it sounded like the strings were way past their useful life, but once it was going through the rig it was a great sound.

Yeah they do sound good, I think it's partially from the tension. I would adjust my neck if I were you Ed, you don't want it to set like that, they will after a long time and will be much harder to adjust and get back to straight. I've had them on a 4001 with no problems also, but that bass has a very strong neck, some do, some don't. Just make sure you offset the strings's tension pulling the neck forward before you turn the TR's. If the block starts to tip you may have problems, that is what allows the TR's to raise and pop the neck at the nut. If the block stays straight you should be all right.

I would use the steve harris signture jazz flats by rotosound they have very thick gauges, perfect for detuning

Another +1 for the Fender 9050's. Just put them on my Thunderbird - talk about punch! The strings are very comfortable on the fingers as well.

Mike, I tried the Steve Harris set but couldn't get on with them - they are so thick they are virtually like ropes and extremely taut, even when downtuned. I got on much better with the Fender 9050s