Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

It's a 77. What variety are the best, and which gauges? Will the bass need a new nut? I know zip-o-la about Thomastik Infelds and flatwound strings in general. Any help would be appreciated! I know there's been thread after thread about strings both here and on the RIC forum, but I'll be damned if I can sort it all out. This is much easier. Thanks!

I have them on my short-scale Guild bass and my 4003. While I liked the sound of the Pyramids (which I had on my ex-4001), I prefer the playability of the TI Jazz flats. They sound good too.

Try these

What kind of strings do you use now? The TIs are very low tension, which is a good thing, but realize that you might need to tweak your setup (intonation, truss rods, etc.).

Flatwounds are cool - I've got them on about half my basses now - but very different from roundwounds. Depends on what kind of sound you want/like/expect.

I find that I have to raise the action on my basses with extra-low tension strings like the TIs to prevent buzzing, but since the tension is so low they still feel great.

To speak to the title, is that a promise or a threat? {:^)

Robert, you can test drive the set I have on my "Mink" bass when you come over on the 23rd.

Charly- It's both; don't try to stop me!!

Anyway, yeah, I realize that the bass will need tweaking, so I'd have it set up anew for this. But I think it's a worthwhile experiment. I just put a new set of Rick strings on it, which is all I've ever had on it. But, I can get that bright-as-can-be 4001 sound well enough out of my new 4003. That has so much brightness, it'll give a piano a run for its money. I want a different sound out of my 4001. I like the flatwound sound, and I love the way they feel. I also like the playability of a lower-tension string; I don't need it to go TWAAAANG every time I pluck a string. I want that deeper, warmer tone. Brightness is great and all, but I have that covered. I really think it's high time I did this bass right and put a good set of TI flats on it. I guess that's the best I can really describe what's going on in my head.

Paul- that sounds good!

Robert, the Jazz Flats are JF 344. gauge size is 43,56,70,100. I use these on my Fender P and Jazz and they blow any rounds that I have tried on these basses into the weeds.

On my 4000 I use Ernie ball slinkies, they are rounds but I need a good twang from time to to and these work fine for me.

I have T I Flats on my 4001, C64 and my 07 4003, and my P-bass, I think personally they are the best flatwound string period, alot of people saying that they are the closest thing to the Maxima red box strings that Rickenbacker used to use.