Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

OK, I know there have been a million threads on favorite strings, which always ends up with about the same number of opinions. But it seems most of those discussions never really separate the flat vs. round wound varieties. Well, I've been using Rotosound rounds for years, I like the sound, etc. and just haven't bothered to try a lot of others (though I'm liking the Rick strings that came on my 4004Cii).

Anyway, I'm thinking that, since I've got 3 Rick basses, a 4001, a 4003, and a 4004, I really ought to string one of them with flats just to get a different sound. Right now, the '76 4001 has Roto's as does the '84 4003. These two are close enough in sound that it's pretty pointless to have both strung with Roto's. So, I'm leaning towards putting flat wounds on the 4001, partly because it's probably got a weaker neck (it has a repaired split from someone in the past adjusting the truss rods wrong). I'm not sure why I should worry though, it's had Roto's on it for years with no issues. I've really never used flats, so I have no clue as to what I'm getting into.

So, what do people like in flat wound strings? I'm wanting to stay towards the bright side, not totally thumpy/muddy. I've heard a few comments that some flats have even higher tension than rounds, so I definitely don't want that, the Roto's still worry me on that bass so I wouldn't want anything higher tension that those.

Chromes are bright for a while (eventually they do mellow out), but are pretty high tension strings in my experience.

I had GHS flats on my v68 bass for a couple of years, but now that bass is having serious neck problems (which apparently is due to their super high tension), so I can't really recommend them, although they were probably the best sounding strings I ever used.

My favorites are now TI Jazz Flats. Very low tension (which i didn't like at first but have grown to like), but thumpy, so probably not what you're looking for either.

sloop_john_b wrote: My favorites are now TI Jazz Flats. But thumpy, so probably not what you're looking for either.

+1

I've only tried two brands of flats: Webstrings (immediately hated them for the high tension, although I love their rounds), and the TI Jazz flats. Absolutely love them for their feel and how they sound on my acoustic bass.

For a '76 4001, I think you might want to go with the TI's even though they are kinda loose and thumpy.

Jeff Scott buys singles and makes a custom set of D'Addario Chromes (or at least he used to) for a brighter tone without the full tension of the off-the-shelf set.

Modern flats can actually be higher tension than modern rounds, so if you're worried about the 4001 and it's handling the rotos fine, you may want to play around with the 4003 instead.

I have a set of Sadowsky flats (don't remember which kind, but they have gray silk ends) on my '64 jazz, and they are really great. Not floppy, feel great, and sound nice and clear in a way that not all flats sound. They're also not as expensive as TIs or (I think) Chromes although they can be a bit tricky to track down. That reminds me, I really should order another set or two of those ...

I don't play bass, but maybe you should look into LaBella or Roto flats?

TI makes great strings for guitar, and according to our friends here, apparently for bass, too!

The best flats for me are of two varieties:

A very specific gauge of D'Addario Chromes, which record REALLY REALLY well-- http://www.juststrings.com/dad-ecb84.html

And TI Jazz Flats, but IMO they don't record nearly as well. They sound like an authentic upright bass though. http://www.juststrings.com/toi-jf344.html

The RSD of tension on each of these is less than 10%! Very even feel.

cjj wrote:...(though I'm liking the Rick strings that came on my 4004Cii).

Hmmm... I thought it was a 4004cjj?

4003s and I would assume 4004s handle Chromes fine (higher tension). TI Jazzes are supposed to be close to the old RIC flats (Maxima) and I love my set.

LaBella strings are really higher tension strings.

I too like the Webstrings rounds, especially the stainless.

John B - send me the V68 and I will fix the soft wood issue since the bass sits.

johnallg wrote: John B - send me the V68 and I will fix the soft wood issue since the bass sits.

Thanks a million John, but she's been with Chris Clayton since the end of March. Got my first update recently - one of the truss rods finally gave up the ghost.

JakeK wrote:I don't play bass, but maybe you should look into LaBella or Roto flats?

I like LaBellas, but they are super high tension.

john-are you using a "standard" (45-105) gauge for the flats? i had that problem(hi tension) with a variety of flat sets,then i tried ghs strings in a 40-100 gauge on my hodad bass,switching from 45-105 roundwound dr's and didn't even have to adjust the bridge or neck. plus the lower gauge feels and plays really nice....

TI Jazz flats for me...

The 45-105 Chromes are definitely high tension - anyone using the 40-100s? The tension differential is huge.

I use Chromes on my Jerry Jones U2 bass and TIs on my Mosrite (both are short scale, so the tension issues are a little different). The TIs are very smooth and '60s sounding, whilst the Chromes go from twangy (particularly when played with a pick) to rather mellow (fingerstyle plucked close to the neck).