Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hey all, I PMed Cassius about this, but thought I'd go ahead and post it here. I've got good feedback for the bright punchy sound, now what about the other end of the spectrum. Is there a flatwound that gives a more pronounced warm sound that sticks out above the other brands?

Also, anyone that has ever used those Circle K strings, what length do we use for the Rics? Long, medium, or standard?

Thanks,
Jack

jack1953 wrote:Long, medium, or standard?

Thanks,
Jack

Standard? What do you mean by standard?

Ricks (most of them, anyway) uses long gauge strings.

jps wrote:

jack1953 wrote:Long, medium, or standard?

Thanks,
Jack

Standard? What do you mean by standard?

Ricks (most of them, anyway) uses long gauge strings.

This is from the Circle K website:

Review the Specifications PDF to check and see which/if these strings will work on your instrument.

Long Scale (40/39" ) is appropriate for 40" scale lengths and Knuckle Quake basses.
Medium Scale (37/36") is appropriate for most 36" scale instruments and multi-scale basses/fanned fret basses.
Standard Scale (35/34") is appropriate for most standard and 35" scale instruments.
Take the time to measure your bass and see which sets are appropriate.

So Circle K seems to cater to the extended scale length basses where a "standard" 34" scale (33 1/4" in Rickenbacker's case) is not even a consideration!

You may need to get a measurement from Circle K of the total length of their Standard strings and the area clear of the silk (if any) to see if they will fit.

jps,
what about the flatwound part of the post? any help there?

Circle K strings have no silk wrap. Jack, order their "standard" length strings.

I like these:

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/ ... sku=101646

They sound great and last a long time.

jack1953 wrote:jps,
what about the flatwound part of the post? any help there?

Can't help with the warmth part, the only flats I have used are Chromes and Jazz Flats, both of which have a healthy top end for quite a while before they "settle" in. Tones controls/EQ on either the bass or the amp do far more to provide warmth, IMO.

jps wrote:

jack1953 wrote:jps,
what about the flatwound part of the post? any help there?

Can't help with the warmth part, the only flats I have used are Chromes and Jazz Flats, both of which have a healthy top end for quite a while before they "settle" in. Tones controls/EQ on either the bass or the amp do far more to provide warmth, IMO.

and HOW they are played...

Warmest are probably Fender flats or similar, IMO. But they are HEAVY.

I've got a set of Fenders on my Jazz currently. Medium SS flats 55/70/90/105. They are indeed warm; too warm for my Jazz, so I may move them over to my P-bass. They do fight back!

i found ghs flatwounds to be pretty good, inexpensive,and easily available. they are not at all clangy like chromes can be.....and are available in a variety of gauges/scale lengthes. one thing that confused me for a while,is that i was using what i considered 'standard" gauge (104-45) roundwounds,and when i started trying out flatwound sets ,noticed it really required me to go with a lighter gauge (100-40) to avoid the strings from having too much tension and being too stiff. i think the jazz ti's jeff mentioned can be great,but they do need to be set up correctly,to be playable.

woodyng wrote:i found ghs flatwounds to be pretty good.

AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! Finally someone discovered the GHS Flats! I've had nothing but GHS Jazz Flats on my Ricks from the word go! Sometimes hard to find, but musicians friend has them fo $18.00!!! Before you throw money away on TI's, or Rotos, you owe it to your bass to at least give the GHS JFs a try! + The light guages don't pull on the tailpiece like th TI's or Rotos.

I feel like I have RRF voodoo. Every time I reply to anything on this forum, it screeches to a HALT!

it happens.....(i have ended a lot of posts myself...checking my breath.....nah that's good...)
i first tried the ghs flats by accident-a special set came on the lakland hollow body bass i had for a while,and i really liked them, so i have used them on other basses as well. they are smooth,but more importantly flexible,so its easier to get a mellow tone from them.....