Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I recently added two more Rickenbackers to the family:

A '77 4001 AutumnGlo, and an '85 4003 MG BT.

Currently all of my other basses have roundwound strings, so I'm thinking of stringing one of these with flats.

Any thoughts on which of the two, and what kind of flatwounds. I've read lots of good things about thomastiks.

The TI's are great, I mostly use Ernie Ball Group II's now though.

labella flats are the way to go

I would put flats on the '77 4001 for sure. I use several brands of flats, but the ones I like best are LaBella Deep Talkin' Bass, D'Addario Chromes and Fender 9050s. If you can afford it and you get a bit lucky, the old Rickenbacker Electros (red box, purple silks on ball end only) are great, but you'll have to pay if you can find them. A whole slew sold here not too long ago and that may be the last big batch of those. I put them on my '73 FL and it's really a spectacular match.

Ti Jazz Flats do sound pretty good, but I play hard and they feel like overcooked spaghetti to me.

You may also want to consider a nylon tapewound set; there is a LaBella DTB set (760N, I believe) and RotoSound makes a Trubass 88 set (the only rotos I like).

I have a set of D'Addario Chromes (.045|.065|.080|.100) on one of my Rics and really like them. The .080 string, however, doesn't seat all the way into the nut. I'm too chicken to file it so live with a slightly higher action on the 'A' string.

Roto Sound 77 are nice, too. I had a set of those on my Fender Jazz, and other non-Ric basses. I believe they are higher tension strings, compared to the Chromes.

Flats do sound very nice on a Ric!

sloop_john_b wrote:The TI's are great, I mostly use Ernie Ball Group II's now though.

On all your basses?

Yeah Joey! I have the Group II's on my Stingray and on my parts Precision which are the two basses I'm playing now and I am very happy with them. Pretty similar to Chromes except not quite as zingy out of the box IMO (though someone once told me they are EXACTLY the same strings, they are at least silk-wrapped in different places so who knows). My Jazz is wearing GHS flats that are as old as dirt, but they thump so hard that I'm afraid to change them! My 4003 has Chromes, though it is still a case queen due to the neck issues as of now.

Does the tension of the EB Group II strings seem similar to the Chromes?

I love the new Fender 9050(C)Ls, both my favorite tone and feel and also quite inexpensive. All flats have subtle things going on that make them a bit unique... more so than rounds to my ears. What appeals to you may not appeal to everyone else. I like LaBella DTFs as far as tone but don't like the feel. I like Chromes for the most part. I'm not a big fan of TIs or Pyramids or GHS Precision Flats. But these are all strings that have a following and that has to be for a good reason.

cassius987 wrote:I like Chromes for the most part. I'm not a big fan of TIs or Pyramids

So far I have really liked Chromes a lot once they are broken in. TI's are too loose for me. Another forumite has Pyramids on on a 4003FL that I had tried. I didn't like the sound.

TI flats on my '75 4001,....no desire to try another.

I use GHS Stainless Steel Precision LIGHT on all 3 of my basses. I've used them for years. The sound great to me, and they don't pull on the bridge either. If there's one thing that scares me, it BRIDGE LIFT. I tried TI's and didn't like how floppy they were. I also can't see paying $80 (TI) for a set of strings (IMO). IMO If you've never tried flats before, go cheap to see if you like the feel before spending alot of money on "upper-class" strings.

congerz83 wrote:I also can't see paying $80 (TI) for a set of strings (IMO).

Don't buy an upright!

TIs are expensive, but they last forever. If they feel and sound good to someone, then they're a worthwhile investment.

FretlessOnly wrote:

congerz83 wrote:I also can't see paying $80 (TI) for a set of strings (IMO).

Don't buy an upright!

TIs are expensive, but they last forever. If they feel and sound good to someone, then they're a worthwhile investment.

John is right. Just because I don't care for the TI's dosen't mean they're not right for others. Furthermore, the more I think about it, some have us have paid well over $2000 (average?) for these basses. $80 does not seem that far fetched. When it comes down to it, you buy what fits your budget, feels the best, sounds the best and fits your needs.

I've tried TIs (JF344), LaBellas (760FL) and D'Addario Chromes (ECB84). I liked the Chromes the best. I can't wait to try the Fender 9050CLs Cassius referred to. I don't think they've been released yet but, when I can get them at JustStrings.com, I'm all over it.