Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi

I have an old rickenbacker 4001 lying around that's been kinda neglected for the last few years because i just didn't know what i had. It's always had roundwound strings on it for as long as i've had it and i only changed them once. It also had the E and A strings wrapped the wrong way around the tuning posts the whole time and i only sorted that earlier this week

anyway, having read a bit more about how the 4001 necks don't really like roundwounds and prefer light tension flatwounds, and since i've been recording a lot more lately i've also realised that i don't like roundwounds on it very much either (too sharp and "clangy" sounding unless i roll back the tone substancially, but then it seems to be missing some much needed punch), so i think it's time to get some flatwounds on it.

I don't really know what to look for since i'm not really a bassist and i just use this for home recording, so i kinda need some recommendations. I want something kind of mccartney-esque, if that makes sense.

I always recommend Thomastik-Infeld JF344 Jazz Flats. You won't find a lower tension string anywhere. Stand by for MANY more options!

fran4001 wrote:I always recommend Thomastik-Infeld JF344 Jazz Flats. You won't find a lower tension string anywhere. Stand by for MANY more options!

You've got that right!

OK, my opinion... I've always used RotoSound RL66D Stainless Roundwounds on my 4001 basses, never had any neck problems. I've got flats on my 4003 fretless, LaBella Deep Talkin' Flats, they're OK, but what I really want is a set of flats that sounds just like Rotos...

You seem to be under the impression flats have less tension than rounds--they don't. That was true several decades ago but not any more. So keep that in mind as the thread goes on... the TIs which have already been suggested are really the only exception to this rule.

I am not a fan of TIs because the A string is really low tension, moreso than the others, and a couple of my basses can't be strung with them anyway because it causes unfixable backbow. However I get why people like them. They certainly have a unique sound and feel. And if you are after low tension, they are almost definitely your best bet.

At Bass Strings Online you can buy them as singles at the same price as a full set if you are set up as a VIP, and I have always wondered if mixing the A and D from the 36'' scale set with the G and E from the 34'' scale set would improve the tensional balance a little, as it wouldn't cost any different. (At BSO.)

cjj wrote:OK, my opinion... I've always used RotoSound RL66D Stainless Roundwounds on my 4001 basses, never had any neck problems. I've got flats on my 4003 fretless, LaBella Deep Talkin' Flats, they're OK, but what I really want is a set of flats that sounds just like Rotos...

Have you tried GHS Pressurewounds? They are a good middle ground.

cassius987 wrote:
At Bass Strings Online you can buy them as singles at the same price as a full set if you are set up as a VIP, and I have always wondered if mixing the A and D from the 36'' scale set with the G and E from the 34'' scale set would improve the tensional balance a little, as it wouldn't cost any different. (At BSO.)

http://www.thomastik-infeld.com/guitars/index.html

Maybe just the A? At that point, every string would be within a 3 pound range of tension.

Using an extra-long scale string on a long scale bass wouldn't affect tension, would it?

It depends on what kind of tone you want:

1) If you want Macca Sgt Pepper tone or thereabouts, use Thomastik-Infeld pure nickel jazz flats. Alternatively, I have not tried them, but Optima strings are supposed to also be recreations of the original Maxima strings, so they fall under this category as well.

2) If you want hollow, more "thud" tone, any of the popular chrome flats will suffice: D'addario, Ernie Ball, etc.

3) If you want subdued growl, the new Fender 9050 formula is steel wrapped, not chrome or nickel. I prefer the "CL" 45-60-80-105 set, because these are the closest to original Rickenbacker gauges, and they are more balanced on my bass. I find this set the most versatile set I have ever played in the almost 40 years I've played electric and bass guitar.

4) Other middle-of-the-road tonewise sets include GHS Precision Flats, DR Legend flats, etc., which are steel wrap, and even LaBella "Deep-Talkin'" flats are stainless steel, so they have a singular tone that folks either love or hate.

And to expand on what Cassius987 said: tension is a product of the entire string construction, including core and wrap materials, gauging, and formation (flat, ground, pressed, round, etc.) ALL ELSE BEING EQUAL, meaning especially if the core is the same gauge and type (hex or round steel) wire, a steel flat will have more tension than a steel round because with the ribbon wrap there is no gap between the windings like there is on a roundwound string.

And ironically, stainless steel rounds, like Rotosound Swingbass for the same overall gauge have a little less tension than equivalent nickel plated steel rounds (like Boomers as a typical example), because of the different density of the metals used. (See the D'addario tension gauge chart)

I have both my 4001 and 4003 strung with D'addario Chromes. Chromes are a little on the bright side as far as flats go I guess but I like them better then any other string and have been using them for 20 years now, I don't find them hollow at all.. I've tried other flats but I just like them the best. Tis are my second choice, they are a nice and bouncy feeling string but they don't have the punch of normal flats.. meaning I use them for recording but not gigging.

fran4001 wrote:I always recommend Thomastik-Infeld JF344 Jazz Flats. You won't find a lower tension string anywhere. Stand by for MANY more options!

Same here....

I even have 'em on my 4003's

Thanks for all the replies so far

I think i wasn't entirely clear with regards to flatwound and roundwound tension. I'm aware that flatwounds aren't necessarily lower or higher tension than roundwounds.

I want low tension because i've read higher tension can be bad for the neck. I want flatwounds because i don't like how this bass sounds with roundwounds.

I've discovered this youtube account called "kocuhu" that has a few playthroughs of beatles tracks with TIs and loads with labellas, i kinda like them both, but i think TIs are closer to the kind of sound i'm going for.

how about pyramid golds? aren't they pretty close to what paul used on his rickenbacker? i've been using some of the pyramid gold guitar sets on a couple of my guitars for a while and i've been pretty happy with the sound and durability of them.

Fuzzy Thoughts wrote:TI's are my second choice, they are a nice and bouncy feeling string but they don't have the punch of normal flats.. meaning I use them for recording but not gigging.

This is exactly my concern for not wanting to spend over $60 USD for TI's to install on my '73 4001 and then possibly find out that I don't like them for gigging.
I've used the lightest set of Chromes (ECB80) on my '75 4001FL without and problems with the neck and the brightness goes away after a couple of weeks of regular playing. I also have a Chromes ECB84 set on my 4004Cii Fireglo. I don't find the Chromes to sound hollow either. I did try one of Jonathan Martinez's Ricks, which I think was his 4001C64 that has a Fender 9050CL set on it. They did sound and feel nice. I didn't have my 4004Cii with to A/B them, but I thought them seemed to have slightly less tension than the ECB84 Chromes set. So I might try Fender 9050s in the lightest set available on my '73.

Joey, I have the 9050CL set on my '73 4001FL (it's had the neck repair) with no issues whatsoever and they sound really nice - rich, full bass, good mids and clarity in the highs.

Plus, the silks look sweet with MG and BT:

Hi,Matt!
Re your question about the Pyramids. I always liked them on a few other basses i had tried them on,but i had a set on my '74 4000,and the higher tension started pulling the bridge up.( they did sound nice ,tho!) So i would recommend against using them,because of that. I am not a big fan of the t.i.'s, even tho i do like lighter gauge sets,the ti's are a bit TOO light.
The fender 9050's are really nice sounding,too. So many folks have recommended the deaddario chromes,if you have the patience to wait for them to deaden,they might be your best bet. (i thought they sounded too clangy,and took them right back off the bass when i tried them.)
Ps have you considered tapewounds?
Best of luck in your search!

I had the same question for my '71. I opted for TI JF344 jazz flats and they're great ,good tone and good feel,they cost a bit more but well worth it.

FretlessOnly wrote:Joey, I have the 9050CL set on my '73 4001FL (it's had the neck repair) with no issues whatsoever and they sound really nice - rich, full bass, good mids and clarity in the highs.

Plus, the silks look sweet with MG and BT.

That's good to know, because it seems the lightest set is the 9050L .045 - .100, I thought they had a .040 to .095 set.
The blue silk wrap on the Chromes looks sweet on my '75 4001FL (first on left) and 4004Cii (second from right).

I've had Pyramid Gold flats on every bass I own (and most of my guitars as well!), and they have the "perfect" tone (for me), seem to be the perfect tension (I'd say a medium-ish tension - about the same as the OE RWs as no truss rod adjustment was required), even for my fairly new 4003.

The initial cost may seem high, but they last far longer (decades instead of months), and will ultimately be the cheapest strings you'll ever buy.

IIRC, there is a tail-lift "fix" too... I cannot attest to any "tail-lift" because I replaced the bridge just prior to installing my Pyramids.

I also liked the TIs. But they felt too loose... I prefer the Pyramids. These two brands are the only nickle flats available. All others are stainless, except the black "plastic" tape-wound...