Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hello.
I have a 1975 Rickenbacker 4001 (burgundy) and the strings I have on are really ****** (DR's). What do you suggest? Flatwounds? Rotosound flatwounds? What's the difference between flatwounds and regular strings when it comes to the sound? Also, I need a pickup-cover. Does anyone know where I can get one of those?

Thanks!

You can use basically any round wound strings (regular) as long as they are not too high tension. a set starting on 40 or 45 is ok.

Flatwounds are smooth to the touch and give a thumpier old fashioned sound. Rotosound flats are massive in tension and will give you big neck problems - so stay away from them. The TI flats are very nice and i hear pyramids are also,

You can get a cover at www.ricpage.com

Welcome Rudi. The type of string really depends on your style of music. I prefer nickle roundwounds ( D'Addario XL-170's), they have a nice bright ringing tone and last a long time. Flatwounds are not as bright, but give you a punchy, distinct tone. When you say pick up cover I'm assuming you are refering to the bridge pickup, "chrome bar" cover. Check out www.the-music-connection.com and click on the parts thumbnail.

I have found DR's to be an excellent string ... also D'Addario ... also Rotosound ...

If your DR's sound bad they must be old or maybe you don't like the roundwound sound ...

I've been using D'Addario XL220's since forever. Even when they start to go dead they still sound good (to me.)

The DR's are not old, that's the problem. The sound like completely new, and that's what I don't like really. I think there were Dean Markley's on it when I bought it, and they sounded good. But I have always wanted to check out flatwound. But I will stay away from those Rotosound flatwounds if they are trouble for my neck. Like to keep my neck!

Welcome Rudi, glad you joined the family here at "Rickenbacker Central". I currently have D'Addario Chromes flatwound strings (40-55-75-95) on my '73 4001. They are low tension with a nice smooth tone and feel to them, but with just the right amount of bite and growl in the treble. I also use TI flats which are similar to my Chromes but the feel isn't quite as smooth. Of course your tastes will vary so the best thing to do is try different sets, a bit pricey but it really is the only way to find what works with your bass and amp setup.

What amps do you use? I have a Walter Woods Super Hi Power amp (650 watts rms) and an Ampeg PB250 going into one of three speaker cabinets: a custom built 1-10 with an EV 10BX driver, a SWR Bass Monitor 12, and a Sunn Sorado 2-15 with Eminence Deltas in it.

If they sound too new ......then let them settle in. I use Rotosound Swing bass which are stainless steel and very harsh sounding. After a 4 hour rehearsal, the sweat gets to them mellowing a brand new set down. After that they usually last me about a month

I can have a set of strings for about a half year. I like them really dirty... What amp I use? I use a 1970-something Fender Bassman 100 with a 2*15" Fender-cabinet. I'd like to check out Ampeg or Hiwatt with 8*10" cab.

Rudi if you like your bass dark and thumpy then yeah use flatwounds

are rotosound flats really that bad. i just recently put some on and love them. they are more midrangy (kind of fendery) than my thomastiks but don't feel as tight as labellas.
are they really going to screw up my neck?

yes if its an old rick, tho the modern ones seem fine with them (you just need to tighten the rods more)

People seem to go on about the evil of Rotosound swing bass but the yare just average roundwounds. The Rotoflats instantly bowed my neck bad when i tried some on my 4001. And that bass usually has swing bass on it and is fine

TI's are actually very bright for a flatwound and great for the necks of old 4001's. I've never tried the Chromes but will when I get back to the states. Pyramids are nice sounding strings but are of a higher tension than TI's. I even have Fender med.light flats on a 78 4001 and the neck handles them well, but that is an exception. they sound great if you like that old thumpy sound which i do, They can make my fingers sound like a pick, because I can crank the treble up all the way, actually a very clear smooth sounding string, but they have massive tension.

Please let me jump in here with a quick question...are pyramid flats ok for the newer necks and truss rod systems? I have a 99 V63 4001 on the way from Chris Clayton,and I asked him to string it w/ new Pyramid flats...will these cause any problems ?... What are good strings for these basses?

Pyramid flats shouldn't cause any problems on your 4001v63. I used them on my 1993 4004 with no problems, they were lower tension than the Boomers that were on the bass when I bought it. But after awhile I just didn't care for their tone on that bass.

YMMV of course. One of the FDP mods uses Pyramid flats on his 4001v63 and loves them.