Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Actually I have specifics...but I do have to qualify this with saying I've found after owning a RIC bass for 35 year, keeping close to the RIC specification for bass strings (45-55-75-105) really does help the playability of the basses...

The 1975 4001 has GHS Brite Flats on it...I like it. I have another set at close to RIC specs originally intended for the 4001, but I use the 4001 less than my Laredo and Ibanez...the strings on it now should be good by my standards for a few more years...

The 2004 Laredo has always had RIC spec round wounds, except for the original strings always Rogue bulk strings from Musician's Friend. (Hey, they've always worked for me, until they don't). The set on the Laredo is toast...

So I'm thinking of using the unused Brite Flats on the Laredo, getting more round wounds (maybe GHS Boomers at close to RIC specs, maybe the cheap Rogue bulk strings). I'm playing both Ricks (and the Ibby) more with a pick, so exceedingly bright strings might not be a pressing need (the Ibanez has Fender 9050's on it, and is plenty bright, especially with a pick). But on the other hand, this bass has always played and sounded great with these bulk strings - why mess with a good thing?

Thoughts? Accusations? Threats?

I have TI Jazz Flats on the Snowglo Laredo and also on the Ruby I had, they sounded great, to me; the Jazz Flats still ring out with a good amount of brightness when needed, and sound good with a pick, IMO+E. They are pretty pricy to buy initially, but they last so long they become more cost effective in the long run than other strings. The RIC strings on the 4004L SPC are still sounding good after more than six months of playing on them although they did loose their initial brightness after a couple months. I plan on putting TI Jazz Rounds on it soon, and they are a lighter set but they work for me (I have them on the 4001 and they feel great). Lower tension strings, as these sets are do require a bit of adjustment but after that make most other strings feel like bridge cables, plus the Jazz Rounds have a very smooth feel to them for round wound strings due to their outer wrap wire being smaller in diameter than the usual wire is.

Playability, to me, comes down to a good set up for the strings of choice. Do you do your own setups?

One of the best sounding basses i have for pick playing is a Jazz Bass with A light thuddy set of Chromes (flatwounds),so the bright flats on the Laredo,pick-played,will likely sound just fine.
I've recently put a set of ghs pressurewounds on my Cii fretless,and am liking the sound overall. I hardly ever pay that much attention to the individual gauges,but tend to go for either a 40-100,or 45-100 gauge range. I think the pressurewound set is lighter still.

edski wrote:
Threats?

I'm gonna kick you in the nutz! ha ha ha ha