Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi,

On one of my basses I want a low B flatwound with a sound like the TI jazz flats or even better like the original Rickenbacker flats.
I now tried the TI jazz flats and am disappointed. The B string has a completely different character than the E string.
Optima Rickenbackers are not for sale in 5 string version. But I did recieve an answer form Optima to take a 4 string set and buy this one with it: https://optima-strings.com/shop/de/elek ... -scale.125 . I have not tried this though.

Any other suggestions for ploinky flatwounds with a low B?

How about these? I found them to be of great quality and may fit the bill for you.

LaBella also makes the LTF-5A which are close to the same gauges as the TI Jazz Round 5-string set (lighter than the flats). I haven't actually tried them but was interested in them because the B string is a lower gauge than the one in the TI Jazz Flat set. Best of luck!

Guys, you're all overlooking the obvious: Optima makes a single 128 B string that coordinates with their RB 4440L set. It's not advertised on the web site, but it is mentioned in web pages on their other flatwound sets. Here's the email I received when I asked about it out of curiosity some time ago:

OPTIMA - Strings Made in Germany <[email protected]>

Fri, Feb 21, 8:39 AM

Dear Scott,

You can add the CBF125.L single string to the RB set, you you will have a poerfect set for a 5-string bass.
I've just checked and the receipt is nearly the same as the original RB 125 strings from the past.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen / Sincerely

André Schneider
Vice President

I don't think the OP overlooked this option. He simply hadn't tried it yet:

berth wrote:.. I did recieve an answer form Optima to take a 4 string set and buy this one with it: https://optima-strings.com/shop/de/elek ... -scale.125 . I have not tried this though.

Any other suggestions for ploinky flatwounds with a low B?