My tone is my strings?

[arsie]

I am sure a lot of you guys that regularly contribute to the Strings section of TB have probably realized this, but it is definitely something that just struck on me.

I recently bought a Rickenbacker 4003 in the MF MID sale. My usual strings are D'Addario Chromes, and because I want to try roundwounds on the 4003 for that Ric tone, I kept the strings that it was shipped in.

Fast forward three four days of setups and playing with the bass while unable to find a tone that I love, I took off the Ric strings and put on an old set of Chromes. I immediately had that "I am home" feeling from listening to the bass, and I was noodling more fluidly than I ever was on the stock strings.

This is not intended as another I-have-sworn-off-roundwounds or I-love-Chromes thread. I am convinced that everyone has their own "I am home" strings.

My question now is, are there any roundwounds that has that thump of the Chromes? Yes, it is less thump than other flatwounds but there is quite a leap of thump between the stock Ric strings and the Chromes.

Is it something about those Ric strings (no coloured ball-ends)? Is it the new roundwounds thing? I really want to have a serious opportunity to play the Ric with roundwounds, which roundwoulds should I try?

It kind of freaks me out that my tone is defined by a set of strings. I can find the ballpark of my tone on any bass I put the Chromes on. My main bass is an EBMM SR4, which I feel is in every way, shape and form the opposite of a Ric 4003. Yet I play the same stuff as equally comfortably and on either bass.

String choice > Bass choice?

[darkstorm]

Tone is not defined by the strings. The body and necks woods, construction, and pups and electonics are the biggest contributers to tone. Including how you setup the pups for best to you tone. Strings are the final little tweak to the tone thats all. Imo

[Epitaph04]

Yep so stop buying TI and Labella strings guys! All you need are the cheapest no name strings and you're set!

[Solarmist]

D'Addario half-rounds maybe.

[Kael]

Originally Posted by darkstorm

Tone is not defined by the strings. The body and necks woods, construction, and pups and electonics are the biggest contributers to tone. Including how you setup the pups for best to you tone. Strings are the final little tweak to the tone thats all. Imo

When comparing rounds to rounds and flats to flats perhaps. When it comes to rounds vs flats you could not be more incorrect. You could try to be more incorrect, but you would fail.

[bassist4dalord]

Anyone who says that strings have a minimal effect on the tone of a bass is, in my opinion, and with all respect, shoutin' a load of hooey. The tone of my P changed DRASTICALLY when going from D'Addario Chromes to DR SS Lo-Riders.

[Etchbass]

If you look at tone like a pedal chain, it goes like this FINGERS>Strings>Pickups>Amp... there is some other stuff in there too, but those are the main ones you need to think about when looking for good tone.

[darkstorm]

Originally Posted by Kael

When comparing rounds to rounds and flats to flats perhaps. When it comes to rounds vs flats you could not be more incorrect. You could try to be more incorrect, but you would fail.

I'll agree with that. But too many peeps seem to think that all they need to do to get the tone they are after is use whatever bass and just get the wonder strings that will make a fender jazz pup bass sound like a Wal or whatever dramatically diff voiced bass whose tone they want. Obviously useing rotosoiund swing66 as an example or labella flats on a wal is going to give much diff voice then using them on a fender jazz.

[svenbass]

A few thoughts.

1. As you know flats and rounds are pretty different beasts .. try hanging on for a while and see if you begin to jive with them. It's less an issue of the brand of string when comparing flats to rounds. Kind of like a sports car to a motorcycle.

2. If you dig the chromes on the Ric why not stay with them?

3. Rotosounds RS 66's are a classic roundwound pairing with the Ric. YMMV

4.Ultimately, you'll have to experiment until you're happy ...

good luck!!

[UnfortunateTony]

Well I understand the basic premise of your post. And I agree that everyone really does have that certain set of strings that makes them feel right when they're playing.

[iiipopes]

Go the other way: the new Fender flats 9050CL set, 45-60-80-105 has gauges very similar to RIC stock strings, has tension comparable to the chromes, is incredibly balanced and consistent both across the fretboard and up the neck, and has some of the growl of a roundwound. I've played them on a couple of 4003's, and they are absolutely great. I think you'll feel "just as home" on these strings as on chromes, and get more of the growl that Rick basses are known for.

[AlmightyPancake]

Originally Posted by darkstorm

Tone is not defined by the strings. The body and necks woods, construction, and pups and electonics are the biggest contributers to tone. Including how you setup the pups for best to you tone. Strings are the final little tweak to the tone thats all. Imo

I couldn't disagree more.

The body and neck woods are probably the LEAST significant. Not to start a "woods don't matter" argument, because they do... to a certain extent.

The single biggest contributing factor to tone is your playing.
The second is easily strings. They affect your tone, from how hot your signal is to how much sustain they have. Keep in mind that the strings are the MOST direct connection between you and the electronic wave that travels through your wire. Long before resonant frequencies from the wood would have an effect on the "tone," the initial attack would have mellowed out.

Think of it this way: assuming two high-quality sadowsky basses are used on a track in a band mix, are you more likely to notice (without prompting) whether one of them has a birdseye maple freboard and another has ebony, or whether one of them is using brand new elixirs and the other is using long-dead rotosounds?

[Nev375]

Comparing the tone of rounds vs. flats is kinda like comparing the performance specs of an F-150 to a Corvette.

They aren't meant for the same kind of driving/playing.

[AlmightyPancake]

Originally Posted by Nev375

Comparing the tone of rounds vs. flats is kinda like comparing the performance specs of an F-150 to a Corvette.

They aren't meant for the same kind of driving/playing.

I'm not comparing rounds to flats. Dead rounds to live rounds make a massive difference.

[Nev375]

Originally Posted by AlmightyPancake

I'm not comparing rounds to flats. Dead rounds to live rounds make a massive difference.

I agree with that. A new Corvette performs way better than one that has been raced hard and worn out.
But if the OP is getting the sound he wants with flats, why would he be wanting rounds?

[arsie]

Originally Posted by svenbass

A few thoughts.

1. As you know flats and rounds are pretty different beasts .. try hanging on for a while and see if you begin to jive with them. It's less an issue of the brand of string when comparing flats to rounds. Kind of like a sports car to a motorcycle.

2. If you dig the chromes on the Ric why not stay with them?

3. Rotosounds RS 66's are a classic roundwound pairing with the Ric. YMMV

4.Ultimately, you'll have to experiment until you're happy ...

good luck!!

Yeah, I might just swap back the strings when my honeymoon period with the bass is past to give it another go. Part of my problem with Chromes on a Ric, is that it sounds more Chromes than Ric (to me anyway). Hahahhaa.

Rotosound 66, now that's quite a leap away from flats!

Originally Posted by iiipopes

Go the other way: the new Fender flats 9050CL set, 45-60-80-105 has gauges very similar to RIC stock strings, has tension comparable to the chromes, is incredibly balanced and consistent both across the fretboard and up the neck, and has some of the growl of a roundwound. I've played them on a couple of 4003's, and they are absolutely great. I think you'll feel "just as home" on these strings as on chromes, and get more of the growl that Rick basses are known for.

Thanks for the suggestion, I will definitely look out for them. Ironically, I have not often found shops here carrying Fender strings.

Originally Posted by AlmightyPancake

I'm not comparing rounds to flats. Dead rounds to live rounds make a massive difference.

You are probably right. It might be because the strings are new. I don't know if it is those strings, but I felt a lack of a boom when playing them, even with the tone turned down to reduce the zing.

[Etchbass]

Originally Posted by AlmightyPancake

I couldn't disagree more.

The body and neck woods are probably the LEAST significant. Not to start a "woods don't matter" argument, because they do... to a certain extent.

The single biggest contributing factor to tone is your playing.
The second is easily strings. They affect your tone, from how hot your signal is to how much sustain they have. Keep in mind that the strings are the MOST direct connection between you and the electronic wave that travels through your wire. Long before resonant frequencies from the wood would have an effect on the "tone," the initial attack would have mellowed out.

Think of it this way: assuming two high-quality sadowsky basses are used on a track in a band mix, are you more likely to notice (without prompting) whether one of them has a birdseye maple freboard and another has ebony, or whether one of them is using brand new elixirs and the other is using long-dead rotosounds?

+1 to This.
What I was trying to say earlier:

Playing Style>Strings>Pickups>Amp

In a tone pie chart, body and neck wood would be the smallest piece. Different types of body wood and neck joints would help more with sustain and the overall comfterbility more than anything else.

[BillyIVbass]

Bought a Jazz and had it with deadish nickel rounds on it and thought it sounded boring, I even considered selling it. Threw on my go to Prosteels and love that bass. Having your favorite strings plays a big role in getting your sound. I'd say even more than an amp.

[Sublab]

The single biggest contributing factor to tone is your playing.

Sorry, but that is a seriously wrong statement IMO. I've played different basses with different strings while retaining the same playing technique, and without a doubt I could HEAR and feel the quality of certain basses AND could HEAR and feel their INHERENT sound! Yes, a great player can do much with even a bad bass, but if you want quality tone WITHOUT the addition of FX you'll need more that good playing technique and the right strings. If it were the other way around, why does a Rick practically always sound like a Rick then?

[AlmightyPancake]

Originally Posted by Sublab

The single biggest contributing factor to tone is your playing.

Sorry, but that is a seriously wrong statement IMO. I've played different basses with different strings while retaining the same playing technique, and without a doubt I could HEAR and feel the quality of certain basses AND could HEAR and feel their INHERENT sound! Yes, a great player can do much with even a bad bass, but if you want quality tone WITHOUT the addition of FX you'll need more that good playing technique and the right strings. If it were the other way around, why does a Rick practically always sound like a Rick then?

Nothing you said indicates that my statement is wrong.

Want to hear a huge tonal difference between two jazz basses with different woods? Play one with a pick and the other with fingerstyle. It'll take some serious EQ before you can make them sound the same. When listening to a mix, you can generally immediately tell what method of playing the bassist is using. That is part of your "tone."

Conversely, sit down and tell me if the person playing is using a Rick or a Rick copy knock-off. Tell me if it's got a maple board or an ovangkol board. Tell me if the top is burled. Tell me what kind of bridge he's using, or even what pickups.

Playing is the largest factor in tone.