New 4003; Which Flats?

[billoetjen]

Hi Folks,

I know I'm stepping into a huge stinking pile here, but it's a chance to test out my hip boots.

I just pulled the trigger on a *brand* *new* Rickenbacker 4003 in functional Jetglo. Some things just can't be explained.

Anyway, the factory ships them with rounds. I swear to you that before I play one note plugged in, I will strip the strings off and swap the stock bridge saddle adjustment screws for Allen head hex screws, and put on a set of flats.

The question is:
Which Flats?

I stick to Labella DTB 760FS for my p/j style basses. Them and TI's for fretless.

To my ear, nothing says "bass" like the thump in the attack, and a certain musical richness from worn-in DTB flats.
But the Ric is a whole other beast. This is where I turn to my learned peers at TalkBass. Please to speak from your experience.
Oh, and if you want to tell me to stick with rounds: don't.

[TheMutt]

Never tried em on a Ric (sadly I've never even played one of these basses... but a Midnight Blue Ric sounds super tasty...) but I absolutely love D'Addario Chromes on my Stingray 5'er.

I'm going to try using two sets of rounds again on it (obviously one set at a time, and replace them when needed) but I'm fairly sure I'll end up going back to the chromes when I'm all done.

[Warrior_Bass]

I used the Rotosound Steve Harris strings. They brought out more of the signature ric tone than any other string I've used: roundwound, stainless, tried them all. The only issue is that the strings are very thick, and very tense. If you can handle that, and don't mind filing your nut, you might really like the sound. Perhaps you should try it on another bass first to assure your investment is a worthy one.

[Chris K]

It strongly depends on what you wanna play on that nice new Ric... Something those P's and J's are not up to?

IMHO (and I tried Chromes, Rotos, Labellas etc.) you can play just about anything on TI Jazz Flats. No problem trying them, since you have'm on that fretless; just swap'm to the Ric and watch what happens. Will cost you nothing.

[M0ses]

Yeah, might as well try TIs and DTFs and if you're not satisfied with either of those then try something like Chromes.

[UncleFluffy]

I liked the DR flats on mine, until I switched back to Roto 66s.

(Completely different sounds, but both good).

[Tarrbot]

I've got to pitch in on the Rotosound Tru Bass 88s in tapewound.

They are mellow and sound just fine on mine.

[billoetjen]

bump

[LaklandBass]

Id like to point out that the Chromes are offered in quite a bundle of guages. ( just found this out myself) If you check ebay youll find all of them.
I believe they go
40 60 75 95 Super light
40 60 80 100 Custom light
45 65 80 100 Light
45 65 85 105 Medium

[Muckaluck]

I voted GHS Precision Flats. I think they'd add more body to the Rick sound.

[billoetjen]

All good suggestions so far.
Just from my experience with D'addario Chromes, I think they should be a good match, but I'd love to hear more reflections from you good folks.
Muckaluck, I haven't used Precision Flats in a long time, so my recollection is fuzzy. What is in their tone that they can contribute? I think a lot of people here claim that they're "dead" sounding. What's your take?
Lackland, any guess which Chromes set will fit the Ric without filing the nut? I'm partial to fat, stiff strings, so the Med would be great if they can fit.
Oh, and style will mostly be Electric Blues (think Albert King, Robert Jr. Lockwood, a little B. B. King) in a four-piece: rhythm, lead guitars, drums, bass. Important question, thank you Chris K. The guitars are LP on rhythm and hollow-body Gretsch on lead. We're not loud, but we keep it up-tempo. My preference leans towards a bass sound that's like Mr. Rhodes' description. A definite pulse, a physical presence, but not out front. But the part you hear has to be "musical." Hope this helps.

[P-punk]

I voted Pyramids. Check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HHr3Ub8Jm4

[Surly]

Chromes or Labella?!?! Not easy choice.

[billoetjen]

Oh, and what about those built-in mutes?

[smo]

I assume you're tuning to EADG?

If so, I'd want more tension than TI Jazz Flats, but they are THE BEST strings for playing way down in C. (5str. set tuned UP)

If playing in D, the Roto's are pretty good, but I find them too stiff in E to do lots of bending etc., however the big phatty seems like it should have a bit more tension to get more balance with the rest of the set.

[billoetjen]

Originally Posted by smo

I assume you're tuning to EADG?

That's right.

[KYJazzy]

It's just going to be popular opinion. I've had both Chromes and Labellas, but only on P and J basses. Honestly, Labella's moved me in ways Chromes never did, but for a Rick, it's anyone's call. Both are great flatwound strings.

If you want crisp, more articulate highs with some bite, get the Chromes.
If you want smooth buttery goodness with a more midrange focus, get the Labellas.

I've also had Fender flats which I did not care for. Heaps of old school thump, but tons of tension and none of the great feel of Chromes or Labellas. Ahh, the feel of Labella 760FL's is worth getting them alone to me.

the choice is yours and yours alone. goooood luuck~

[Muckaluck]

Originally Posted by billoetjen

All good suggestions so far.
Just from my experience with D'addario Chromes, I think they should be a good match, but I'd love to hear more reflections from you good folks.
Muckaluck, I haven't used Precision Flats in a long time, so my recollection is fuzzy. What is in their tone that they can contribute? I think a lot of people here claim that they're "dead" sounding. What's your take?
Lackland, any guess which Chromes set will fit the Ric without filing the nut? I'm partial to fat, stiff strings, so the Med would be great if they can fit.
Oh, and style will mostly be Electric Blues (think Albert King, Robert Jr. Lockwood, a little B. B. King) in a four-piece: rhythm, lead guitars, drums, bass. Important question, thank you Chris K. The guitars are LP on rhythm and hollow-body Gretsch on lead. We're not loud, but we keep it up-tempo. My preference leans towards a bass sound that's like Mr. Rhodes' description. A definite pulse, a physical presence, but not out front. But the part you hear has to be "musical." Hope this helps.

Yeah, I'd agree with the claim that they're 'dead' sounding. I guess I see the 4003 as an upper mid voiced bass. By putting on dead, thumpy strings I think it fills in the lower frequencies a bit better.

[jallenbass]

I wouldn't call GHS Precision flats "dead" though I understand what you mean. They are definitely thumpy but their sound is very interesting as opposed to lifeless. It would only cost $20 or so to try them.

[billoetjen]

bump - I need some help here.