Best strings for a ric?

[4-Stringer]

I'll get my 2nd Ric 4004 next week.
I currently own a 4003 and a 4004, both with LaBella 760fl. I really like these strings, but having two 4004 basses might be a good reason to use different strings on them.
Any recommendations? I prefer flatwounds or "almost" flatwounds.

Thx!

 

[scuz]

It'll help to know what kind of music you aim on playing with it.

Until then: DR Lo-Riders.

 

[Chunk-O-Funk]

When it comes to Ric's I have two sounds I like.

Really bright and gritty = Stainless steel strings. Back when I played my Ric full time I used Rotosounds.

or

That old McCartney sound (Silly Love Song) = Flats. Labella flats are great.

 

[RickenBoogie]

I like, in no particular order: Roundwounds, nickle- Ric factory strings, SS- Roto Swing bass, and Flatwounds: Roto Jazz flats, 77. These are some great flats on a Ric, I used them on my 4001 for years, very responsive to playing style changes, (pick, fingers), and they last a loooong time, unlike the round Roto's.

 

[zeppelinfreak]

Sorry for the following noob comment, but wouldnt putting flatwounds on a ric be contrary to the purpose of buying a ric?

As someone whos never played a ric, I always imagined you buy them for a bright trebly tone, and flats would counter that?

 

[justBrian]

I use Chromes on mine and totally dig the tone and the feel. It'll still bark if you dig in.

 

[Munjibunga]

For a Ric, I'd recommend those rubber ones they use on the DeArmond Ashbory basses.

 

[Mystic Michael]

Sorry for the following noob comment, but wouldnt putting flatwounds on a ric be contrary to the purpose of buying a ric?

As someone whos never played a ric, I always imagined you buy them for a bright trebly tone, and flats would counter that?

If you will re-read Chunk-O-Funk's post, perhaps you then will understand...

MM

 

[rickon]

Rotosound 77s for that classic McCartney sound and DR Sunbeams for more control and a brighter tone.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

When it comes to Ric's I have two sounds I like.

Really bright and gritty = Stainless steel strings. Back when I played my Ric full time I used Rotosounds.

or

That old McCartney sound (Silly Love Song) = Flats. Labella flats are great.

Great idea on LaBella flats; I've never had a set of flats on my Rick. I used Rotosounds for years, then I switched to D'Addario XL's. I've had a set of D'Addario Half Rounds on it for quite some time now, but I'm going to look into a set of LaBella's!

 

[incubus2432]

On my 4004 Laredo I have LaBella Deep Talkin' Flats and like 'em but prefer the D'Addario Chromes on my 4004LK just a tad. They have a slightly brighter tone that I prefer.

 

[Hemitom]

Odd man out here but I've been using Knucklehead Leans(.100 E) for the last year and love em,much nicer feel but the same twang as the Roto's(saves the frets too!)

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

My Rick is a '76 4001. Which gauge of flatwounds should I buy?

 

[4-Stringer]

On my 4004 Laredo I have LaBella Deep Talkin' Flats and like 'em but prefer the D'Addario Chromes on my 4004LK just a tad. They have a slightly brighter tone that I prefer.

Wow, you've got a 4004LK? Lucky bastard

Okay, I still have a set of Chromes I used for one day (testing) on a Fender JB. I'll try them on the new 4004. Let's see what happens...

@zeppelinfreak
hmm, what "purpose" is in buying a Ric? Those basses are far more versatile than the overused cliché pretends.
Of course a Ric sounds like a Ric, but the sound of a 4004 is very different to a 4003 or (even more) a 4001.
With the LaBellas, I'm able to get sounds that are close to a double bass and if you hit the bass really hard with a pick, it's very nice for heavy metal

 

[synaesthesia]

thomastik jazz flats or pyramid flats.