I always had good luck with Rotosound Swing Bass 66 on my 1972 Rick 4001. never had neck or fretwear issues, standard gauge- 45-105. As for flats, TI Jazz flats, and I actually liked the stock Rick flats.
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Best strings for Rickenbacker 4003?
- Thread starter sugerbass
- Start date
If your jazz double bass has Spirocores, then Fender 9050CL flats are more of the tonal analog. The TI's electric jazz flats are more like D'addario Helicores orchestra, with their pure nickel wrap, and electric flatwound chromes, by whatever company, are more like some of the Pirastro orchestra strings in tone, or Bel Cantos. Your ears may be different; these are just my impressions, and there are a lot of DB strings I haven't played yet, and a few new electric strings I'm not familiar with.
I double also. Actually, I triple: add tuba to DB & EB.
I double also. Actually, I triple: add tuba to DB & EB.
Dear all
Here's what I've just posted on our French forum "OnlyBass.fr" about my recent experience with flats for my new 4003.
When I find the time (???!!) I'll translate it for you.
Olzebest,
Orphee, Grenoble , France
----------------------------
Bonsoir à tous
Après tests comparatifs en live, voici ce que j'aurais moi même aimé trouver comme post sur les flats pour Rick :
4003 toute neuve il y a deux semaines
Chromes flats toutes neuves
Direct au studio le lendemain
Basse branchée direct dans la table de mix via le preampli d'un Hartke qui trainait par là.
Mixage minimaliste au minimum d'une simple compression c'est tout.
Résultat sonore : => Facebook / savemysoul Grenoble
les deux premiers morceaux enregistrés sont enchaînés sur la vidéo du haut de page.
Ensuite hier soir en répète j'ai monté simultanément, en plus du MI des chromes encore presque neuf (4 heures au total?), une MI de 760 FS ayant déjà joué deux ans (environ 30 concerts de 2 heures et 50 répètes de 2 heures), et une LA de TI JF344 ayant servi moins d'une heure.
Les trois cordes montées côte à côte et jouées en comparaison sur un petit Groove tout simple en boucle pendant un quart d'heure, (...au grand "plaisir" de mon groupe)
Style de jeu : soul des sixties aux doigts.
A l'issue de cette torture 'en solo' voici notre verdict / classement:
1) 760FS = bien plus de gras en bas, plus de punch, moins d'aigus, mais on garde qdmm une bonne partie du son Rick par derrière. Les connaissant bien car déjà montées sur mon SB1000 depuis longtemps je sais qu'elles ne bougeront pas.
2) D'ad chromes XL = moins de gras, plus d'aigus, le son Rick très présent superbe, mais je ne les avais pas aimées sur mon sb1000 car avec le temps le toucher se degrade, et elles perdent leur brillant et deviennent un peu brouillon avec le temps, tu te retrouveras probablement avec le sourd des LABELLA mais punch et gras en moins. De plus je ne joue pas du rock en power trio, mais de la soûl à douze: le gras est obligatoire pour moi (Groupe complet : rythmique plus section cuivres voix etc.)
3) TI JF344 que je découvre à peine: elles sont les plus 'légères' en son (et plus souples mais je m'en fous), le son est superbe et garde le type Rick, mais ce n'est pas ce que je recherche. Elles aussi manquent de gras en bas.
En fait à mes oreilles et à celles de mon complice (batteur de très longue date et apprenti bassiste sur fender jazz USA), ayant testé deux 4003 neuves différentes avant la mienne (toutes deux filets ronds d'origine) sur le même ampli Markbass 121cmd (entre autres) mais dans des lieux différents, ça manque tout le temps de ce gras bien spécifique des fender. A mon avis personnel les labella lui rendent une bonne partie de ces graves, et les robustes et efficaces réglages du Markbass 121cmd lui rendent l'aute partie. Le son Rick semble relativement préservé (enfin, sur une Mi pendant 5 minutes en solo...)
Plus de retour lorsque j'aurai reçu et utilisé plus longuement le jeu de 760FSB (oui, je compte la monter en BEAD, comme mes SB1000)
Voilà, j'espère que ça aidera quelqu'un
Bonne soirée à tous
Orphee, Grenoble
Here's what I've just posted on our French forum "OnlyBass.fr" about my recent experience with flats for my new 4003.
When I find the time (???!!) I'll translate it for you.
Olzebest,
Orphee, Grenoble , France
----------------------------
Bonsoir à tous
Après tests comparatifs en live, voici ce que j'aurais moi même aimé trouver comme post sur les flats pour Rick :
4003 toute neuve il y a deux semaines
Chromes flats toutes neuves
Direct au studio le lendemain
Basse branchée direct dans la table de mix via le preampli d'un Hartke qui trainait par là.
Mixage minimaliste au minimum d'une simple compression c'est tout.
Résultat sonore : => Facebook / savemysoul Grenoble
les deux premiers morceaux enregistrés sont enchaînés sur la vidéo du haut de page.
Ensuite hier soir en répète j'ai monté simultanément, en plus du MI des chromes encore presque neuf (4 heures au total?), une MI de 760 FS ayant déjà joué deux ans (environ 30 concerts de 2 heures et 50 répètes de 2 heures), et une LA de TI JF344 ayant servi moins d'une heure.
Les trois cordes montées côte à côte et jouées en comparaison sur un petit Groove tout simple en boucle pendant un quart d'heure, (...au grand "plaisir" de mon groupe)
Style de jeu : soul des sixties aux doigts.
A l'issue de cette torture 'en solo' voici notre verdict / classement:
1) 760FS = bien plus de gras en bas, plus de punch, moins d'aigus, mais on garde qdmm une bonne partie du son Rick par derrière. Les connaissant bien car déjà montées sur mon SB1000 depuis longtemps je sais qu'elles ne bougeront pas.
2) D'ad chromes XL = moins de gras, plus d'aigus, le son Rick très présent superbe, mais je ne les avais pas aimées sur mon sb1000 car avec le temps le toucher se degrade, et elles perdent leur brillant et deviennent un peu brouillon avec le temps, tu te retrouveras probablement avec le sourd des LABELLA mais punch et gras en moins. De plus je ne joue pas du rock en power trio, mais de la soûl à douze: le gras est obligatoire pour moi (Groupe complet : rythmique plus section cuivres voix etc.)
3) TI JF344 que je découvre à peine: elles sont les plus 'légères' en son (et plus souples mais je m'en fous), le son est superbe et garde le type Rick, mais ce n'est pas ce que je recherche. Elles aussi manquent de gras en bas.
En fait à mes oreilles et à celles de mon complice (batteur de très longue date et apprenti bassiste sur fender jazz USA), ayant testé deux 4003 neuves différentes avant la mienne (toutes deux filets ronds d'origine) sur le même ampli Markbass 121cmd (entre autres) mais dans des lieux différents, ça manque tout le temps de ce gras bien spécifique des fender. A mon avis personnel les labella lui rendent une bonne partie de ces graves, et les robustes et efficaces réglages du Markbass 121cmd lui rendent l'aute partie. Le son Rick semble relativement préservé (enfin, sur une Mi pendant 5 minutes en solo...)
Plus de retour lorsque j'aurai reçu et utilisé plus longuement le jeu de 760FSB (oui, je compte la monter en BEAD, comme mes SB1000)
Voilà, j'espère que ça aidera quelqu'un
Bonne soirée à tous
Orphee, Grenoble
I took the liberty, using Google Translate (which isn't always perfect!)
good evening everyone
After comparative tests live, here's what I would have liked to find myself as a post on the flats to Rick:
4003 brand new it two weeks ago
Chrome brand new flats
Direct to the studio the next day
Direct low plugged into the mixing desk via the preamp with a Hartke that was lying there.
minimalist mixing at least a simple compression that's all.
Sound Result: => Facebook / savemysoul Grenoble
the first two recorded songs are strung on top of the video.
Then last night I repeat mounted simultaneously, in addition to MI chrome still almost new (4 hours total?), An IM 760 FS having already played two years (about 30 concerts of 2 hours and 50 rehearsals 2 hours), and an LA IT JF344 used within an hour.
The three strings mounted side by side and played in comparison to a simple little loop Groove for a quarter of an hour (... the great "pleasure" of my group)
Playing Style: soul sixties fingers.
After this torture 'solo' here is our verdict / ranking:
1) 760FS = more fat bottom, more punch, less acute, but qdmm keeps much of its Rick behind. Knowing them well because already mounted on my SB1000 long I know they will not move.
2) On the ad chrome XL = less fat, more treble, Rick's very beautiful now, but I had not liked them on my SB1000 because with time degrades the touch, and they lose their shine and become a bit messy with time, you're probably will recover with the deaf LABELLA but the punch and less fat. Also I do not play the rock power trio, but the drunk to twelve: the fat is mandatory for me (complete Group: rhythm section more voices brass etc.)
3) IT JF344 I discovered only: they are the "light" in his (and more flexible, but I do not care), the sound is superb and keeps the guy Rick, but that's not what I research. They also lack the fat down.
In fact in my ears and those of my partner (drummer and bassist very long apprenticeship of fender jazz USA), who tested two different new 4003 before mine (both original round threads) on the same amp Markbass 121cmd (among others) but in different places, I miss all the time of this specific fat fender. I think the staff labella make him a good part of these serious, and robust and efficient settings 121cmd Markbass make him part igh. Rick sound seems relatively preserved (well, a Mi for 5 minutes solo ...)
More back when I have received and used longer the game 760FSB (yes, I intend to go up in BEAD like my SB1000)
Well, I hope it will help someone
Good evening to all
Orphee, Grenoble
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I'm not a Ric owner. But I've played my share over the years. IMO either TI Flats or Rotosound Swing Bass 66s are the way to go. But I'm also a rocker rather than a jazzer, so my tastes may be very different than yours, despite my starting my musical life playing jazz almost exclusively as well as on an upright.
As was mentioned, Chris Brubeck uses nylons on his fretless Ric. If that's the sort of sound you like, some nylons may be the ticket. Listen below:
As was mentioned, Chris Brubeck uses nylons on his fretless Ric. If that's the sort of sound you like, some nylons may be the ticket. Listen below:
- Oct 7, 2000
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Strings are a completely personal thing. Way too many things go into the equation, and it's impossible for anyone to tell anyone which strings will work best. A long while back I won some TI strings and absolutely hated them. Had I paid full price for them I'd have been livid. Others swear by them. I tried a bunch of DR strings. Some I loved others I couldn't wait to get off my bass. All of them had RAVE reviews by people here.
IMO the best middle of the road strings are Daddario nickels. I rarely if ever hear anyone complain about them. Those, and their Fender equivalent (forget the number) I always feel safe with. Anything else, especially expensive strings, I feel I'm taking a gamble.
IMO the best middle of the road strings are Daddario nickels. I rarely if ever hear anyone complain about them. Those, and their Fender equivalent (forget the number) I always feel safe with. Anything else, especially expensive strings, I feel I'm taking a gamble.
I'm a flatwound lover but for some strange reason I hated using flats with my Rick, the feeling was nice but the sound was not that good... I changed to a set of roto-s swing bass and never looked back! Sounds incredible
Right now I have D'addario coated rounds on mine and I like them. For rounds I usually use Blue Steels and for flats the Ernie Ball Cobalts play very well to my ears on my Ric. If your looking for a more traditional 60's type Ric sound then the Fender 9050cl's I find to be very nice. Nice punchy bottom end with a nice subdued growl.
Tape wounds, maybe? I have 2 Ricks, but they wear nickel round wounds in different gauges. And, an upright bass, Jazz sound isn't what I'm after with them, anyway. The bass that I do try to get that sound with, is a violin bass with Rotosound 88 tape wounds. I think it does a pretty good job, though I need a lot of work on my playing technique (as in, like an upright bass). Flats might work for you, but they need a lot of break-in time before you'll really know. Tapes? You'll know pretty quick if they'll work for you, or not...
That's my role since I'm largely a jazz upright player. I find that when I go to my electrics I largely *don't* want them to sound like the upright because, frankly, they're not going to touch that sound. That said, I find big winding SS strings annoying after my upright's Spirocore flats and prefer more warmth. Hence the following:
(i) Rounds: TI jazz rounds, DR sunbeams, D'Addario XLs -- all nickel, or Dean Markley Blue Steel SS (atypical)
(ii) Flats: TI jazz flats, they just don't sound like anything else.
Man, I love that performance. I've heard Chris live a couple of times. Really lovely player.
Mind boggling isn't it. Not only for how accurate and toneful his fretless playing is, but the fact he's singing along with it too...
Heard him, his brother Darius, and the old man when he was still around a few times myself. Talk about a musical family! Dave Brubeck used to live in an upscale town not too far from where I live. Back in the late '60s and early '70s we used to see the Brubecks around all the time. Nice people.
I was lucky enough to see four Brubecks at a show in a rather small theatre in the mid-70's: Dave and Darius on keys, Chris on bass and Dan on drums. I remember Dan being a terrific drummer.
I saw the Brubeck Bros in a theater gig in Minneapolis 10 or 15 years ago and they were awesome. I clearly recall Chris played a well-worn fretless Ibanez Ric copy at that gig and it sounded fine. I'm fairly sure the bass he is using in this vid is the same Ibanez bass he played back then, but maybe not. The apparent binding on the head stock is throwing me
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I used to vacillate between TI's and DR Fat Beams when I wanted to go round wound on the 4001. After that and trying other rounds I've gone back to the JF344s for good, they just sound best on this particular 4001 giving me a punchy warm sound that works for every style. Just installed a new set of Tis from Jason @ Bass Strings Online and they'll last me a couple of years at least.
I'm new to the world of Ric. I've had a 4003 for a couple of months and I'm about to try my 4th set of strings. These are Roto 77's flatwound. I should have started here cause they've never let me down. I can't stand finger noise so any kind of round is out of the question. I'm also changing the tuners to Hipshot HB5. I'll let you know....
My Rickenbacker 4003 is strung with D'Addario ETB92 Nylons. Very smooth, and put out a deep, flat string tone. With the amp, and bass settings, the Nylons can do a stand up bass sound.
