Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
New Optima RB Flats (old Maxima reproductions)
- Thread starter Pantone 333
- Start date
-
- Tags
- flats
Yeah, had these on my RIC for a while. They were cool. Not the smoothest string but I enjoyed the relatively lighter tension. Sound wise, i honestly don't remember in great detail. They died quickly and at the time I was wanting a more lively string for the RIC. I'd be curious to try then again... I think I still have them. I know that's not much help, sorry!
I have. They're pretty decent strings, but unless you're in Europe, they're quite pricey. I notice you're a fellow Montrealer. Is there a store in town that's selling them?
I did make two videos demonstrating their tone (and yes, I suck at playing)
Playing improved a little here... sound demo begins at 4:12
I've tried them. Kinda liked them. Not the smoothest string, like @Coughdrops says. Nice, medium tension, and a well-balanced sound, IIRC. Well worth the money if you want to try them out.
They get pretty smooth with playing. They are quite zingy when brand new, but they settle in quite nicely after a week or two of regular playing. The E string sounds deep, they do get moderately thumpy, but not as much as the GHS and Labellas. I only got them because a fellow TBer, @dannster, sold them for a decent price.
The best feature I could say about these strings is the consistent tone across all of them. For example, playing a 'C' on the A string versus the same note on the E string doesn't sound radically different (once the strings are broken in, that is) When foam or palm-muted they have more click than other flats I've tried.
If you don't mind paying 60 bucks a set in Canada (if you can find them, of course) I'd recommend them.
The specific flats I'm referring to are these:
Optima Strings | RB FLATWOUND BASS | Strings for E-Bass
Optima Strings | RB FLATWOUND BASS | Strings for E-Bass
Oh. Those are the old Maximas redone and packaged of old. Not the same as mine, which are hex-core like most flats. Not sure if we Canadians can even get them.
WHOA. wild. so there are now 2 different optima flatwound strings. i need to buy these and check them out, i love roundcore flats.
thank you!!
thank you!!
found this description. could be a great head to head with TI jazz flats
.045 .057 .077 .100 - Set / E-Bass 4-string
OPTIMA RB FLATWOUND bass strings - For bass players who yearn for that old-school thump of the 50's and 60's, Optima has gone back in time to re-produce a flat wound bass string, which truly revives the feel and sound of an era... the way you remember it.
Optima has endeavoured to make the RB FLATWOUNDS authentic in every way. Constructed over a round core for increased flexibility and lower tension, the RB FLATWOUNDS are wound with a pure nickel flat wire, which is thenpolished to a high shine, resulting in a string that is both supple and comfortable to play. With the RB FLATWOUNDS Optima has created a flat wound bass string which echo's the classic tones of yesteryear. The core consists of the finest round steel with a silk inlay, the windings are wound of alloys specially made for Optima, and manufactured in the Double Wound process. Last but not least, the pure nickel flat wire which is being finely polished at the very end.
@Pantone 333 you might want to update the title of the thread to be New Optima RB Flats (old Maxima reproductions)
or something similar. these strings are very well regarded old strings.
.045 .057 .077 .100 - Set / E-Bass 4-string
- Pure Nickel Flatwound
- Round core, with silk inlay
- Long Scale
OPTIMA RB FLATWOUND bass strings - For bass players who yearn for that old-school thump of the 50's and 60's, Optima has gone back in time to re-produce a flat wound bass string, which truly revives the feel and sound of an era... the way you remember it.
Optima has endeavoured to make the RB FLATWOUNDS authentic in every way. Constructed over a round core for increased flexibility and lower tension, the RB FLATWOUNDS are wound with a pure nickel flat wire, which is thenpolished to a high shine, resulting in a string that is both supple and comfortable to play. With the RB FLATWOUNDS Optima has created a flat wound bass string which echo's the classic tones of yesteryear. The core consists of the finest round steel with a silk inlay, the windings are wound of alloys specially made for Optima, and manufactured in the Double Wound process. Last but not least, the pure nickel flat wire which is being finely polished at the very end.
@Pantone 333 you might want to update the title of the thread to be New Optima RB Flats (old Maxima reproductions)
or something similar. these strings are very well regarded old strings.
Calling @SLaPiNFuNK -- any idea if you can get these in eventually?
The irony is, we have a Canadian distributor, but they carry maybe only 3-6 Optima products in total.
The irony is, we have a Canadian distributor, but they carry maybe only 3-6 Optima products in total.
FYI Strings by Mail just got their order in today, and he said tomorrow they should be available on their website.
Invalid Link Removed
it does look like they ship to canada.
Invalid Link Removed
it does look like they ship to canada.
Oh wow yeah not the ones I tried. Great... Another wad of cash out the door 
Your attitude says no but your eyes say yes
Stop it! First FrenchyQC with his SITs, now you with this! Enablers!Your attitude says no but your eyes say yes
That said, yeah, I think I might need to eventually buy a set.
Found an German online retailer who sells them for roughly 48 euros a set. Which translates to roughly 73 bucks CND (not including shipping). Not cheap. Not sure if they deliver to Canada. Checked the Strings By Mail site, they don't seem to be up yet.
Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed
chris merrill
Supporting Member
- Dec 14, 2012
- 675
- 506
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist for: GHS Strings, Lakland Basses
I put a set of Optima RB flats on my Rickenbacker a little while back, and I dig the feel of them. Unfortunately, I haven't had the opportunity to play the bass through my amp yet, so I can't really comment on how they sound. But, strong thump and light sustain seems to be what they deliver. The E-string is especially thumpy.
