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Switching to flatwounds on Rickenbacker 4003, advice please

Y_S_Rickenbach

Y_S_Rickenbach

Aug 26, 2021
11
4
#1
Hey all - I just got a factory fresh 4003 and have decided I want to switch to flatwounds. I'm considering these two options:

La Bella 760FS Deep Talkin' Bass Flatwound Bass Strings - Standard

Rotosound RS77LD Jazz 77 Monel Flatwound Long Scale Bass Strings

My main question is: as long as I stick to the same gauge as the factory Ric strings (45-105), will I be ok to plug n play? Or will I need a setup/truss rod adjustment due to the differences in tension?

I have no experience with doing this myself so would appreciate any insights!
 
#3
Y_S_Rickenbach said:
Hey all - I just got a factory fresh 4003 and have decided I want to switch to flatwounds. I'm considering these two options:

La Bella 760FS Deep Talkin' Bass Flatwound Bass Strings - Standard

Rotosound RS77LD Jazz 77 Monel Flatwound Long Scale Bass Strings

My main question is: as long as I stick to the same gauge as the factory Ric strings (45-105), will I be ok to plug n play? Or will I need a setup/truss rod adjustment due to the differences in tension?

I have no experience with doing this myself so would appreciate any insights!
Click to expand...
As to string choices, I have been using TI Jazz Flats for a long time on my Ricks. Almost like they were made for Ricks.
 
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#5
Y_S_Rickenbach said:
I have been looking at those as well. Do you use .45-.105? Did it require a truss rod adjustment?
Click to expand...
TI JFs come in only one gauge, so that make the choice real easy. As to TR adjustments, since I do that as a routine when putting new strings on a bass and also, seasonally, I don't really recall whether it was necessary, or not. Do you have a fear (uncomfortable with doing so) of making adjustments your bass? Every bassist (and guitarist) should learn how to make all the basic, simple adjustments needed to their instruments. Very easy to learn to do them if you don't know how yet, and it requires just some very basic tools.
 
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#6
Jeff Scott said:
TI JFs come in only one gauge, so that make the choice real easy. As to TR adjustments, since I do that as a routine when putting new strings on a bass and also, seasonally, I don't really recall whether it was necessary, or not. Do you have a fear (uncomfortable with doing so) of making adjustments your bass? Every bassist (and guitarist) should learn how to make all the basic, simple adjustments needed to their instruments. Very easy to learn to do them if you don't know how yet, and it requires just some very basic tools.
Click to expand...

So I've played guitar for over 25 years and am comfortable with basic adjustments. I'm newer to bass (though I've also dallied) and am getting more serious for recording purposes. I'm not as familiar with the double truss rod of the Ric. When restringing guitars these types of adjustments are not generally needed (assuming you have a quality instrument). I set up my guitars at most twice annually.

FWIW I just got this response from La Bella when asking about string gauges:

"Thanks for reaching out!

Our Rickenbacker 400 players LOVE our Low Tension Flats. It has a cult following. We definitely suggest trying those out. They will have less tension than the Deep Talkin Bass series but still sound like our classic flat wounds from the Deep Talkin' Bass series.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Total Tension in Lbs: 134.90 (1st 36.2, 2nd 34, 3rd 30.5, 4th 34.2)"
 
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#7
The double truss rods are pretty much just as easy to adjust as only a single one. For the most part, they are adjusted equally. My Alembics also had double truss rods in them.

I rarely have/had to make adjustments to any of the guitars I own/used to own. Perhaps, this is primarily due to lower tension strings and shorter necks.
 
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#8
Truss rod adjustments are just part of playing, not scary at all.

The two flats you listed are probably my least favorite.

TI flats are popular but I'm not their biggest fan.

Pyramid Golds are by far my favorite, with Ernie Ball Cobalt Extra slinky a distant second.
 
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#10
Jeff Scott said:
As to string choices, I have been using TI Jazz Flats for a long time on my Ricks. Almost like they were made for Ricks.
Click to expand...

Good advice Jeff Scott is giving you! Not only do TIs sound the best but they are low tension. Most flats are very high tension. Use TIs. Your Ric will thank you. Plus, they can last up to 10 years. The best flats money can buy!
 
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#11
Jeff Scott said:
As to string choices, I have been using TI Jazz Flats for a long time on my Ricks. Almost like they were made for Ricks.
Click to expand...

I just ordered a set of these for my Rick 4003s/5, I've been using rounds but wanted to change up the sound a bit. Hoping their sound justifies the price tag!

As for LaBella flats, I found them to be overly thumpy, but if that's something you're looking for you'll like them.
 
#12
There's a Rick player out here who's using just about every kind - and gauge - of flatwound strings they make. And loves them, too. As has been mentioned, TIJFs are popular with Rick owners; La Bella LTF's are well liked, too. Based on what I like to hear from my 2 Rick basses? Fender 9050Ls would be a good choice; the really light gauge La Bella 760FXs would be worth a try, too. Dogal R44s might be nice, also. Any flats that are in the "modern", mostly mid-range family seem to work well on Ricks, IMO. Personally? My 4003 wears Optima RBs; Optima's "reproduction" of the Maxima flats that used to come stock on Rick basses. But, that's the sound I want from that bass; not as much bottom end as La Bella DTFs, but not real middy, either. Their 4099RL Chromes might be worth a shot, too. My old 4001 has neck issues (incipient "negative neck angle"), and needs strings with the lightest tension I can get. It has Dogal CS90B Carbon Steels flats on it right now. Tension is stupid low, but... jury's still out, tone wise. I have a set of TIJFs on standby, just in case... So, bottom line? Try whichever flats you want. As others have said; you'll have to at least check your set up when you put new strings on your bass - especially so if you put different new strings on it. Don't be afraid to experiment - and let us know if you find some flats that the rest of us might like to try, too...:thumbsup:
 
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#14
Just following up here: in the end I threw Le Bella's on there (not the low tension, the regular 45-105). The only adjustment I've had to make so far is grab a metal file and make a wee bit of room in the A and D nut slots (they were so frigging narrow!) to accommodate the slight change in gauge on those two strings (La Bellas are .65 and .85 compared to the .55 and .75 that came stock on the Ric).

So far I'm not seeing problems with action or intonation - maybe the slightest of changes in neck curve but I can barely sight it so I didn't bother adjusting the truss rod yet. I'll see how it holds up for the next couple of weeks. The most important thing is it just sounds amazing!! This is exactly the sound I had in my head and is coming out GREAT recorded in my little project studio :)
 
#15
The best set to get the traditional OEM tone, and this is agreed by other players - search the threads, are the Optima RB set. These are the re-creation of the OEM Maximas of the '60's and '70's.
 

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