Anyone tried flats on a Rickenbacker?

[Cat Burrito]

I'm thinking of trying some flatwounds on my Rickenbacker and wondered if anyone else did? I have flats on my Precisions but wondered what the Rickenbackers sounded like with those strings.

[The Bass Doc]

Legend has it that the model 4001 was designed with flats in mind.

Unless someone chimes in with an 'against' opinion, I think you should try them and report back.

[Doddy]

I once did a session for someone who insisted that I play a borrowed Rickenbacker with flatwound strings,
tuned BEAD,front pickup only,tone rolled off,foam mutes on,with a pick.

It was horrible.

[thebeat]

I toyed with the idea when i had my 4003...decided that it was a bit silly as i would end up losing that legendary Ric sound...that and the fact that it would have meant f'ing around with the useless piece of sh*t that Rickenbacker call a bridge.

[Clarky]

IIRC McCartney used flats on his 4001. Beedtser tried all manner of strings including flats on his old fretless 4003 so why not drop him a PM?

[Clarky]

Here you go BB - Rickenbacker's uber-boss John Hall recommends TI flats

[url="http://www.rickenbacker.com/forum_view_thread.asp?thread_id=6201&forum=Just_Basses&thread_name=Flatwound%20Strings%20for%204003u"]http://www.rickenbacker.com/forum_view_thr...s%20for%204003u[/url]

[Old Horse Murphy]

I had a set of La Bellas on my 4003 and loved them. They really changed the tone and to my ears it sounded great as it took a lot of the treble "clank" away and sort of evened everything out sonically.

They made the bass feel far nicer to play too

[Cat Burrito]

Thanks guys

[Shaggy]

[quote name='Clarky' post='840229' date='May 17 2010, 09:38 PM']IIRC McCartney used flats on his 4001. Beedtser tried all manner of strings including flats on his old fretless 4003 so why not drop him a PM?[/quote]

I've currently got his old 4003 FL with the Pyramid Gold flats he put on still on; as said above completely changes the character of the bass. A much thicker, thuddy tone compared to rounds, more mids and more cutting still than a P; think late Beatles / early Pink Floyd. I've never been keen on flats but have to say I'm quite hooked; going to try La Bella Deep Talkin' next change.

[Clarky]

[quote name='Shaggy' post='840494' date='May 18 2010, 08:21 AM']I've currently got his old 4003 FL with the Pyramid Gold flats he put on still on[/quote]
McCartney's? Impressive

[Shaggy]

[quote name='Clarky' post='840498' date='May 18 2010, 08:26 AM']McCartney's? Impressive [/quote]


Nah, I chucked his out, it was a worn out piece of cr@p..........

[GreeneKing]

I had TI's on my C64S and they suited it extremely well. In fact I've not heard flats sound as good on any other bass.

Pedro