I'm considering getting a Ric 4003 soon, done some research and I see a mixed results regarding strings. Which do you use and why? Trying to keep this somewhat scientific, so no carrots option 
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Rickenbacker - Rounds -or- Flats
- Thread starter Crusher47
- Start date
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- Tags
- flats rickenbacker rounds
I really, really dislike everything about Rickenbackers...except how they sound. They sound great.
They sound great with flats:
They also sound great with rounds. They seem to sound great regardless of what strings you use.
They sound great with flats:
They also sound great with rounds. They seem to sound great regardless of what strings you use.
I have Rotosound SM77 flats on my 4003 at the moment. I think they're a bit over a year old (late 2016). At bedroom volume they just sound kind of dull, but at gig volume in a band mix they sound great.
I vote rounds, but watch out for the whole finish coming off around the bridge thing.
Trying to keep this somewhat scientific, so no carrots option
Hi Crusher47
I don 't have a Rick
But if I ever buy one, I will certainly not string her with carrots!
Maybe I' ll put some rounds on. (just because I use them on all my basses)
Sorry
no science, just rock!greetings
Wise
I'm using the stock rounds. When they need changing I'll order the same.
This is a '98 model...no finish probs here. I say Rock the Rounds and watch people's faces when they hear that distinct, matchless sound of an iconic, legendary bass guitar.
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
I had a 1998 4003 for a while. When I got it, it had some kind of dead rounds on it. I put TI Jazz flats on it. That was good up to a point, but I found it had a bit of a scratchy sound to it. Then I put a set of DR SunBeams on it. Much better. I think it would probably sound pretty good with EB Cobalt Flats, since they sound a lot like broken in rounds once the initial zing wears off. I really didn't like the way the Ric sounded with brand new rounds on it. There were other things that kept me from bonding with it completely, so it's gone. Nice bass, though. I just didn't like it enough to keep it.
I have two 4003s. On the 2015 I use the stock Ric strings, which I like. On the 1983 I have D'Addario EXP Reds. Unfortunately they're discontinued, but I have a small stash of them.
I would try flats on one of them one day. I did try Fender flats on the '83, but didn't like them on there (though I do like them on my Squier VM Fretless).
I would try flats on one of them one day. I did try Fender flats on the '83, but didn't like them on there (though I do like them on my Squier VM Fretless).
Longtime, one Rick owner here. I have only liked two kinds of strings on my Rick, Rotosound RS66s and Rotosound RS77s.
Hope that helps.
But seriously, it's really going to depend on what you are going for. Back in the late 80s/early 90s in my little post punk/pre grunge, alternative garage pop type band (not my description, a music reviewer called us that), it was the rounds. Currently in my blues trio gig, I'd play the Rick more if I kept flats on it. And I had the flats on it for about a year but then got the urge to have "that" sound again, so put the rounds back on. If I have rounds on it, it tends to bring out an alter ego in me and my tone/playing that's lots of fun but not really suited to the music. My P and my J have flats.
So basically, in an ideal world I'd have one for flats and one for rounds. Since I only have one, I flip back and forth, love how it sounds with either. But to totally exploit what it can do, and what it's known for - rounds.
Confusing enough for you?
Hope that helps.
But seriously, it's really going to depend on what you are going for. Back in the late 80s/early 90s in my little post punk/pre grunge, alternative garage pop type band (not my description, a music reviewer called us that), it was the rounds. Currently in my blues trio gig, I'd play the Rick more if I kept flats on it. And I had the flats on it for about a year but then got the urge to have "that" sound again, so put the rounds back on. If I have rounds on it, it tends to bring out an alter ego in me and my tone/playing that's lots of fun but not really suited to the music. My P and my J have flats.
So basically, in an ideal world I'd have one for flats and one for rounds. Since I only have one, I flip back and forth, love how it sounds with either. But to totally exploit what it can do, and what it's known for - rounds.
Confusing enough for you?
I keep my 4003 strung with medium gauge D'Addario ProSteels.
Two of my Precisions are strung with flats, but I prefer the Geddy Lee/Chris Squire bite & growl of a Ric strung with rounds.
Two of my Precisions are strung with flats, but I prefer the Geddy Lee/Chris Squire bite & growl of a Ric strung with rounds.
I just decided to bring my Rick to rehearsal tomorrow, just because I'm feeling ornery.
I like flats on mine, personally, but it's a 4004L and seems to lend itself better to them. When I was a 4003 player, it was rounds all the way. I also had TI flats on my 4001.
Flats if you want a McCartney sound or rounds if you want that Chris Squier, Geddy Lee sound.
You are supposed to get two 4003’s- one with rounds, one with flats 
I use T-I Jazz Flats on my Rickenbackers and all my other basses too. I used nothing but RotoSound rounds for a lot of years, then I switched to DR coated strings to get something that lasted more than two or three gigs. I tried Jazz Flats on my other basses, really liked them and then put them on my Rics too.