What strings did Paul McCartney use on his Rickenbacker Bass?

[blower_bass2321]

Hello!
I’m a big fan of The Beatles, Wings, and especially Paul McCartney. However, I would like to know what strings he uses for his Rickenbacker bass. I have seen some conflicting answers but mainly Rotosounds we’re the biggest search I got. I would like to know what type/gauge. If you have any info, please respond. Thanks!

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

The Rickenbacker bass would have come with Maxima flatwounds which were probably in place during most of the Beatles period. Pictures from the 1969 Abbey Road sessions show that he had Rotosound Tru Bass nylon tapewounds on his Rickenbacker which were also seen on his Hofner bass during the Let It Be sessions earlier that year. These string stayed on the Rickenbacker into the early 70s. After that, it's anyone's guess as Paul was not particular about strings, but he definitely stuck with flatwounds until switching to the Yamaha BB-1200 he acquired prior to the final Wings album and tour. It's also interesting to note that he used both pickups on the Rickenbacker during the 70s but favored using only the neck pickup in the 60s.

- Steve

 

[blower_bass2321]

The Rickenbacker bass would have come with Maxima flatwounds which were probably in place during most of the Beatles period. Pictures from the 1969 Abbey Road sessions show that he had Rotosound Tru Bass nylon tapewounds on his Rickenbacker which were also seen on his Hofner bass during the Let It Be sessions earlier that year. These string stayed on the Rickenbacker into the early 70s. After that, it's anyone's guess as Paul was not particular about strings, but he definitely stuck with flatwounds until switching to the Yamaha BB-1200 he acquired prior to the final Wings album and tour. It's also interesting to note that he used both pickups on the Rickenbacker during the 70s but favored using only the neck pickup in the 60s.

- Steve

Interesting. Do you know how much that would cost?

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

Interesting. Do you know how much that would cost?

Rotosound Tru Bass strings are made in England. They are easy to find and cost about $35 a set. Maxima (Optima) strings are made in Germany. They are not easy to find, cots about twice as much, and I'm not sure if they are the same strings they made for Rickenbacker in the 60s.

It seems like most Rickenbacker players looking for a vintage sound opt for a light gauge flatwound like La Bella Low Tension Flats or Thomastik Jazz Flats, the latter being quite expensive.

- Steve

 

[blower_bass2321]

Rotosound Tru Bass strings are made in England. They are easy to find and cost about $35 a set. Maxima (Optima) strings are made in Germany. They are not easy to find and I'm not sure if they are the same string they made for Rickenbacker in the 60s.

It seems like most Rickenbacker players looking for a vintage sound opt for a light gauge flatwound like La Bella Low Tension Flats or Thomastik Jazz Flats, the latter being quite expensive.

- Steve

Thanks! I probably go with the Rotosounds. Much appreciated

 

[GIBrat51]

Optima acquired the old Maxima company... quite a while ago. Because a significant number of Rick owners - like, say, me for one - have been Jonesing for years about getting back the original Rick flatwound sound; and because of the German penchant for never throwing documents away, Optima had the specs for those original flats in a handy file. So... I can't say that the Optima RB's are exact clones of the original Maxima flats, but... my memory says they're pretty damn close to the flats that were on the Rick I learned to play bass on - in 1968. Others who've played the RB's agree...

 

[iiipopes]

Please do NOT use Rotos. Roto Tru-Bass bass strings were used by Sir Macca on one of his Hofners, but not his Rickenbacker. You will need to re-cut your nut if you use Roto Tru-Bass (black nylon). As GIBrat51 says, the closest is the Optima RB (get it?) set. I have a set and I concur. They have the even tone. La Bellas on a Rickenbacker have ping and fundamental, but they don't bring out the signature Rickenbacker tone. Yes, they are expensive. Yes, they are worth it if the '60's - '70's Rickenbacker 4001 tone is what you're after.

https://optima-strings.com/shop/de/...l-e-bass-rb-flatwound-strings-satz-long-scale

Edit: OK, one picture was found with Rotos on Sir Macca's 4001. But I still stand by my post: unless you want to cut a new nut for the larger diameter Rotos so the nylon wrap is not pinched, causing all sorts of issues, please don't use Rotos on any bass with a regular nut. Moreover, the G string is so tight you wonder if it is going to break before it gets to pitch. I know. I have used them on other basses. Please use the Optima RB's instead for the old-school tone.

 

[michael_t]

https://optima-strings.com/shop/de/...l-e-bass-rb-flatwound-strings-satz-long-scale

If the OP is based in the US, they're available at Strings By Mail.

Optima 4440.L RB Flatwound Electric Bass Guitar Strings 45-100

 

[iiipopes]

If the OP is based in the US, they're available at Strings By Mail.

Optima 4440.L RB Flatwound Electric Bass Guitar Strings 45-100

And other places as well. Google brought up several retail vendors. Indeed.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Please do NOT use Rotos. Roto Tru-Bass bass strings were used by Sir Macca on one of his Hofners, but not his Rickenbacker.

...Except when they were?

Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum • View topic - McCartney Used Tapewounds?

 

[micguy]

Rickenbacker used to tell you to never use rounds on their basses, because of "the extra tension". That's absurd - there may be reasons not to use rounds (fret wear, for one), but rounds of the same gauge have less tension that flats. I'm not sure why Rickenbacker said that Maybe they believed it?) , but I think it made folks gun shy about changing to different strings on Rics. As a result many folks with Rics in the early years used the stock strings - Chris Squire being the obvious exception.

 

[dangevans]

Paul would probably tell you: "Long shiny ones!"

 

[GodsLove66]

Paul would probably tell you: "Long shiny ones!"

Sounds more like something John (Lennon obviously) would say

 

[GodsLove66]

On similar note, what strings do y'all think he used in the Wings Years? I somehow just assumed he used LaBellas.

 

[DarkStar90]

Rickenbacker used to tell you to never use rounds on their basses, because of "the extra tension". That's absurd - there may be reasons not to use rounds (fret wear, for one), but rounds of the same gauge have less tension that flats. I'm not sure why Rickenbacker said that Maybe they believed it?) , but I think it made folks gun shy about changing to different strings on Rics. As a result many folks with Rics in the early years used the stock strings - Chris Squire being the obvious exception.

I thought they said that because rounds ate the old frets like a knife through butter.

 

[iiipopes]

...Except when they were?
View attachment 4467826

Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum • View topic - McCartney Used Tapewounds?

OK. I was unfamiliar with this picture. But my view stands - unless you want to cut a new nut.

 

[MIMike]

Paul would probably tell you: "Long shiny ones!"

Sounds more like something John (Lennon obviously) would say

I read an article in a guitar magazine many years ago (probably 35 or more) that interviewed several famous bass players. It asked about their gear preferences and all the things we TB’ers geek over. I distinctly remember the interview with Paul and they asked what stings he used. He said; I don’t know they come in a little package and that’s what I use.

That’s one of the things I’ve always loved about Paul…everything seems to be there to serve the music. Songwriting is the most important and all the other things are just tools.

 

[Pet Sounds]

Sounds more like something John (Lennon obviously) would say

Paul said they were "long, shiny ones" in a Bass Player magazine interview many years ago.

 

[SC Bassboy]

This won't relate to the Ricky specific question but I remember reading an article about The Beatles many, many years ago detailing everything about Paul's equipment in the early years. On his Hofner he was using Pyramid Gold bass strings. Before that, and remember this was in the EARLY years of electric bass guitars when strings weren't readily available, the article said he would go to piano shops and buy piano wire.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

The Rickenbacker bass would have come with Maxima flatwounds which were probably in place during most of the Beatles period. Pictures from the 1969 Abbey Road sessions show that he had Rotosound Tru Bass nylon tapewounds on his Rickenbacker which were also seen on his Hofner bass during the Let It Be sessions earlier that year. These string stayed on the Rickenbacker into the early 70s. After that, it's anyone's guess as Paul was not particular about strings, but he definitely stuck with flatwounds until switching to the Yamaha BB-1200 he acquired prior to the final Wings album and tour. It's also interesting to note that he used both pickups on the Rickenbacker during the 70s but favored using only the neck pickup in the 60s.

- Steve

When I bought my 4001 back in the 70’s, it came with dire warnings from Rickenbacker about using non-Rickenbacker brand strings causing your bass to disintegrate, your dog would start biting you, and your wife would run off with the drummer. They had me buffalo’d until I couldn’t find them where I was living (no Amazon back in the mid 70’s) and put on a set of GHS Baas Boomers. I haven’t bought a set of flats since.