I noticed this question has been asked but I do not see it ever really clearly being answered. Perhaps I simply have missed the thread that actually did answer, if so please excuse the repetition.

So, what strings were standard on the 4001 bass, particularly in the 70s ~ 1980, prior to the 4003 roundwound era? Were they 45 55 75 105 flats; 45 65 80 100 flats; 40 60 80 100 flats; 40 60 75 95 flats; 40 50 75 90 flats, etc.?

Right now I use 45 55 75 105 roundwound on my ’61 Hagstrom Coronado IV and 2012 Fender American Standard Precision. However, I just picked up a 4001 (April 1980) in excellent condition, perfectly straight neck, good frets, no mods (although I ordered the treble pot from RIC for the push/pull cap bypass 4003 mod) .

Anyway, does anyone know what came on the 4001 new from the factory?

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'80 Rickenbacker 4001 (w/ treble tone pot, cap by-pass mod. otherwise, original)
'64 Hagstrom Coronado IV (completely original)
'12 Fender American Standard Precision

The 4001 came with a set of flatwound strings that were specially made for it. I don't remember the stock number or string gauges, but I remember the red box from buying replacement sets and the overall construction of them made the set low tension, unlike most flatwound strings that are usually higher tension than round wound strings.
These days, the set that's available that's closest to the original is Thomastik Infeld JF-344 set. Very similar construction, tension and tone.

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Throw that piece of firewood where it belongs and get yourself a Rickenbacker!

I believe they were Maxima strings.

They were strung with our standard #4440 string set with .040, .050, .077, and .112 gauging. This was a double, compound flat-wound set with low tension, made by Maxima in Germany.

Hi LittleC,
MAXIMA strings is now known as OPTIMA here in Germany and still make Flatwound Chrome Nickel strings with 45 60 80 100 Gauge.
Here's a link to the page
http://www.musiksaiten-optima.de/dynasi ... smid=60752
I should think they would be available where you are.
Good luck with your search.

I only wish these were like the originals. I hear they're not bad and similar to the Thomastik Infeld strings but the one made by the original Maxima company had a very different feel to them. My personal opinion is that it had to do mainly with a unique alloy that probably went to the grave with the owner.

Thanks for the answers, all.

Wow, (77 &) 112 on the bottom!

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'80 Rickenbacker 4001 (w/ treble tone pot, cap by-pass mod. otherwise, original)
'64 Hagstrom Coronado IV (completely original)
'12 Fender American Standard Precision