Not loving the Rickenbacker strings

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 5:21 pm

Well, as most of you know, I just got a 4003BBR, which I love, except I think it sounds a little "mushy", I'm thinking it might be the string set on it. It doesn't have the bright piano sound I am looking for. The strings seem to be lower tension (more bendy) than what I usually use. I left them on because I loved the ones on Mike Chrisom's CS...but this one isn't getting the same sound.

I usually use D'Addario EXL 170 strings on my other basses...any other recommendations that I might not be thinking of (besides Rotos, I swore those off) that might sound good on the newer Ricks?

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 5:29 pm

I love the (now sadly discontinued) D'Addario Slowounds. They say that the EXLs are supposed to be the same, but they're not. The EXLs are a close second though.
I have a stash of Slowounds I accumulated off of eBay.

I'm actually taking my 4003 in next week to (gasp!) put a set of flats on there.

God help me....

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 5:30 pm

Chris, say it isn't so!

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 5:31 pm

I know! Crazy isn't it?! I just want to try it. I hafta hear the unholy brew of Motown Thump & Proggy Clank!

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 5:37 pm

Chris Squire, Geddy Lee, John Entwhistle, Jean-Jacques Burnel, they all used Rotosound strings for a reason... Ring and clank. I wouldn't use anything else!

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 5:40 pm

Like Steve, I actually backed off of the Roto 66s too. A lot of inconsistency with the strings, & as I get older I'm wanting a warmer tone. I've been using nickel exclusively on my Ricks for sometime now.

Except for my 3001 - she's rockin' the Rotos as we speak!

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 5:53 pm

Yeah, some of the nickel sets are pretty good too. Im nearly 42, and I still want the clanging sound. I never get sick of hearing it. I've also had a few inconsistent sets of Roto 66's. I put it down to having a bit of a twist in the strings when I've put them on. It's easy to do too.
Since I've made sure I get no twist, all the sets I've got have been A1.....

ben_brown · Post by **ben_brown** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 5:58 pm

I just got my 4003 FG and was wondering if I put a set of same gauge Rotosound strings on it will I have to readjust the truss rod?

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 5:58 pm

nickel round wound strings rule ...

as per the new 4003 ... I believe that 4003 necks are overdesigned ... therefore high tensioned fat strings sound good on a 4003 ... also compression and distortion sound good on a 4003 ... your new pod should help there ... get a .105 E string set ...

D'addario and DR strings are usually good ...

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 5:59 pm

I like my Ken Smiths. I think I maybe alone there tho. Oh well.

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 6:05 pm

I would go with Rotosound RS66's, except for three reasons:

1. Inconsistent quality control
2. VERY rough feel
3. They eat frets

They sound amazing, but they're just too harsh-feeling and damaging for me, and I don't want to risk getting dead strings out of the package (which happened to me before). I've been sold on compressed rounds ever since I tried the Rotosound RS55 compressed steels, and now use DR Hi-beams because they're basically the RS55s but they last forever.

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 6:20 pm

"I just got my 4003 FG and was wondering if I put a set of same gauge Rotosound strings on it will I have to readjust the truss rod?"

Ben - on my late 2004 when I swapped the RIC strings that came on it for the Rotos, I needed to tighten the truss rods a tad to keep the neck flat. Only took between 1/8 and 1/4 turn to get there.

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 6:35 pm

Should be OK with same gauge strings. Shouldn't need to adjust the truss rod. I had to keep checking the rods 'cos they take a while to 'settle in'. The bass was new though....
Yeah Rotos are rough on fingers and frets, but the sound is excellent!!!

ben_brown · Post by **ben_brown** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 6:41 pm

What is the next best thing to use other than Rotos that are easier on the frets?

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 7:02 pm

DR Hi-beams. Or, actually, DR Lo-Rider Steels are pretty awesome too. The difference is mostly in stiffness (the lo-riders are stiffer and thus get a more deep growl rather while the hi-beams are loose and aggressively snappy). DRs also last for a really really long time. The thing is, nothing sounds like a Rotosound string, so you've really gotta know like what sound and feel you want. It took me a while to find the type and brand of strings that I liked the best. You might want to do some experimentation.