4001 and strings...

cerrem · Post by **cerrem** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 11:31 am

Just curious if anyone ever experienced getting a dead string in a set of Ric brand strings...???
My E string is just been lacking lately...I want to see if the dead string theory is a valid one with this particular set or what others have experienced...
Also... Has anyone tried the Rot-O-Sound nickel strings in the blue colored box on a 4001 ..if so, how did it work out....

Chris

ghs_boomer · Post by **ghs_boomer** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 2:33 pm

Believe it or not, i still have and use the original Ric strings from my 98 4003. After several months i boil them for ten minutes, whipe them down and they are (almost) like new.

I have gotten dead strings from rotosound but for the most part, i have had no real problems from Boomers....(shameless plug)

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:06 pm

I don't know why it happens but it seems that every string maker makes a clunker once in a while. It used to happen a whole lot more often back in the 70's and 80's. I think string makers have improved their methods and materials since then.

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:58 pm

I don't understand how one can remove a set of strings from a 4001/4003 tailpiece. I always cut mine. Wouldn't you have to straighten out the windings...and if so, isn't that going to weaken the core and eventually break the string?

revolver323 · Post by **revolver323** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 4:27 pm

I boiled and reused Rotos on all my basses until 1982. Never had a problem with breakage or in getting them out of the 4001 tailpiece.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 4:35 pm

It is not the smoothest operation but the strings can be removed without cutting them. The finish under the tail piece gets a little munged after a while though.

cerrem · Post by **cerrem** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 5:41 pm

I prefer to soak the strings in denatured Alcohol to clean them...
Chris

ghs_boomer · Post by **ghs_boomer** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 12:39 pm

"I prefer to soak the strings in denatured Alcohol to clean them...
Chris"

Thats a good idea, i never thought of that....thanks

Mike

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 5:43 pm

I agree with Jeff. Altho I dont cut my strings. It just seems easier to get new ones haha. Either let them be dead or slap a new set on. Which always depends on the bass.

I use Kensmith lights too. Maybe Ill try some rotos. I like the Kensmiths tho.

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 6:10 pm

I use Rotos. Screw the fret wear. I want noise... Clankety clank!!!

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 6:41 pm

I've always had good luck with Ric strings, Rots? Now that's another story. I started getting dead strings during the early 90's in successive sets and stopped buying them, then tried their flatwounds four or five years ago and got two dead G's in a row, haven't bought them since. The stock Ric strings last me a long time, I've had a set on a 4001 now for over two years at least and they still sound good, I don't play that bass a lot but still that's a long time for a set of round wounds.

zoomduck · Post by **zoomduck** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 6:54 pm

I like to make sure the strings are not twisted from the tail to the tuning keys . When I install them I leave the ball ends sticking out behind the tail piece and wrap the strings around the keys . Then start winding making sure the ball ends are free to spin till they connect with the tail. My new 4004 Cii sounded kind of dead . When I went to remove the RIC strings I found them all twisted . I may be sounding like a tweek but this installation process works on all my basses .

gareth · Post by **gareth** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 6:24 am

I'm using Pyramids right now on the 4001. Sound pretty good to me. I was a Rotosound user for years, but I thought I'd give the Pyramids a try. Seem OK to me. We'll see how they hold up to abuse though.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 5:52 pm

They last forever with just about with no perceptable change in the sound. I have a few basses with 2-3 year old Pyramids on them, they still sound good and crisp. I have not had a dead Pyramid yet on any of my basses, well worth the money to me.