Not loving the Rickenbacker strings

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 2:25 pm

I can't ever see Steve Cooper using flats ... that just ain't gonna happen ...

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 3:08 pm

Steve - if you already use the d'addario's then i strongly suggest you try their prosteels. Not quite as harsh sounding as rotos but close, actually they sound far more solid. They dont feel as rough... i get the 45-65-85-105 set.

I used to use rotos and gave up because every set had a duff string in it, or strings that had broken cores (not good) or covered in dirt right out of the pack.

I switched the to d'addarios, and i have bought like 13 sets of these things and EACH SET IS IDENTICAL. Never a bad string. The whole set ages slowly rather than one string suddenly dying from one sweaty gig ( again rotosounds did this)

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 5:44 pm

I used Dean Markley Blue Steels when I first switched from Rots, they had much more bottom, lasted longer and were still bright sounding. Very musical sounding string.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 7:26 pm

I'm gonna string it up with some D'Addarios tomorrow, just because I have some on hand, and see if I notice a difference. Definitely wanna try some of those Markleys too!

And sorry guys, I won't be putting flats on anytime soon

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 11:49 pm

I have to a agree with Owen, I've been using D'addarios for years and never had a bad string. Very consistant.

jon · Post by **jon** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 12:51 am

I'm amazed how many people have reported problems with Rotosounds. I used to use Rotosound steels, but switched to nickel owing to fret wear on the Jazzes (no problems on the Ric). I've never had a bad set of Rotosounds. Perhaps I've been lucky.

My CS still has the strings that it recently came to me with, which I think are Ric ones. I quite like them.

I have a set of Thomastik Jazz Rounds on my 4080. They're great for the neck, but they're a bit too smooth and wobbly for my tastes...

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 6:12 pm

Steve ... The problem may be the Ric nut is cut too high ... this can effect the sound as well as the ease of play ...

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 12:08 pm

I think I've got it sorted out now, put on a set of D'Addarios and it sounds like a Ric should sound. I'm very happy

j_gary · Post by **j_gary** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 12:19 pm

Cool Steve, which ones did you choose?

Gotta say, when I caught the band the Rick sounded great. Punched right through the mix, big fat clear tone.

ben_brown · Post by **ben_brown** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 2:35 pm

Hey Steve...Which D'Addarios did you get? Are they tight or loose?

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 4:07 pm

J. Gary, I appreciate that...and I'm really glad you came to see us!
I was just having a lot of trouble "dialing in the tone" for the first few gigs, and then when I switched basses, it was crazy because I had to re-set everything.

I put the EXL 160 set on it, came home and cranked her up to stage volume thru the new Bass Pod Pro and full stage rig, and WOW....sounded GREAT! For those interested, I am using the "Adam and Eve" amp setting with no FX and the EQ mostly at 5.
As you know, if you are not loving your stage sound, you don't play as well. So that is important to me.

Ben, they are much tighter-feeling than the stock RIC strings that were on it. Maybe the right term would be stiffer, but I did have to enlarge the nut slot oh-so-slightly on the D and G strings since they are a .105 set and that makes the D a .70 and the G a .50. I think the RIC set is a .45 and a .65.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 4:10 pm

P.S. at the same amp settings, the Thunderbird is about 1.5x as loud as the Rick and the Jazz. The Hamer 12, well, that's a beast, I dialed the volume back to about 5 to compensate.

j_gary · Post by **j_gary** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 4:42 pm

You are right Steve, that Hamer flat out pushes the sound, and fills the entire room. It was the first time I'd heard one live and I was impressed. The guy playing it may have had something to do with the effect.

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 5:06 pm

Hey Steve...the flats are going on my 4003 on Tuesday.

Will you still be my friend?!

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 7:23 pm

Chris, I've done some thing I regret too....all is forgiven.

Funny thing about the Hamer, J, is that I just have to touch it, don't play it hard at all. It'll ring all day if I let it.