String Gauges

[ricnbacker]

Rickenbacker Strings are

45-55-75-105

All I see in other manufacturers is

45-65-80-105

50-70-85-105

45-65-85-105

Whats up with that and will the gauge difference be a factor on a '01 4003?

also are Ric Strings Stainless or Nickle?

thanks

[dog]

Any of the gauges you mention will be fine. Many players do not use the stock gauges.

They are nickel.

[cassius987]

TIs and other strings are similar to RIC gauges. DR makes strings smaller than average for many sets too.

[ricnbacker]

thanks

[DanJ]

So Rickenbacker err a bit on the lighter side from the factory? What brands of bass strings come prepackaged in Rick's specification (Forgive my ignorance, but what exactly are TI's?)?

FWIW I use D'Addario XL's on all my basses, .040 - .095. My action is set as low as I can get it, and the neck dead straight. This is how I have my '74 4000 set up, and it plays/sounds great. I play both pick and finger style with a medium to soft attack.

Hope that helps...

[rickenbrother]

So Rickenbacker err a bit on the lighter side from the factory? What brands of bass strings come prepackaged in Rick's specification (Forgive my ignorance, but what exactly are TI's?)?

TI's are Thomastik-Infeld strings.
Thomastik-Infeld

Pick Of The Ricks carries a set of Kurt Mangan strings which has the same gauge as the RIC bass strings.

[ricnbacker]

3 months later and I just got around to ordering my Strings...

I ordered Rotosound swing bass 66,45-65-80-105


If I am not msitaken these strings were made for Entwhisle back in the day??

anyway, why are they sold as long scale and are these right for a 2001 4003?


thanks

[rickenbrother]

I think John Entwistle had a lot to do with the development of the Rotosound Swing Bass roundwound set.

Long scale is correct for a 4003.

[cassius987]

I have come to follow the teachings of Gary Willis. I now prefer larger gauges (not huge, just more along the moderate 45-65-85-105 line and a bit above). The extra tensions allows you to actually be more subtle in your playing, which is the opposite of what I expected.

Just tossing that in the mix... I may get my nut slotted to reflect my new preference.

[jps]

I have come to follow the teachings of Gary Willis. I now prefer larger gauges (not huge, just more along the moderate 45-65-85-105 line and a bit above). The extra tensions allows you to actually be more subtle in your playing, which is the opposite of what I expected.

Just tossing that in the mix... I may get my nut slotted to reflect my new preference.

I played Gary's bass after seeing Tribal Tech the second time; his action was so low I could barely play it!

[ricnbacker]

I think John Entwistle had a lot to do with the development of the Rotosound Swing Bass roundwound set.

Long scale is correct for a 4003.

Thanks Joey

[cassius987]

I have come to follow the teachings of Gary Willis. I now prefer larger gauges (not huge, just more along the moderate 45-65-85-105 line and a bit above). The extra tensions allows you to actually be more subtle in your playing, which is the opposite of what I expected.

Just tossing that in the mix... I may get my nut slotted to reflect my new preference.

I played Gary's bass after seeing Tribal Tech the second time; his action was so low I could barely play it!

His book 101 Tips for Bass Guitar (or something like that) has several advanced tips and ideas about attaining low action so apparently he really cares about it.

I am really impressed at his attention to detail.

[riotriot]

What's the biggest gauge size a early 70ies Ric can handle without damaging the neck?!

[rickenbrother]

Hi Ronny, welcome to the forum.

It would be hard to pick an exact heaviest gauge limit for an early '70's 4001 since every piece of wood although the same type, varies somewhat. It also depends on the type of string and it's overall construction.

[riotriot]

Ok, but under normal conditions do you think a old 4001 could handle for instance 050-070-095-115 or even 065-080-105-130?