Fake ?

paulcreedy · Post by **paulcreedy** » Wed Nov 03, 2004 12:20 pm

I'm getting a second 4003 in a day or so and want to tune it down to BEAD - what would be the preferred gauges of strings to retain the Ricky tone ?

I'm assuming what ever they put on the bottom four strings of the 5 string would be best ?

no idea why it decided to change the topic heading back to my previous post but there you go ....

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Wed Nov 03, 2004 12:51 pm

(darn double post edit....sorry)

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Wed Nov 03, 2004 12:51 pm

I forget the specific gauges for all the strings but I ended up settling on a .130 (B string) set (GHS Boomers....they get a bad rap sometimes but I change my strings every gig and can't justify much more of an expense). It seems to give the fullest lows out of the sets I have tried. You may like something different so you'll probably have to go through a few sets before you find the best for you.

henny · Post by **henny** » Wed Nov 03, 2004 12:58 pm

"but I change my strings every gig"

Why, man?! Strings are supposed to settle and develop character

paulcreedy · Post by **paulcreedy** » Wed Nov 03, 2004 1:19 pm

I used D'Addarios on my Yamaha - 130/100/80/65 (spare 45) so I guess I'll try them first

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Wed Nov 03, 2004 1:31 pm

"Why, man?! Strings are supposed to settle and develop character"

Well, a few reasons. I like the sound of fresh/clean strings and have yet to find a suitable way to keep strings sounding as new.
If I had gigs a few times a week I wouldn't change as often but since we (on average) have shows once or twice a month with practice weekly my strings take a beating between gigs. On my primary 4003 I tend to break the D and/or G string once they get some miles on them. I attribute this to the bridge cutting into the string over time with my aggresive playing.
Since I bought the Tux I now have a spare EADG Ric so I may not be as worried about the breakage anymore but old habits die hard.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed Nov 03, 2004 2:57 pm

I prefer .125 for a low B ... Rickenbacker strings have a .115 for a B string ... I find .130 to be too heavy ...

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 2:07 am

I use a .128 on my War***k. CARVIN STRINGS! They are very inexpensive, made by Labella, and are taper wound. Sound great to my ears.

Jeff Rath is the forum 5 string authority though, so a .125 is probably better for Ricks.

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 2:12 am

I do prefer a taper wound B string though.

jaymi · Post by **jaymi** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 2:15 am

I use slinkies by ernie ball on everything. They last a good long time. I have just put a set of .40-.95 on my 80 4003. Suddenly I feel like Geddy