4001 string recommendations

[Satellitedog]

Thanks guys,

I was moving towards the TI rounds or some flatwounds, so I'll check availability.

OK, I checked my online stores, and I have a choice of TI JR 344 roundcore, roundwound nickels going: 043 - 051 - 068 - 089 I guess these are the Jazz Rounds, or flats 43-100, or the "Superalloy" rounds in 45-105.

Circle K is not available here, and their website is down atm. so that has to wait...

I'm a fan of Newtone strings on acoustic (and electric) guitars, and they have bass product lines.

What do you think of the Platinum Series? http://www.newtonestrings.com/bass_page.htm#


Thanks again,

Satdog (Szabolcs or Szabek is okay too

[jps]

I keep reading about Newtone strings, I want to try their Heritage (I think) strings for my Martin. I have two other sets to try on it beforehand that I already have, some Martin Lifespans and a set of John Pearse Light PB strings.

I have only used the Jazz series of TI strings, both the rounds and the flats (both of which I have on two different Ricks, at the moment, my 4004 Laredo has the Jazz Flats on them), so I can not comment on the Superalloy strings. I also have TI Acousticore strings on my Rick Turner fretless bass which is the most unique sounding fretless bass of any I have owned over the decades.

I have never heard of the Newtone Platinum strings but looking at that link I'd try them with the round cores as that is what TI uses and it provides a really nice flexible string that, to me, is much nicer than hex core strings, which always feel too stiff to me.

[Satellitedog]

Yes, I think I'll ask my fave little guitar shop who stock Newtones if they have the roundcores, and ask their luthier (a pro fortunately) if he's familiar with Ricks if the trussrod/action needs tweaking after the restring.

By the way, should I be changing strings one at a time to avoid movement of the neck?

[jps]

You can take all the strings off at the same time, for short periods of time that does no harm at all. This also gives you, or your tech, the opportunity to clean everything better with the strings out of the way.

[Blackstar]

I used Rotosound Swing Bass 66 for many years on my 1976 4001, but now that it's 'vintage' and the frets have taken a beating, I use D'Addario EXL 170's. They're relatively light gauge - .045 -065 .080 .100 and have a nickel wrap, which is easier on the frets. And they stay bright for a long time!

[Satellitedog]

Thanks for the advice Jeff (hope you don't mind), I was thinking about a thorough cleaning, but that depends on whether I need to do something about the slight tail lift or not... I don't want to mess with the set up, as I really like it as is.

Thanks Blackstar, I'll check the price on the D'adds.

On an unrelated note, should I worry about spotty yellowing of the pickguard? (not too bad, small irregular specks, but visible, and it seems to have gotten slightly worse since I've had it, looks a little like nicotine discolouration)

Happy New Year!

[jps]

Usually, the standard pickguard material that RIC uses does not tend to yellow so possibly the pickguard on your bass is not original. Otherwise i would think something like Swirl-X or other scratch removers, used gently, will take off the yellowing and help clean up the whole pickguard.

Happy New Year to you, too!

[Satellitedog]

Thanks, Jeff,
I guess if there are battlescars on the finish, the original pickguard might have suffered fatal injuries at some point... All screws are present though,
and I ran through the Joey's Bass Notes "Recognizing Rick Bass Copies" article, and everything seems to be fine as far as I can tell.

I hope it was just excessive indoor smoking of the previous owner/hisbandmates, but I'll have a go at it if I find a nicotine stain/de-yellowing chemical recipe I can concoct I'm currently reading up one for general de-yellowing of plastics that comes from Bromine release.

[antonius]

The neck warped over the years on my 1975 4001. I don't know if it was due to string tension or other reasons, but I eventually had to have the fretboard levelled and refretted. So now I am cautious and so stay away from high tension strings, just in case my bass does have a weakness. I use D'Addario XL Nickel Round wound strings. I buy them individually in these gauges: 45, 60, 80, 105. This way I get the fat E string without the overall tension being too high, due to the A and D strings being slightly lighter. This also results in more even tension across the strings and is closer to the gauges of the Rickenbacker strings. Works for me

[johnallg]

The neck warped over the years on my 1975 4001. I don't know if it was due to string tension or other reasons, but I eventually had to have the fretboard levelled and refretted. So now I am cautious and so stay away from high tension strings, just in case my bass does have a weakness. I use D'Addario XL Nickel Round wound strings. I buy them individually in these gauges: 45, 60, 80, 105. This way I get the fat E string without the overall tension being too high, due to the A and D strings being slightly lighter. This also results in more even tension across the strings and is closer to the gauges of the Rickenbacker strings. Works for me

Anthony, check out Joshua's latest thread on strings. You will be happy.

viewtopic.php?f=98&t=407920

[antonius]

Thanks John, I must have missed that post due to Christmas keeping me away from the forum for a day or two. I'll be asking my usual UK sellers if they intend to stock this set. Should work out a little bit cheaper than buying singles...

[Satellitedog]

Please let me know if any UK sellers start stocking that balanced set.

Thanks!

SD