Need new type of string.

[Hawkins77]

Hi all,

I've been using the Rotosound RS 66LD srings on my 4001 C64 since I got it about 8 months ago. I've read all the string posts that I can find here and have learned about the different types. I'm having the same problem most have with the stainless rounds losing their crisp tone in about a day of use. I'm also concerned about fret ware.

I'd like to stay with a round wound string perhaps with a nickel winding that will stay crisp at least a few weeks! I've used Elixers on my acoustic gtrs and they last a long time but don't seem to ring like a naked string...at least to my ears.

The Rotos on the Rick are 45 65 80 105 and she loves them...perfect straight neck with minimal rod tension.

Perhaps one of you 4001 experts can suggest a solution?

Thanks!

DanA

[DriftSpace]

I've been using DR Jonas Hellborg strings on my 4003, and the tone is great; Hellborg was going for grand piano clarity in the design.

Hellborg's theory is that a single wrap -- as opposed to the usual double wrap -- focuses the fundamental tones more, which echos the mode of thinking behind piano wire manufacture. Some people find the feel of a single wrap to be an adjustment, but I didn't find it to be that big of a deal; the tone improvement was worth any minor (and very temporary, if there was any) discomfort. They've been on for several months now, and still sound great.

Considering that this is the only brand offering single-wrap, pure nickel bass strings: I'll bet you've not felt or heard anything like them before. The only potential drawback is that they are only available in 40-60-80-100, which may be too light for some.

[Michael4bass]

A good substitute for Rotos is the GHS Super Steels. Similar look and feel, plus they last longer than Rotos. I like the ML5000, they're like the original Rotos from the 60s - 70s, before they changed to gauges to the standard 45-105, which if you prefer those, then try the CM5000.

Bassically, Michael

[spongebob]

I swear by the Ric brand strings.

Used to use D'addario's for years, but switched to these last year. Super sounding strings with an excellent lifespan.

[woodyng]

Sean-i think a set of those Hellborg DR's are in my future. Pure nickel,and in the gauge i prefer..plus i really like DR strings in general,been using the Sunbeams for the last 7-8 years.
Dan-i highly recommend Kalium balanced sets,too,and they last a long time in my experience.

[Hawkins77]

Thanks guys,

It's amazing how many different string sets there are. There's no way I would have the money and time to check them all out. My 4001 is the only bass I have at the moment so it gets a real workout during the week. To be honest it's just so cool that I hate to use it that much! I need to invest in another Bass so I don't wear down the frets so fast. That's why I'm concidering Nickel wrap strings but as far as I know there's nothing like the stainless for that Squire sound.

I'm checking out the strings you mentioned...putting the order in on Monday.

Thanks again!

Dan A

[Gilmourisgod]

Are they using the same fret wire on the 4003? Rotosounds chewed up the frets on my old 4001 in about three years, my G&L has had roundwound stainless on it for 25 years and shows minimal fret wear, medium jumbo stainless frets rule in the longevity department. Other than being easier to scrape laquer off of during factory finish, I never understood why they stuck with the small relatively soft frets all these years. If you ever have to refret, maybe swap them out for something more durable. I had the same experience with Rotosounds, sound great for a week and then go dead.

[DriftSpace]

Sean-i think a set of those Hellborg DR's are in my future. Pure nickel,and in the gauge i prefer..plus i really like DR strings in general,been using the Sunbeams for the last 7-8 years.

Let me know what you think when you get them on, Woody.
My tech absolutely hated them, but they're my new favorite round-wounds, and have been for the last year or so.

[T28]

Why did your tech hate them?

[DriftSpace]

Why did your tech hate them?

He couldn't really articulate it, which was why I didn't take it too seriously. He swore that putting them on the Rickenbacker -- coupled with the usual tech gripes about working on RIC instruments -- made for an extra-difficult set-up, but it plays pretty well after the fact, and he didn't have any specific reasons. The DR Hellborg's are pretty unique as far as fretted instrument strings go, so I'm sure there was a degree of newness which may have put him off.

Short answer: couldn't really tell you.

[cassius987]

Round core strings in general really vary in their behavior. Maybe he had a bad experience. I have certainly seen some major duds from DR in the past, but when they get it right it is pretty great.

[Badanovski]

I tried the Hellborg strings a few years back. They have a thicker core wire & thicker wrap wire so they have more tension than their guage would suggest. While I liked them, I didn't think they were twice the price of my normal strings better.

[Hawkins77]

I would think that other than clogging the windings with organic gunk, the one thing that would make a roundwound string go dead would be loose windings. I think this starts as soon as the string is pulled tight on the gtr. I really have no idea if this is true but I wonder how a string would sound if the winding was somehow bonded to the core wire so it could not be "unwound" so to speak?

Just thinking out loud....

Dan A

[jps]

...if the winding was somehow bonded to the core wire so it could not be "unwound" so to speak?

Just thinking out loud....

Dan A

That would make for an awfully stiff string, I'd think.

[Blackstar]

I used Rotosound RS 66 LD on my '76 4001 for decades and on my other basses too. The frets on my 4001 have flat spots in several places - not surprising maybe given its age - but I did switch to D'Addario XL 170s on it a few years ago. They have a lot of 'zing' and stay bright for a long time. However, lately I've been thinking they're a bit light and I might switch to GHS Bass Boomers on the 4001. I use the Bass Boomers M 3045: 45 65 85 105 on all my other basses (Blackstar, Jazz Bass, Precision Bass). They're bright and the nickel wrap is easier on my fingers and frets. Flea and Nate Mendel (Foo Fighters) use them, so I'm in good company.