Original 1982 String Gauges?

[Bighouse]

What’s the significance of a “red box”?

Rickenbacker strings used to come in red boxes instead of plastic envelopes as most strings do now. Here is a picture of a guitar strings box.
Rickenbacker Red String Box.jpg

I see. I did not know this. Now the name and the appearance of the envelope sleeve really does say "We made this to replace the original Rickenbacker strings". Thanks for the education!

[iiipopes]

What’s the significance of a “red box”?

Rickenbacker strings used to come in red boxes instead of plastic envelopes as most strings do now. Here is a picture of a guitar strings box.
Rickenbacker Red String Box.jpg

I see. I did not know this. Now the name and the appearance of the envelope sleeve really does say "We made this to replace the original Rickenbacker strings". Thanks for the education!

You're welcome. Rock on!

[henry_the_horse]

When I purchased my 4001 new, back in 1988 (it was made in
1982), it came with ground rounds
[...]
Does anyone know what the string gauges were for a 4001 made in
1982?

Had you bought the 4001 in 1982 it would have been strung with
set 4440. But if you bought it in 1988 it would have been strung
with sets 444 or 555.

Code: Select all

===============================================================
Year  Model              1      2      3      4      Wd.  Alloy
===============================================================
1982  Rickenbacker 4440  0.045  0.056  0.077  0.103  F    430
1986  Rickenbacker 444   0.040  0.054  0.076  0.096  G    430
1986  Rickenbacker 555   0.044  0.058  0.080  0.102  G    430
===============================================================

This is because from 1957-1981 Rickenbacker flatwound strings
were made by Maxima Meinel GmbH in Gerestried, Germany. However,
in 1981 Erhard Max Meinel, the owner, died. Rickenbacker decided
then to change OEM for strings and newer sets were introduced,
like sets 444 and 555.


Rickenbacker 1986 Price List showing sets 444 and 555.


Rickenbacker 1977 Price List showing set 4440.


Pages 2 and 3 of the 1977 price list showing individual gauges.

[iiipopes]

Hmmm. The gauges shown for the compressed rounds sets 444 and 555 look suspiciously like GHS Pressurewound. Hmmm.

L7200 SETS - PRESSUREWOUND™ - Light (37.25" winding) 040-096 PWB40 PWB54 PWB76 PWB96
ML7200 SETS - PRESSUREWOUND™ - Medium Light (37.25" winding) 044-102 PWB44 PWB58 PWB80 PWB102