Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

From what I hear TI's are among the leaders in life expectancy, and you can expect the sound to be great forever too. With the tension they appear to have, it's hard to think that you'd break one...the Fender 9050 ML's I've used are a high enough tension that I have broken strings (on my J Bass, never the 4001).

I have been thinking of getting a set for my 4001, as the RW's on it right now really rob that bass of "IT"...the 9050's gave the 4001 "IT", but they also induced too much neck relief. So TI's will likely go on in several months.

I have a set of the 9050's that were on the 4001 barely long enough to lose their initial "twang", so I might try them on the Laredo...

Still so confused about strings.

Ed, I share your confusion ...

Just wondering, other than availability issues, are there any reasons that you all choose to NOT go with "official" Ric replacement strings?

I just had to yank the pyramids off my c64 - the tailpiece lift was getting worse by the day it seemed.

I'm going to try TI Flats next.

One seller has 3 sets of Ric bass strings up on eBay right now. Price seems reasonable; if part # is correct, these are the "standard factory spec" "Round Wound NikL Bass 45-55-75-105" sets ...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7379557010&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX

Um ... make that 2 sets left ...

TI flats are lower tension than most but I had no problem adapting to them. Very even response over all strings although I did have to raise the G D and A saddles on my Lakland 5 to avoid buzzes.

John (Nyrkickazz1),

I hope I don't have the same problem when I use the Pyramid Gold's I just ordered. That would be a big bummer. The tension must have been incredible to pull up your tailpiece! I can't imagine ANY strings being able to pull off the tailpiece without something being wrong with it.

I've had Pyramid Gold strings on my 4003 since June 2002. I've not had any problems with them. When I get around to buying new strings, I'll get Pyramids again.

Hate to be a pest here, but I am wondering if there is something "lacking" with the original Ric strings, since so many of you choose to use others ... ?

The only way to get them is to mail order them, otherwise I might use them more, I liked them on your CS and on my BBR (if I ever get it).

For me, it wasn't that I thought something was lacking with the Rickenbacker strings. I just wanted flatwound strings and Rickenbacker doesn't make them now.

You can order strings from the Rickenbacker website now.

There is nothing Lacking with RIC strings. I think they are excellent strings. The only problems are that you usually can't go your local music store to buy a set and the dealers that do carry them do not discount them at all. Most of us have several basses and when you have quite a few to restring, you look for quality strings quality that are expensive. I usually use D'Addario strings.

I now use DR nickel Lo-Riders on my C64 and 4003. I use Chromes on my V63. I really like the nickel DR's because they sound and feel great, last, and don't eat the frets! That's real important to me.

...oops, I meant to say, when you have several basses to restring, you look for quality strings that are less expensive.

Chromes!