Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'm going to try some of those, thanks.

I have never tried Pyramids and I have my first set of TIs waiting for my '62 Jazz Bass, but yes the Chromes are D'Addarios. Try them I think you will like them.

Owen,

I played Rotosound RS66's on my old 4001MG,and had to have the frets filed smooth every few months. These strings are almost pure iron in content and can wear the frets down very quickly.
I would recommend using nickel-not stainless steel if you're going to use rounds. On the other hand, if you choose to go with flats, try Rotosound 77 Jazz Bass Flats. D'Addario Chromes are also very nice strings. I would recommend both.

Jeffry Scott, try the Pyramids if you get a chance, I just got my second set and they are great for a 4003, they are expensive, but after a few hours they sound unbelievable and they feel great, the TI's are nice too but very light gauge and very bright. The Pyramids are very thick and meaty sounding, lots of nice mids, very balanced sound.

Randy, Ive used ernie ball stainless slinky's on my 4003 since i got it in december. Whilst not rotos, they are basically the same thing. The bass is 13 years old and very played and the frets are fine. I must played played it for hundreds of hours and the frets are fine. I use roto's now

In my experience fret buzz is what ruins the frets because that buzz is coming from the string scraping the fret in front of the one that is being pressed down. I just about ruined a 66 Jazz neck from action that was too low. I also had a heavy hand in those days. The bass would play great when I was relaxed in my home, but when I got out and played in the clubs I played about ten times harder and ruined the frets.

Bob,
One of these days I'll try the Pyramids. Expense is not a problem as the only way to try strings is to buy them, others opinions can only go so far. As far as fret wear, that does very much depend on how the instrument is played. Recently I have been trying to play with a lighter touch and turn up the amp, but old habits are certainly hard to break, especially once on stage.

yes, they certainly are, I play so much better when I relax and play lightly.

Owen,
I've used Ernie Ball Slinky rounds on my Jazz Bass before, but they were nickel instead of stainless steel. They sound fine, but my Jazz Bass is an older one that had a lot of fret wear on it when I bought it,so to save the frets I switched to the Roto flats. They work great on all my basses. Especially on my Rickenbacker 4001V63 they really work well. Fret wear is a non issue for me now. But each player should use what they feel works best for them, whether it be flats or rounds.