Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

D'addario Nickel XL round wound 105-80-60-45, bought as singles. The thinner A and D strings make for even tension between the strings, and the overall tension isn't too great for my once problematical (was warped but now levelled) 1975 4001 neck. I just find these are fairly versatile strings for playing a variety of styles requiring different tone. They last a while and they are good value for money here in the UK.

Mark,

I have heard great things about the DR's and I love the tone on your audio clips. I'd love to give them a try and I may on the 4002 project bass. When I had my Blackstar done by Paul W. he strung her with Roto 66's, They sounded great and I really thought I'd keep them on her but I ended swapping then out in short order because I have really gotten use to the feel of the balanced tension strings. I did not think I'd notice but the feel was night and day.

I've been meaning to do some work to my 73 4001, replace the non scooped treble surround with a scooped new style. Since I need to pull the strings off anyway since it has been a year and a half, I'll tell you what, I'll give the sunbeams a whirl and let you know how I do with them.

Sepp

DR Hi-Beams on my 4003 and 4003S...TI flats on my 4001v63...

.
TI JF344 flats on my 1980 4001.
So far I love 'em.
Really floppy feel took a bit of getting used to though!

Greg

TI JF344 flats

Oz_Greg wrote:.
TI JF344 flats on my 1980 4001.
So far I love 'em.
Really floppy feel took a bit of getting used to though!

Greg

The Jazz Rounds I have on my 4001 would make you feel like the Jazz Flats are pretty stiff. Once you get used to them and your playing becomes more fluid you may find "normal" strings to feel like bridge cables.

disaster suggestion.... freeze some water in jugs or freezer bags (leave room for expansion). then you can keep in freezer and move to frig then use as drinking water if needed.

2010 4003: Circle K balanced round wounds (.106, .079, .059, .043).

2010 4001C64: TI JF344 flats. When (if!?) these eventually wear out, I'll probably swap them out for the Optima 4099 flats

A bit of variety:

'72/3 4001 Frankenrick: TI Jazz flats;
'74 4000: GHS Boomers 45-105;
'74 4001: Ernie Ball Extra Slinky Nickelwounds;
'00 V63: GHS Boomers 45-105.

The 4000 had new rods made up for it and copes with the tension from the Boomers, as does the V63. The two 4001s need a bit more TLC.

The GHS Boomers have worked well for me, too. And usually they're pretty cheap.

D'Addario EXL 220. I like the gauge, feel, sound, and price.

I have D'Addario Chromes on my '08 4004Cii and '75 4001FL.
Everything else has the D'Addario EXL-170 set, except the five stringers, having the D'Addario EXL-170-5 set.
Got off the Rotosound bandwagon a very long time ago, when I had several sets in a row with bad E and A strings. I've never looked back.

ram wrote:disaster suggestion.... freeze some water in jugs or freezer bags (leave room for expansion). then you can keep in freezer and move to frig then use as drinking water if needed.

Hope all of you (and all of your Rickenbackers) on the East Coast come through this storm safely! I'm on the other coast (where we have earthquakes instead), so I'm not facing the storm, but I'm a little worried about my sister in upstate NY....

Oh, we were talking about strings! RS66LD on my 4001, that's the sound I bought it for. I'm very lucky my skin chemistry doesn't attack them badly, but I still wish they would sound like new for longer!

Optima 4099s on all except for my 68 which gets TI JF 344s.

'74 4001 has TI Jazz flats
'09 C64S has the original Ric strings
'12 4004Cii has Chromes Flats.

I am thinking about changing the Chromes out as they are a bit darker than I would like.