Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hey Jeff, what is the nut and bridge spacing on your 10-string Dean? Do they seem far enough apart to you?

Sorry Kevin!

Joseph, what make of strings do you use and do you buy sets or individuals? One of the issues I had with mine was that I had trouble getting strings I liked (I like 40-95 Rotos but couldn't find separate octave strings). When I get my next one (ever the optimist!) I wanna be prepared.....

Shaun, I use Ken Smith strings. The cool thing is you can buy them in sets either direct from Ken Smith or Just Strings.Com. I believe it's their stainless steel Master Series. The octave strings are their piccalo set. I like using a lighter fundemental and heavier octave, seems to be less stress on the neck, easier to finger and bend strings, truer response hitting the octave string just as much as the fundemental. The octave G string in the Ken Smith set is an 18, I normally swap it out for a 15.

I know I wasn't asked but I use the Ken Smith Burners. Piccolo 20-50 and Light 40-100. I tried the lighter gauges but they just tore up the fingers on my right hand......so that may be something to consider if you don't use a pick and you get aggressive.

Pekka.....the only issues I have that you mentioned concerns with is the 4 saddle bridge. The intonation is fine for the pairs except for the E strings. I just set it for the low E and it really hasn't been an issue at all. I tend to run an overdriven tone and most of what I play is pretty fast paced so the slight intonation issue on the octave strings just gets blended in with my wall of noise .

Also I agree that the 4008 string configuration is better if you are a pick player but it is a problem for me since I'm a finger plucker. I've played other 8 strings with the octave on top and with my playing style I almost never strike the octave string unless I am playing something slow and concentrate. With the octave below on my s8 it is more natural for me to strike them both playing the way I do on my 4 stringers.

Thanks for the tips on strings guys. If I ever manage to get hold of another I'll look into the Ken Smith strings.

With regards to string configuration, although I generally use a pick I tend to use more upstrokes than down (so in some ways I play more like a fingerstyle player) and I must admit that on the higher strings at least I found the configuration a bit peculiar. But then having played the Dean 8 the other day I found that even more peculiar so I guess it's just getting used to it, which I pretty much did over the time I had it...

Brian, does 4008 (the prototype with the wavy headstock) have the "normal" string configuration, i.e. octaves on top?

The prototype 8 string basses Chris Squire and John Entwistle owned with wavy headstock both had the current "reverse" 4003/s8 string configuration

yes, octaves on the "bottom"

4008 has octaves on the "top"