Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

rickfan60 wrote:

rickenbrother wrote: I used Rotosound until about '82 when I got several sets that had E and A strings that I was unhappy with. .

That is what did it for me - too many false E and A strings. Roto QC was pretty bad at the time. I have not tried them since.

One of the two sets I got in '05 had the wrong length (short scale) D string. It took about 3 weeks but I got a replacement right from Rotosound. My ***** is the short lifespan of the tone.

incubus2432 wrote:I love the sound of flats on 4004 models. I've tried LaBella Deep Talkin' Flats, Pyramids and D'Addario Chromes. i like 'em all but they each have slightly different character......I've settled on the Chromes mostly for price/availability. They have great fundamental tone and retain their brightness. I was a die hard rounds user for years but got sick of replacing my strings after every gig since they were dead/lifeless. Not an issue with the flats. With a few amp tweaks and some technique adjustments my tone is as good or better than it was with the rounds but now it is consistent. Just my worthless opinion.

I have Chromes on my 4004C and it sounds really good. Next project is to make it a rounds strung BEAD bass though. I was going to do it to my V63, but sense ruled. I need nut files..... and Christmas is past and I had no suggestions! What a dope!!

Hey, Brian, I see by your avatar you finally made it to the Dentist!

johnallg wrote: Next project is to make it a rounds strung BEAD bass though.

Hmm, I'm thinking of doing this with an MIJ J-bass, using the bottom end of a TI Jazz Flats 5er set. I might just be able to avoid filing the nut....

antipodean wrote:

johnallg wrote: Next project is to make it a rounds strung BEAD bass though.

Hmm, I'm thinking of doing this with an MIJ J-bass, using the bottom end of a TI Jazz Flats 5er set. I might just be able to avoid filing the nut....

I have a spare nut I will open up. I should have had the kids go together and get me the files for Christmas.... I'm just too cheap to spend that kind of bucks for something I'll probably use once or twice.

Only Ric strings for me....they sound great...last a long time.....no monkeying with intonation.... but I play a 4003 .... fenbass

I have been really liking the Ric OEM strings, too....

johnallg wrote:I tried two sets of the Rotos as the first strings I bought for my then new 2004 4003. I got about a week of use out of them before they were dead. I wash and dry my hands before practicing (pure soap, no additives), and also wipe down after, so sloppy care was not an issue. I changed to the D'Addario sets after many recommendations here and over at the RIC forum. Rotos sound great new but I am not getting free strings via endorsement like Mr. Squire!

I suspect it has something to do with different folks body and sweat chemistry.
I can kill a set of D'addarios in a fairly short period of time but the rotosounds last ages for me. Horses for courses I guess...
There are some made in korea strings (smallish ball ends and red silk winding) that seem to last for ages too. They feel like rotosounds but sound just a little darker... They usually have some sort of no-name branding on the packet but they actually are quite good.
In Australia you can get them as the "Puretone" brand and the 45-60-80-100 works well on my 4001 (the RM still currently sports Rotos)
Eden.