Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Yesterday i bought my first Ric. Im really happy with it. Its a '77 4001 It sounds great and plays really ok. The guy i bought it from, put new strings on it. He never heard about that neckproblems of 4001's, he is more a piano guy. Anyway he did put new Fender strings on it. But they are a little thick.(045,065,080,105) Should i buy a more light gauge from Rotosound (035,055,070,090)?
And there is pretty much fretwear. Anyone have experience with refretting a 4001?
Thanks!

Well, its lasted this long, but I still wouldn't put anything heavier than 100's. Most guys/gals say they like a med to light ga for the sound, and if the neck snaps, the bass is done.
Have fun

I think .105's are the recommended set for a Rickenbacker...I checked it on their site, but that is also for a 4003, which has a different truss rod system. Going a little lighter wouldn't hurt if it gives you peace of mind.

I have 45-100 on my 72' 4001 and all is well so far.

Roto 66' .45s-100....

If there is fret wear I would not use a stainless steel set. As far as gauge - I think the recommended gauge for 4001's with the old truss rod system is 40. Am I correct?

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FWIW, I'm using 45-105 Spectors on my '77 4001, and that neck is as stable as a mountain. (I guess some handled it better than others?)

Granted... I put those on because I had them, I HATE them, and I'm going back to the 100-gauge D'Addario XL's that Lindsay had on it when I got it... but my point is just that there are '70's 4001s that can handle it.

I've had 45-60-80-100 Roundwounds on my early 73 4001 for years with absoutely no problems.

I've had 105's on my 4000 for 20 years & it stills plays like it just left the factory: perfect! As a matter of fact, I used it last night all night except for 2 songs I need my 5 string. I'd been playing the 4001 (which has had 105's on it for 7 years now) most lately for visual impact, but that 4000 just cuts beautifully! Have had no neck problems with either ever.

So the gauge of the string effects the tension? Makes sence. I only play lights anyways.

Sorry im using any talk i see about tension and strings to help me figure this out

I had a set of RIC nickel round .045-.105 gauge on my 3001 and it was just fine. I tried a set of flat wound Rotos on it looking for something different and the neck kept bending everytime I'd tune it. The action ended up being over 1/8" at the 12th fret! It was insane how much those strings pushed that neck beyond it's limits. I put the RIC strings back on and it went flat again. Besides that, steel rounds are harder on frets and loose their brightness faster. I will never use them again.....but that's just me.

If you want some nice light tension strings, try Rotosound RS55 "Solo Bass" strings. They're steels yet they're very easy on your fingers and the frets, and they sound really awesome. Also, DR Sunbeams sound really awesome, and they're not very high tension.

TI Jazz Rounds are the lowest tension rounds made. Very slinky and great tone. I have them on my 4004Cii.

...recently I put a new set of Ernie Ball super slinky (nickel) on my 4004Cii. Since then the growl is gone, but the lowends deepened. Does anybody have a similar experience. I prefer nickel strings as they are more kindly to my basses frets. Is it time to change to the headbangers stainless steel strings???