Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

My brother has recently acquired an '86 4003... And pretty damn good it is too. The colour scheme is an unusual red with black trim/hardware; I haven't seen many of 'em.
Anyway, I was just wondering...
a.) Any suggestions for replacement strings? (Brand, gauge, etc.)
b.) How do I fit Schaller strap locks to the Ric? Would it require some modifications?

a: Dean Markley blue steel nickel 45-100 are my favorite on my 4003 but d'adario slowwounds 45-100
also do nicely. If you want perfect gauge balance for your bass I suppose you should go with a standard Rick bass set.

B: I don't know about the '85-4003 but I put straplocks on some 70's basses and had to fill the hole with a bit of woodglu mixed with wood splinters let that dry and then put in the straplock. It has been rocksolid since.
but if it fits immediate then just leave it like that.

STRINGS -- I like Rotosound std set 45-105 for all my Ricks. I have also used Rickenbacker, D'Addario and Dean Markley Extra Lights with excellent results. Not to mention the Pyramid flats on my v63 for that McCartney vibe.

STRAPLOCKS -- I had this problem about a year ago when I wanted all my basses to have straplocks but the screw for the standard Schaller set didn't fit the hole in my Ricks. Since I didn't want to modify my bass I contacted Rickenbacker Inc. and they told me they had a custom dowel with threads that will match the original and will fit a schaller straplock system. I bought some of these from Rickenbacker and they fit right on my basses. All I had to do was attach the Schaller stuff to my strap and I was ready to go.
--Squirebass