Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I am having trouble getting a hold of original RIC strings in the UK and when I do, they are way more expensive than other brands that I have used in the past (around £30, double what I normally pay).

Does anyone know of anywhere that does them a bit cheaper or do any other brand of string have the same tension as the set that come factory fitted?

I really liked using D'addario Prosteels on my faker but don't want to fire them on my real 4003s in case the tension is too high or low and I have to get the action adjusted.

DR Hi-Beams gauge 40-100 does the trick for me on my 4001V63.

I tried Rotos, again last week, and it was the last time a they, once again, proved they are "fret eaters". This is my own experience.

DR Hi-Beams are great and fit well with the Ric in my opinion.

Derek, I have D'Addario Pro Steels gauged .100 to .045 on my '73 and '79 4001 basses. The necks are both fine. Since yours is a 4003s, I would expect the neck of that bass to not have a problem with those strings. Whenever you change brands or gauges of strings on any bass, there is always the chance of having to do some adjustments.

Are the RIC strings easy on the frets?

I gave the strings on my Laredo a good whirl when I got it last March, and was pleased enough to stay with RW's...

I decided to try the Musician's Friend bulk strings at the same (I presume) gauges: 45-55-75-105. First I put a set of those on my 4001 and thought "nice...low tension, bright sound". When I finally put a set on the Laredo, I thought "nice...fells almost identical to the originals".

I guess I've had these on for about 6 months now, maybe 50% longer (and probably that much more playing) in calendar terms. Verdict: they're dead as far as RW crunch goes, but they are still alive by my terms.

So my suggestion is to get a set of these bulks. Not sure if MF ships to Europe, but someone must import those things over there. And they shouldn't cost 30 pounds (near $50 in my thinking)...I paid $40 for three sets, including shipping.

Beware, the shipping material is minimal on these. No fancy paper pouches and plastic pouches to put the individual paper clad strings into. Just a long plastic tube sealed at both ends with 3 strings in it. I'd guess if you buy more sets they'd all be in the same "bag"...

Hi-Beams. I ordered some Lo-Riders to see how they compare to the Hi-Beams, but I know that Lo-Riders are higher tension than the Hi-Beams. The Hi-Beams feel pretty close to the original Ric strings.

I've always had good luck with Dean Markley Blue Steel
45-100. They are similar to the tension of the old Rick strings.
I just put on some GHS Boomers 45-100 on my 69
and I like those too.

When I originally began this thread, it was before I had taken my 4003BB out for its first gig and I just wanted to find out in advance where to get rick/rick replacement strings. The strings are going to be getting changed before the next gig because it felt like I was pulling on elastic bands. I am a medium to hard player but can play soft when I need to. When I did play with any great pressure they sounded really bad and I had to crank up the bass and roll of the top end to stop the rattle of the strings on the frets overpowering the sound

To everyone on the Forum,

Instead of keeping a set of Rotosound RS66 in its package and never be used, I would like to offer them to one of you who likes them. They are basically brand new, with about 1 hour playing. Gauge is light at 40-95.

Email me and we will arrange something very very good for you !!! I simply do not need them. I prefer DR strings.

I put a set of GHS flats on my 4001C64 and don't really care for them. I just ordered some Pyramid Gold flats from Don Butler at www.toneman.com and I'll let you know what I think. They are rather expensive but he says they should last about two years.

Rich

Sorry, it's www.tone-man.com.

Rich

Stephane, talk to Nate. He just put a set on his bass, and probably could use some backups.

Flats can last 2, 3, maybe even more years. I've had my Fender 9050's last for up to 4 years...

Funny thing with those strings was they sounded like **** playing unamplified, but the moment I put the bass through the amp and played with the band the sound was fantastic! Maybe it's just me, as the 6 month old RW's on my Laredo are starting to show that property too...

Try Thomastik Infeld Jazz Flats. I think they approximate the stock Ric flats. Low tension and gauges that are a bit off the "norm." I think Ronn Roberts uses them in tThe Eggmen. I have them on my Lakland 55-94 and love them.

Hey Dave,

I was thinking of trying the thomastik but they seem like such a light guage that I was thinking they may sound a little thin.

I tried the lakland joe osborn light flats (something like 40-100) and the sound of the D and A were very different, but with the mediums (45-108?) it's much better, and the bass is much louder too.

My worry was that with the lighter Thomastiks I may lose some volume and tone.

You like them though?