Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Just curious if anyone ever experienced getting a dead string in a set of Ric brand strings...???
My E string is just been lacking lately...I want to see if the dead string theory is a valid one with this particular set or what others have experienced...
Also... Has anyone tried the Rot-O-Sound nickel strings in the blue colored box on a 4001 ..if so, how did it work out....

Chris

Believe it or not, i still have and use the original Ric strings from my 98 4003. After several months i boil them for ten minutes, whipe them down and they are (almost) like new.

I have gotten dead strings from rotosound but for the most part, i have had no real problems from Boomers....(shameless plug)

I don't know why it happens but it seems that every string maker makes a clunker once in a while. It used to happen a whole lot more often back in the 70's and 80's. I think string makers have improved their methods and materials since then.

I don't understand how one can remove a set of strings from a 4001/4003 tailpiece. I always cut mine. Wouldn't you have to straighten out the windings...and if so, isn't that going to weaken the core and eventually break the string?

I boiled and reused Rotos on all my basses until 1982. Never had a problem with breakage or in getting them out of the 4001 tailpiece.

It is not the smoothest operation but the strings can be removed without cutting them. The finish under the tail piece gets a little munged after a while though.

I prefer to soak the strings in denatured Alcohol to clean them...
Chris

"I prefer to soak the strings in denatured Alcohol to clean them...
Chris"


Thats a good idea, i never thought of that....thanks

Mike

I agree with Jeff. Altho I dont cut my strings. It just seems easier to get new ones haha. Either let them be dead or slap a new set on. Which always depends on the bass.

I use Kensmith lights too. Maybe Ill try some rotos. I like the Kensmiths tho.

I use Rotos. Screw the fret wear. I want noise... Clankety clank!!!

I've always had good luck with Ric strings, Rots? Now that's another story. I started getting dead strings during the early 90's in successive sets and stopped buying them, then tried their flatwounds four or five years ago and got two dead G's in a row, haven't bought them since. The stock Ric strings last me a long time, I've had a set on a 4001 now for over two years at least and they still sound good, I don't play that bass a lot but still that's a long time for a set of round wounds.

I like to make sure the strings are not twisted from the tail to the tuning keys . When I install them I leave the ball ends sticking out behind the tail piece and wrap the strings around the keys . Then start winding making sure the ball ends are free to spin till they connect with the tail. My new 4004 Cii sounded kind of dead . When I went to remove the RIC strings I found them all twisted . I may be sounding like a tweek but this installation process works on all my basses .

I'm using Pyramids right now on the 4001. Sound pretty good to me. I was a Rotosound user for years, but I thought I'd give the Pyramids a try. Seem OK to me. We'll see how they hold up to abuse though.

They last forever with just about with no perceptable change in the sound. I have a few basses with 2-3 year old Pyramids on them, they still sound good and crisp. I have not had a dead Pyramid yet on any of my basses, well worth the money to me.