Which strings are right for Rick Bass?

StupidClay · Post by **StupidClay** » Sat Dec 30, 2000 3:19 am

Hello all -

I just recently purchased a 4001 Bass, and I'm pretty unfamiliar with Rick basses all together. Though I'm still getting used to it, the strings in general seem to rest higher above the fretboard than other basses, making them seem - to me - more loose, and more difficult to play wihtout string 'reverb' (from them hitting the frets), if that makes any sense at all.

I've been told that 4001's were made for flatwound strings, which I am not using. Would this make a change - Or should I be playing with flatwounds anyway? It just seems like a harder bass to play, and maybe that's all it is... Any tips / info you could give a novice on these subjects would be appriciated. Thanks!
-clay.

marcus · Post by **marcus** » Sat Dec 30, 2000 10:54 am

If your strings have high action it could be that
the neck needs to be adjusted. Or the bridge for that matter. Ricky basses are famous for their fast playing action and a properly setup rick is very easy to play. It depends a bit on personal preference and the bass but in general that is the rule. To answer your question on the flatwound issue, yes the early rickenbacker models
were designed for flats. If you want to use roundwounds it is advisable to use the lightest string gauge you can manage. I use .40-.95 and this works fine. Maybe this also improves your problem since they put less tension on the neck. If not it is probebly best to have a good bass luthier set it up for you. Make sure though that the luthier is familiar with setting up ricky basses because the old tuss rod systems are very tricky to adjust.
Doing it wrong can easily snap of the fingerboard.
And that you don't want.

Good luck,

Marc.

bassman · Post by **bassman** » Sat Dec 30, 2000 1:03 pm

I like a little more "meat" on my strings. So I use Markley Blue Steel Roundwound Lite gauge (45-100) on my 1972 4001 and have no problems with them. I use Blue Steel Med-Lite (45-105) on my
4001v63, again without any problems. Both basses play and sound great.
As Marc suggested, take your bass to a GOOD Pro Guitar Shop and have it properly set-up, you won't be sorry that you did. Good luck
Cheers

squirebass · Post by **squirebass** » Sat Dec 30, 2000 11:18 pm

I use Rotosound Swing Bass Roundwounds (45-105) on my '73 4001 and 4001v63 and I don't have any problems. It sounds to me that you have a problem with the neck and it will require some truss rod adjustment. With a 4001 bass (as opposed to a 4003) you will want to make sure that you find a luthier who can adjust those truss rods correctly. The old 4001 truss rod system works quite well (even with roundwounds) but they just need to be adjusted carefully. And I also like an extremely low action on my necks, and I know this can be accomplished easily on a Rick or I wouldn't play them. I suggest that you post your question under the "Ask a Rickenbacker Luthier" section of the Rickenbacker Forum. Mark the MD can give you or your luthier the info you need.

Happy New Year,
Gene S.

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Thu Jan 04, 2001 1:25 am

If you want round wound string ,there is every chance that it will take it and be just fine .

I have put on thousands of round wound strings on 4001 basses.

You just have to know the tricks to adjusting them .

The newer basses (since the end of the split guard 4003 ) are easy to adjust ...just like a fender P bass.

The older ones are the problematic models and it's really just knowing the tricks .I've posted all over this site ways of doing it .and the checks to make sure it is correct.

You might ,if you want to see something interesting ,get one of the old factory "How To " truss rod sheets .Those were interesting to read.

tracy · Post by **tracy** » Tue Feb 20, 2001 12:06 am

The strings supplied as original equipment on new Rickenbacker basses in the sixties were flatwounds made by 'MAXIMA' from Germany. MAXIMA flatwounds are made from exotic European 'bell' quality metals and are totally unlike anything you might be accustomed to if you use flatwounds made by an American company. They are similar to Pyramid strings, but as Pyramids are to Hofner, MAXIMA is to Rickenbacker.

I have several sets of original '4001 formula' flatwound strings by MAXIMA for sale here at my shop in California. I also have them in 3/4 scale for 3000 series basses. If you want to get that genuine sixties sound from your Rickenbacker bass, this is the string you are looking for! Reply to tsandsamptech@webtv.net for more information, or give me a call at (714) 527-5736 most evenings.

P.S. I'll even throw in some original Rickenbacker string envelopes (while they last)!

Andy_Bass · Post by **Andy_Bass** » Thu Feb 22, 2001 3:03 pm

Before you take the plunge and decide on either changing your string type or taking your ricky to the doctor you consider what sound do you want it to make.

If you like a bright metalic sound (Play with a pick) then round wounds are probably best. Alternativly if you like a more jazzy mellow sound then you may prefer flat wounds.

The bottom line here is know what you want when you take your guitar to the doctor. That way he can fit the right strings for you and also set up the "dual truss" rods to suite those particular string tensions.

Good like and happy picking

Maxx_Rush · Post by **Maxx_Rush** » Fri Jul 06, 2001 8:00 am

I have just aquired a 1981 4001 which has, according to the previous owner (a dear friend), always been strung with roundwound and/or groundwound strings (045-108). The finish (white) exhibits what appears to be old hairline stress fractures on the front and back of the headstock, the upper and lower parts of the fingerboard, and at various points on the front of the body (perhaps merely finish checking?). However, the neck is straight as can be, the action and intonation perfect. According to the previous owner, the bass has never been adjusted in any way. Furthermore, the present set of strings (.045 - 108) have been on the bass for eight years, tuned to A440 pitch!! (he seldom played it). Since just learning of the string tension problem of the 4001 models, I'm considering a lighter string guage and proper adjustment. Yet, this particular bass has apparently been unaffected for twenty years. According to John Hall, each piece of wood is different, so perhaps the bass is one of the lucky 4001s? Perhaps too, I ought to heed the old addage "If it ain't broke, dont fix it". I might also add that this particular bass has more harmonics and overtones than any Ric bass I've played or heard since 1970. All things considered, it appears to be a freak.

rob · Post by **rob** » Fri Jul 06, 2001 8:24 am

Don't consider it a "freak" until it does "freak out" on you. If it was up to me, I would let the physical looks of the guitar be, and just be glad that it feels and sounds great!

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Fri Jul 06, 2001 9:10 am

Maxx: I would agree that it would be hard to find two 4001 basses that behave in exactly the same manner...I would recommend trying to use something close to what is on the bass now gauge-wise(like GHS Boomers, 45-105) although Mark the MD has said in previous posts that it is string tension and not the gauge dimension that effects playability. It may be that once you change your strings an adjustment may be in order. The three Rick basses that I own have never needed an adjustment( except for action only, due to changes in personal playing style) in 20 years..I just basically settle on one string type and live with it.

JBlakey · Post by **JBlakey** » Fri Jul 06, 2001 3:25 pm

Its been said, but I will add my experience to the pile of evidence... I got my '75 4001 in '84... played Med. Lite roundwounds ever since. Only now am I considering a switch to Lite (.40-.95 I guess) as my new but used '90 4003 came with lites and I like it ALOT more.
All in all though... NO PROBLEM WITH 4001 NECK AND ROUNDWNDS.

Maxx_Rush · Post by **Maxx_Rush** » Fri Jul 06, 2001 10:22 pm

Thanks for your kind responses and advice. As mentioned, I've played a few borrowed 4001's over the years (for studio recording) but have never owned one until now. After thirty five years of owning various models of Gibson basses, I felt a radical change was in order. Middle age crisis I suppose. I was about to commission a handmade bass for an extensive recording project but my friend's Rickenbacker was for sale at a very reasonable price and I couldn't resist. Those of you familiar with Gibson basses can appreciate the leap of courage and faith it took for me to "cross over" to a Ric. Anyway, I am delighted with the 4001 (particularly its stereo circut). I find the bass not only unique sounding, but quite versatile and plan to keep it indefinetly. As mentioned, my only concern was the string tension and rod adjustment problems, but as experienced 4001 players, you have all eased my mind. Nonetheless, I will heed Leftybass's good advice with regard to maintaining the 4001's present string guage. I've normaly used .040 - .098/100 on my Gibsons, but the heavier guage on the Ric appears well suited to its tonal and general characteristics. Thanks again for your feedback. Any further advice or suggestions will be appreciated.

biff · Post by **biff** » Thu Oct 25, 2001 4:10 pm

I put Webstrings (Detroit Bass nickel wounds) on my '80 4001. They were gauge 035-055-075-090. Very bright, punchy, GREAT sound and $10.50 per set.

I've heard great things about Thomastik-Infeld and low tension so I tried their JR344s (gauge 043-051-068-089). They sounded OK, but not near as bright as the Webstrings. TIs are generally known as light gauge strings, but they put an additional .004" of relief into my neck (from .012 to .016).

I put the WebstringXLs back on. Within' 3 days, the neck on my 4001 was back to .012" of relief.
The point is that these webstrings strings produce the bright punchy tone of nickel roundwounds at 1/3 the price and less tension than the low tension TIs. They are definitely worth trying if you are worried about high tension round wounds on your 4001.

Don't let anyone convince you that flatwounds are "safer" than rounds for the 4001 neck. Todays flats are actually higher in tension than similar gauged roundwounds. Significantly so in just about every case. That is a fact, not my opinion.

rickbass · Post by **rickbass** » Sat Oct 27, 2001 4:53 am

i agree whole-heartedly with the biffster--flat wounds have more tension that the roundwounds. even if the neck relief stays the same on a bass switched from roundwounds to flatwounds,they are harder to press down on, and make fingering them a little more work. that isnt saying that i dont like them--i have a set on a danelectro dc bass,and they sound quite good.

also, i have used rotosound roundwounds on a 1980 4001,and a 1977 4001, (45-105), with absolutely no neck problems at all. for my taste and style, still the best sounding string and gauge i have ever used with a 4001 bass.