Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I really like the roundwounds that came with my 4001C64, but they are not available locally.

Can anyone advise the best place to order?

Chris Clayton at PickoftheRicks, or Mike Parks at the-music-connection.

Jim Rhoads at Rhoads Music http://members.aol.com/rhoadsmusi/store.html. He sells them at a healthy discount off list. The others mentioned charge full list.

Dave-- That's interesting info there about Jim Rhoads, even though I don't use Rickenbacker strings. And now that I'm thinking about it, I would strongly recommend Jim Rhoads over another Ric dealer (located in a state extremely close to yours) that seems to be very popular with many of the forum members.

A few months back, I e-mailed the owner of "the other place" with a request to talk with him by phone at a time mutually convenient for both of us and on my nickle concerning the Hofner V63 bass. I wanted some detailed input regarding the quality of construction & materials used in the bass. He sent back a curt reply saying there was no need to talk by phone. Period. The thinly veiled implication was that I could take his word for it, or not, or even just go somewhere else. In short, the guy came across as a real a**hole and I was *HOT*. I never bothered to respond and figured he could take every Hofner he had in the store and cram 'em you-know-where, 2 at a time............ tailpiece, tuners, and all.

Very shortly afterwards I talked with another forum member who was in the market for a Ric 660 and he reported to me in a private e-mail that he received similar treatment from the dealer in question. With this experience in mind, I would do everything I possibly could to steer business away from "Mr. Personality". Come to think of it, this guy is on about the same level as Ed Roman.

I love the sound and feel of RIC strings. If I had my way, all three of my basses would have RIC sets on 'em. Unfortunately, it seems RIC has decided to discontinue their nylon tapewounds. Lets petition RIC to continue making these fine strings!

I agree with Dave that Jim Rhoads at Rhoads Music is a good dealer to buy Rickenbackers strings from. I have bought guitar and bass strings, at good discounts, from him. He also has great prices on Rickenbacker parts and ships quickly. I got my 650D from him, also shipped quickly.

I like the RIC roundwounds also, Doug. They have a nice piano ringing tone. I'm going to try some Pyramid flatwounds and T-I strings some day, when I get another bass or two. I can't bring myself to take the RIC roundwounds off of my 4004L. At $20 a set from Jim Rhoads, the RIC roundwounds make economic as well as sonic sense.

I bought my 330 from Jim. Great guy even though he's a drummer.

Jeffery, I'm in central Texas, so you must not have been referring to a state close to mine. But I'm pretty sure who you mean.

Dave-- Sorry about that. I was thinking your Ric forum personal profile said that you're located in Minnesota.

Have you had any dealings with the guy in question, or heard about incidents similar to mine from others?

Jim's a great guy. I bought my 4001SLH from him, and some Ric parts as well.
Dave, where are you in Texas? I'm in Austin.

Since we're now talking about two or more different stores, let me reiterate:

I highly recommend Jim Rhoads at Rhoads Music, Elizabethtown, PA.

Now to the "other guy from a state very close to Minnesota":

I have never dealt with him because I choose not to deal with anyone who refuses to be accessible by phone when necessary. But the people I know who have dealt with him have been satisfied with their orders. He's no Ed Roman, far from it.

Here's the scoop: he has a great interest in the instruments and amps he sells, but it's not his primary business. He owns and operates a large music-related manufacturing business and I'm sure that takes up most of his time. He's obviously chosen to allocate his time and operate his musical instrument business by email or fax only. Some people are OK with that. But it doesn't suit everyone, obviously.

I don't want to say any more except by private email.

Just checked out the Jim Rhoads website. He does have a good price on RIC strings compared to others. Next time I need strings I know where to go. Thanks for the tip!