String tension and string choice

rollingricker21 · Post by **rollingricker21** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 2:52 am

As some of you know, I have a new Ric 4003. Though I've found that compared to my other bass, a cheap Yamaha, that the string tension on the Ric is considerably lower.

I find it much easier to play when the string tension is very tight. As far as I know, since my Ric was actually in the hands of another person for a few months, the strings are still stock Ric strings.

Previously I have used Ernie Ball hybrid slinky strings and D'Addario on my Yamaha.

Is it a matter of just buying a higher gauge string for my Ric? Or is that just the way it is with Rics?

prog_rockin_metal_man · Wed Mar 28, 2007 3:43 am

stock ric strings are designed to be lower tension so that's probably your problem right there...not your bass. just get a different brand of string or a bigger gauge that is more to your liking.

zoomduck · Post by **zoomduck** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 10:55 am

I like high tension strings also.......Big fat Labella , fender or Pyramid flats .....Pedulla roundwounds have a very dark growl with good tension.

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 11:27 am

Firstly, standard Ric strings are different gauges to most stock string sets. I don't use them, but I think that in a 45-105 set the A and D are lighter than many other makes if I remember correctly. You need to check your string gauges. Also bear in mind that tensions differ from set to set and make to make. And lastly, but equally importantly, your Yamaha is most likely a 34" scale bass. Your Ric is only 33 1/2. So even using exactly the same strings the Ric will most likely feel looser. I suggest you up your string gauges and/or tension.

Personally I like the most relaxed-feeling strings I can find, but that's just me.

rollingricker21 · Post by **rollingricker21** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 10:47 pm

Thanks for all the replies.

Shaun: When you say up your gauge and tension, I know that you just buy higher gauge strings, but how do you up the tension?

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 11:17 pm

Without trying to hijack the answer from Shaun. String gauge and tension do not always always go hand in hand in a uniform way. Some 'normal' gauge bass strings say, 40 - 100 are lowish tension, some higher. Of course once the string is tuned to concert pitch then the tension is set.

I use Chrome flats on my '62 Fender Jazz RI for an old school tone. They are slightly lower than standard tension IMO. I use Ernie Ball Slinky RW's 40 - 105's on my '73 and '78 Ric basses, again IMO slightly lower than standard tension and I use TI rounds on my '72 RIC, these are REALLY low tension because the neck will not take much more. Higher tension strings would be Rotosounds 45-105. YMMV.

gray · Post by **gray** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 8:23 pm

Rick strings are 45-55-75-105, which is one reason I've stuck with them. I like the sound and they already come in the proper gauge for the bass.
I've been thinking of trying TI rounds or flats on my 4001 but I'm not sure what to do. I don't care how much the strings cost, I just want to find the set that's best for the bass.

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 1:31 am

Thanks Bob, that's what I would've said!

You know, strangely enough, although Rotos are considered high tension I actually find them more flexible than many other makes which are supposed to be lower tension. Obviously that's a personal perception thing, and may not actually be reflected by physics! Although when I changed from 38-98 Overwaters to 45-105 Rotos on my old V63, I actually had to loosen the rods.

Robert, I've also thought about trying TIs, but I must admit I have balked a bit at the cost...

rollingricker21 · Post by **rollingricker21** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 2:57 am

Thanks again for the replies.

I'm looking at getting the highest gauge ernie ball strings as they are the best strings I have used yet, I have never heard of them being used on a ric, but then again, I wouldn't know.

Hopefully getting that higher gauge string will give me what i'm looking for. At the moment, I play with a guitar pick about an inch off from the bridge where the strings are really stiff, which I find great for thrashing around. And so hopefully I can move up a bit further up the body.

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 7:50 am

Ernie Balls and RIC work well

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 7:58 am

Joey DeMaio used Ernie Balls on his Ric, gauges 40,50,60,70.

bassbob · Post by **bassbob** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 8:45 am

Are you guys worried about tail lift with heavier strings ? I replaced the bridge on my 74' for this reason, and I am currently using chromes ( which are very nice, by the way) and low tension. Does this mean the newer bridges do not lift under the pressure of heavy rounds ? I may one day want to put rounds back on it. I certainly was digging on the Ernie ball slinkys, that is until I heard about the tail lift issue, and noticed my bridge hovering about 1/4" above the body.

gothbin · Post by **gothbin** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 9:55 am

I recently mailed to the vendor of Elixer strings how their tension is, but it didn't make me any wiser. I have taillift as much as a creditcard on my 4003, but have the thick ribs onder my bridge. If it stays the same for another year I keep the bridge, but if it grows worse I buy a Hipshot bridge. I hope it will stay the same as I like the looks of the bridge and the damper.....

rollingricker21 · Post by **rollingricker21** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 3:43 pm

It seems mostly that the older Ric basses have tail lift problems.

Would changing the bridge to a hipshot bridge ensure that tail lift isn't a problem?

But then again, surely a relatively new 4003 shouldn't get tail lift using normal high gauge strings.

gothbin · Post by **gothbin** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 11:07 pm

My 4003 is from 2003, so it is relatively new. It is not much the taillift, but it's there. Hipshot claims on there website that their bridges won't lift.