Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Greetings everyone!
I was wondering what type of round wound strings you guys were using on your vintage 4001s. I currently have GHS Boomers .045-.105 on my '75 and also use them on my Fender Jazz so this is the gauge I'm used to.
I've read quite a bit about string tension and I do have a bit of tail lift.
Any suggestions for the best low tension round wounds?

I've used GHS boomers same as yours on my 75-79 4001's for close to 20 years.

I recommend DR Hi Beams, they have a round core vs hex core on other strings which gives them a good feel and excellent bend-ability. I started out using these on my 4004's but just recently tried them on my old 4001's. DR says that their rounds are not as hard on frets as their competitors, supposedly because they are flattened slightly.

I am thinking of putting TI Jazz Rounds on my '67 4005WB, I had them on the 4004Cii I used to have and they are currently on my Fender Cal. Prec. Special. They are very low in tension, have a smaller diameter outer wrap wire and are round core, all of which give these strings a superb feel and tone without the ear shattering zingy highs of most RW strings.

Do the ROTO-SOUND Nickel RW strings fit in this category or are they too high tension?

I used Rotosound RS66 Swing Bass on my old 4001 for quite a while. While they were not easy on the frets, the neck and the truss rods handled them fine. But as each piece of wood is different, some 4001's react differently from others. I would use DR Sunbeams on a 4001 now. DR strings are compression wound so they are easy on the frets, sound great, and last quite a while. I like DR nickel strings best for RW's. SS strings in general are too cold, and harsh sounding for me.

" ear shattering zingy highs of most RW strings."

The perfect definition of overtones!

Ernie Ball ultra slinkies 40-95....works on EVERY Ric I have had....fast strings too!!

Have to agree with Jaymi, I use Ernie Ball on my Rics as well, great strings.

Thanks for the input everyone. You gave me some great suggestions. This is my first Rick bass and it's pretty old so I want to treat it right.
Now I guess I just need to start trying some strings.

D'Addario EXL160 rounds are really nice - tone and lasting. You can get a twin pack (EXL160TP) for $25.

Hi guys, first post here, so a big HELLO! And thanks for keeping this place going everyone!

My Jetglo 4001 is in desperate need of a string change, but as it's my first bass, and my first Rick, I would like You to help me find the right strings for the specific sound that made me buy it on first play.
It came strung with some well worn roundwounds, though I can't tell the gauge. They are not heavy I guess, compared to the rw-s on my friend's Musicman 4 string.

The serial number suggests it was made in October '82, although it has some details that suggest it might be an earlier instrument that left the factory well after its construction, or perhaps some mods have occured along the way.
The build is very solid, the neck looks good to me, it's a wide, hand filling "C" to "D" profile I'd say, and the current action is nice and lowish with no buzzing.

The sound when I bought it was everything I want and more. Warm, woody and alive, with a wicked wild animal growl that is just sexy and surprising. The strings are now so lifeless there is hardly any detail in the sound, and while the growl is present, the latest recordings suggested an imminent re-stringing is due as I struggled to make them cut through the mix.

I play fingerstyle on most songs, trying to play lightly and even across the board to minimize fret-wear, but I'd like the strings to help reduce it too.

So what type and make string do you suggest for a warm, growly, non clanky but present tone?

Thanks for reading,
Satdog

Welcome, Szabolcs!

From your description of what you are seeking you may like Thomastik-Infeld (TI) Jazz Rounds. They are very low tension with a nice supple feel to them. The outer windings are made with a much smaller diameter wire than other roundwound strings which give them a smooth, almost flatwound-like feel so they are gentle on frets and fingers, alike. They are nice and growly but do not have the earbleeding brightness that are usually associated with roundwound strings. They are a bit pricey but I have a set on my '73 4001 that have been on for close to three years and they still sound wonderful.

You probably had Rotosounds on it.

I would also check out the Circle K strings.