Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi guys,
I was sure I posted this question, but for some reason I couldn't find it...

I searched the forum to no avail:

What strings should I use on my 72 4001?
I understand that there are two issues with these years:
1. The bridge which tends to lift (I did manage to read on it a little bit, however - I am not sure if this is true for 72 or not)
2. The neck is not strong enough...

So - did I get the "problems" right? How can I make sure this won't happen to me?

Thanks.

The solution to both these problems is to use the lightest possible strings you can, so that the tension at pitch will be the least it can be.

The sound may suffer if you go very light, but your guitar may suffer if you don't.

There are stories of some users who have had heavy gauge strings on for 30 years, without a problem, but most users tend to go for something a bit lighter just to keep safe.

If you're really worried about tail lift, you could buy a modern 4003 bridge, (which is much stronger), and keep the original '72 bridge in the case for when you want to sell the bass.

Rounds or flats?

D'Addario 40-95 rounds go very well on the pre 73 basses. The pre 73 split tailpieces are completely solid. Better than anything since. I have never seen one with lift.

+ 1 what Wints says.

I use TI rounds on my '72. No tail lift, it's built like a battleship anyway, and good tone for some fairly crazy light rounds.

FWIW I did a recording session about a year ago and wanted a Rickenbacker tone on the track. I took 4 Ricks along. '77 4001, '80 4001,84 V63 and the '72. The '72 was chosen by the producer by quite a big margin.... Enjoy yours...!

BTW do you know my very good friend and bass player Mark Smullian from Tel Aviv?

Thanks for the response guys!
Bob - sorry, I don't know him... Israel is a small place, but not THAT small

Few more questions;
1. What about flat wound? any recommendations?
2. Which set of the TIs is recommended?
3. I see 2 40-95 from Daddario, which one should I get - the super light or the extra super light?

Thanks again.

GIl, one question - is this a bass you have owned mfor some time? if it currently has a more standard/medium guage set of strings on it, and theres no issues, what is the problem?

I just bought it, I have no idea what strings it currently has - but they do feel lighter than the 45-105 I have on my 4003.

The bridge, b.t.w - is still very close to the body, no space between them whatsoever.

im sure others will have different opinions, but the necks can easily take the tension of a standard set of strings , its just you have to be careful of the old truss rods. In my opinion theres no point using really light strings like TI flats, if it means you cant play the bass in your normal way. I had a 73 and yes, the old fashioned truss rods were a pain, but the neck was tough, it was a stronger and stiffer piece of wood than my 90's 4003 is

The D'Addario Chromes are flats that can thump but also have a bit of the piano sound rounds are known for. Tension is standard so they should work for you too.

i agree john - i use daddario prosteels, and have played the chromes, they are not really that high a tension. Im confused as to why people think the rotosound swingbass strings are high tension - they are floppier than the daddarios i play, or ernie balls etc.

the only strings i have tried myself that are noticable high tension are the rotosound flatwounds, and the fender flatwounds

I think you should go for the string that sounds great on your instrument. I like Rotosound Swing Bass strings. It suits my style and I like the tone I get. As long as a bass is set up well, then IMHO, certain types of string sound different for each player. Experiment and go easy. The Rick seems delicate, but it's built like a nuclear bunker. I've lost count of the number of times I knock the thing off it's stand in a gig. A few scratches, and STILL IN TUNE! Ha ha. Lovely!!!

I ran the TI Powerbass rounds on my '75 4001 for a few years with out any problems, But that said I think the neck or rods in my bass are stronger than most 70's, there were a set of Fender flats on there for a year with little effect and those are like bridge cables.

If you go with the TI Jazz Rounds, not only are they extremely light tension but they are very small as well; they might sit down too low in the nut causing excessive buzzing in the upper registers. That happened with my ;75 and also on my '97 4003. Overall the TI Powerbass strings are VERY nice and lighter tension IME then Fender rounds. Don't know how they compare ot other brands.

Not to keep bringing up D'Addario products (no affiliation for me), but the EXL170 nickles are a very nice sounding roundwound standard sized/tensioned string set.

Ok guys, thanks!