Rickenbacker 4003 in drop b????

[TROJAN]

I currently play a Epiphone Thunderbird in drop b (lower than drop d and drop c) and use 110 gauge strings. I would like to know how does the Rickenbacker 4003 sound in drop b with some 110 or 105 gauge strings??? It has been a while seen i have been looking for another bass than my t-bird, tried a Fender Reggie Hamilton jazz bass and in drop b it sounds aweful...

[rickfan60]

Tuned down to a B you might need a heavier string. A 105 tuned to B will probably flop all over the place. Maybe a 110 will be better, I've never tried it.

[incubus2432]

With a typical E string dropped it's going to sound dead.....I never cared much for just dropping to D either. They sound great strung BEAD if that'll help ya'.

[rickfan60]

With a typical E string dropped it's going to sound dead.....I never cared much for just dropping to D either. They sound great strung BEAD if that'll help ya'.

I have considered a BEAD tuning on my 4004C just for fun. Of course I will have to widen the nut slots. The string set I use has a .125 B string. That seems to be about the lightest going for that pitch.

[jwr2]

With a typical E string dropped it's going to sound dead.....I never cared much for just dropping to D either. They sound great strung BEAD if that'll help ya'.

I have considered a BEAD tuning on my 4004C just for fun. Of course I will have to widen the nut slots. The string set I use has a .125 B string. That seems to be about the lightest going for that pitch.

That is your best solution ... or even better play a 5 string bass ...

[ram]

Yeah, I think you'd need a little girth on the strings to do the B. I had a .110 on my 4003s5 and didn't like it - running a .125 now - much better sound.

[incubus2432]

I have considered a BEAD tuning on my 4004C just for fun. Of course I will have to widen the nut slots. The string set I use has a .125 B string. That seems to be about the lightest going for that pitch.

When I had my 4004C that's how it was strung. It served that role well and I think it would be a nice tweak for your arsenal. Piccolo strung 4004s are fun as well.....I'm sure you have another Ric you could "sacrifice".

[jwr2]

When you string BEAD you are only losing the 5 highest notes on your bass ...

Personally I really like having that G string for popping

[jps]

Personally I really like having that G string for popping

I bet the ladies like that, too!

[thisismusicinc]

I play drop C on my 4003, currently using .115. I'd use a thicker string for that low b.

[rhampshire]

One of my 4001's is tuned BEAD - I use a 0.125" B string. Four is more!

[aceonbass]

I have an Epiphone Blackbird(similar to a Thunderbird) that is strung BEAD with the bottom four strings of a set of DiAddario EXP170's. The B is a .130 and sounds great on the 34" scale, but I can't imagine anything less than a .115 B string on the RIC's 33 1/2" scale. That's the gauge RIC used stock on 4003S/5's.

[johnallg]

Okay, you guys have convinced me - I am going to string my 4004C BEAD. Now to decide - flats or rounds? All input welcome.

[aceonbass]

I think you would tend to get a fuller, broader tone with rounds, particularly on the B string.

[qwezirider]

I use 5 string sets on my 5ers that use a .110 on the B string. Rumbles well enough for my likes. But we all have different tastes.