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Rickenbacker 4003 in drop b????
Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 12:53 pm
by 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...
Re: Rickenbacker 4003 in drop b????
Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 1:01 pm
by 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.
Re: Rickenbacker 4003 in drop b????
Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 2:48 pm
by 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'.
Re: Rickenbacker 4003 in drop b????
Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 3:31 pm
by rickfan60
incubus2432 wrote: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.
Re: Rickenbacker 4003 in drop b????
Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 3:58 pm
by jwr2
rickfan60 wrote:incubus2432 wrote: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 ...
Re: Rickenbacker 4003 in drop b????
Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 6:33 pm
by 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.
Re: Rickenbacker 4003 in drop b????
Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 8:16 pm
by incubus2432
rickfan60 wrote: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".
Re: Rickenbacker 4003 in drop b????
Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 8:31 pm
by 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
Re: Rickenbacker 4003 in drop b????
Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 10:09 pm
by jps
jwr2 wrote:Personally I really like having that G string for popping
I bet the ladies like that, too!
Re: Rickenbacker 4003 in drop b????
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 7:15 am
by thisismusicinc
I play drop C on my 4003, currently using .115. I'd use a thicker string for that low b.
Re: Rickenbacker 4003 in drop b????
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 12:43 pm
by rhampshire
One of my 4001's is tuned BEAD - I use a 0.125" B string. Four is more!
Re: Rickenbacker 4003 in drop b????
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:05 pm
by 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.
Re: Rickenbacker 4003 in drop b????
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:17 pm
by johnallg
Okay, you guys have convinced me - I am going to string my 4004C BEAD. Now to decide - flats or rounds? All input welcome.
Re: Rickenbacker 4003 in drop b????
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:33 pm
by aceonbass
I think you would tend to get a fuller, broader tone with rounds, particularly on the B string.
Re: Rickenbacker 4003 in drop b????
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 7:22 pm
by 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.