Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi all.
Does anyone out there use 46,65,85,105 string sets on their 4001 basses? At the moment I have a 45,60,80,100 set on my 74 while it works well enough I've always felt a need to put a 105 on the "E" of a Rickenbacker.
I have Rotosound 45,65,80,105 strings on the old rm1999 and I probably shouldn't,although the neck seems fine with it I will probably lighten the load on it in the future.
I can't really use Rotosounds on the 74 as there is not enough fret on it (quite worn).
Yes I probably should put Rickenbacker strings on both of my basses but the low value Australian dollar has stopped that caper..
So should 45,65,85,105s be ok on a 74 4001 with a bigger than some neck?
Eden.

Eden, you might have to just try it and see. Some of the 4001 necks can handle a 45,65,85,105 set with no problem, some can't. Every piece of wood is different. Do your best setup on that 4001 if you do install those strings, but keep a close watch on the neck and have a backup set of strings of lower tension ready in case the 45,65,85,105 string set seems to have too much tension for that neck. If the 45,65,85,105 set seems to have too much tension for that 4001, you'll want to remove them ASAP.

I'm going to see if I can get a 45,60,80,105 set assembled and that should be near perfect tension for me. (in fact not too far from Rickenbacker oem strings) I really don't want to put more tension on the neck than neccessary.
Eden.

weemac wrote:I'm going to see if I can get a 45,60,80,105 set assembled and that should be near perfect tension for me. (in fact not too far from Rickenbacker oem strings) I really don't want to put more tension on the neck than neccessary.
Eden.

String gauge, in and of itself, does not reflect the tension of the string.

True Jeffrey, the overall construction of a string will determine it's tension. The gauge of is only one of the attributes of a string that will influence the tension.

I have 45,65,85,105 nickel round Ernie Ball Slinkys on a few of my 4001's (73 - 82) with no problems. A couple of my others didn't like that set, so I went lighter.

Yup! I realise that more than gauge will have a bearing on string tension and the different brands have different percieved tension (Da'addrio seem to be overtly stiff, much higher than Rotosounds in the same gauge) but when you are trying different sets out you only have gauge to go on.
Eden.

Some manufacturers, such as TI and D'Addario, publish string tension, which is very helpful. It would be nice if every string maker did so.

jps wrote:Some manufacturers, such as TI and D'Addario, publish string tension, which is very helpful. It would be nice if every string maker did so.

No kidding! e.g. new Maxima /Optima - I tried to ask a question. - It can't be such a big deal to measure tension...well more business to TI flats.

grazioso wrote:

jps wrote:Some manufacturers, such as TI and D'Addario, publish string tension, which is very helpful. It would be nice if every string maker did so.

no kidding! e.g. new maxima /optima - i tried to ask a question. - it can't be such a big deal to measure tension...well more business to ti flats.

Dusan, if the new Maxima/Optima are made to the earlier Maxima specs, they are low tension strings, possibly lower than TIs, but that is a guess. I have old RIC Maxima flats and they are low tension.

Oh fingers crossed. that would be great news. If only they would publish the spec sheet. I don't feel like spending $100 to learn they are not the old specs.

$100!!!

http://www.musiksaiten-optima.de/dynasi ... smid=60743

But I saw no tension info anywhere on the site.

http://www.juststrings.com/optimaelectr ... uitar.html

yes