Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Had my Laredo for nearly 3 weeks, and I've hardly put it down. What a bass...it has superseded my expectations for sure. In fact, I'm starting to neglect my '03!

Question is, does anyone know what strings are fitted from the factory? I assume they are the Ric strings, but do they fit the same gauge to all?

If so, what gauge?

I always use Elites, 45-105, Nickel. I know different brands always feel different, and strings on the '04 are cracking. They do feel a little lighter than my normal ones, and play fantastically.

When I replace them, I'd like to know what I want more of!

Rickenbacker nickel rounds, 45-55-75-105.
I noticed that the Rickenbacker website boutique is temporarily out of them, though.
For an alternative that are the same sizes, so you won't have to file the nut slots, go to
http://www.pickofthericks.com/
for some specially made for Rickenbacker basses Curt Mangon bass strings. I've been playing them on my early 70's 4001 basses. Like them a bunch.

my '08 cii came with D'Addario strings

fretless wrote:my '08 cii came with D'Addario strings

Ditto for me...D'Addarios from the factory. I like my strings a bit heavier than what was stock so I replaced mine with D'Addario XLs .050/.070/.085/.105 I'm very happy with the results.

D'addarios have the coloured ends?

fretless wrote:my '08 cii came with D'Addario strings

My 4004Cii did too!

Iain...better take their word for it...I've actually never bought a new 4004, but I assumed (yes...I KNOW!) they would use Ric strings just like the 4003 do (or is it did?) I normally don't say anything if not pretty sure of the answer, so I apologize about spouting off on what I thought was a reasonable possibility.

ajish4 wrote:

fretless wrote:my '08 cii came with D'Addario strings

My 4004Cii did too!

How do you know? I guess the question really should be, how can I tell if mine came with them?

cjj wrote:

ajish4 wrote:

fretless wrote:my '08 cii came with D'Addario strings

My 4004Cii did too!

How do you know? I guess the question really should be, how can I tell if mine came with them?

Well, we are assuming this because of the different color coded ball ends, just the same as D'Addario strings have. When I saw these on Tony's new Cii, I was surprised but not at all disappointed since these are my string of choice anyway.

OK, mine came with the different colors too. So, I guess I must have 'em too!

I've never bought anything but Roto's. These seem OK though. I may string it with Rotos and see how much difference there is. Or I may just keep 'em and buy more of the same!

My 09 Larado came with D'addario strings as well but they are still the rickenbacker gauge.

Just a matter of curiosity; I wonder, is the factory using these instead of their own brand strings on all new instruments?
I'm pretty sure the one new 4003 I bought in '94 came with Ric brand strings...and I think I remember the owner's manual as saying using strings other than Ric would void the warranty.
On the other hand, I have been wrong before.

thb_bassman wrote: I think I remember the owner's manual as saying using strings other than Ric would void the warranty.
On the other hand, I have been wrong before.

No, they can't actually say that, legally. What they say is that strings that are not in conformity with factory specifications may void the warranty. So, same gauge, tension, etc. is fine, others may not be.

cjj wrote:

thb_bassman wrote: I think I remember the owner's manual as saying using strings other than Ric would void the warranty.
On the other hand, I have been wrong before.

No, they can't actually say that, legally. What they say is that strings that are not in conformity with factory specifications may void the warranty. So, same gauge, tension, etc. is fine, others may not be.

OK, I see what you mean. In '94, as example, I don't remember if anyone else sold strings the same size as Ric...at least as far as sets...but maybe individual strings? I don't know. I do remember thinking hard about changing from Ric's brand because of that stipulation.
Can anybody say if the 4003 are coming with Ric strings anymore?

thb_bassman wrote:I'm pretty sure the one new 4003 I bought in '94 came with Ric brand strings...and I think I remember the owner's manual as saying using strings other than Ric would void the warranty.

Older manuals did say that. I don't know exactly when, but that was omitted many years ago. It's been few times that JH has said you should use whatever strings you prefer on a 4003.

I wonder if D'Addario strings on new basses is a temporary or permanent change.