Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'm toying with the idea of putting some rounds on my '74 4001, I know the history of potential neck problems with using high-tension rounds on the older 4001s.

Would TI's be the lightest tension rounds that are safe enough to use? TI flats are on now and they're fine but I would love to hear this baby with rounds too.

Any info appreciated.

Scott

I have TI JRs on both of my '73 4001s, these sound great and last a long time (for me, anyway). As you already have TI JFs on the bass you will get used to the extremely low tension pretty fast; I love these strings!

If you are wanting to compare tension between string sets, you can go to juststrings.com. They have the tension listed for most of their string sets. Otherwise, get the TI's.

TIs are good and I have used D'Addario exl170s for decades on my '74 4001... with no problems what so ever!

scottpro1969 wrote:I'm toying with the idea of putting some rounds on my '74 4001, I know the history of potential neck problems with using high-tension rounds on the older 4001s.

Would TI's be the lightest tension rounds that are safe enough to use? TI flats are on now and they're fine but I would love to hear this baby with rounds too.

Any info appreciated.

Scott

There really is not a problem with rounds on 4001s. You will be safe with pretty much anything out there today. Early Roto Sounds caused some problems but that was about 40 years ago. May I suggest a nice nickel round or a polished stainless round (DR) to save on fret wear.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I think I might go for the TI's to start with. Though the tension might not hurt the neck, I'm also worried about tail-lift. The lower tension the better bet IMO. Thanks very much!

scottpro1969 wrote:Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I think I might go for the TI's to start with. Though the tension might not hurt the neck, I'm also worried about tail-lift. The lower tension the better bet IMO. Thanks very much!

TI rounds are REALLY soft. If it has not lifted by now you are probably safe on that front. BTW there are ways to prevent lift that don't require extra screws.

If you don't have tail lift yet - I might recommend adding the washer shims under the bridge/tail piece. I'm starting to have a notion that if there is no gap for deflection, there may be less of a change to initiate the lift... no scientific fact ... just a notion.

TI Jazz Rounds are even less tension than Jazz Flats.

I have them on my '73 4001 and I love them. Not as bright as DR's, but certainly more clank than Jazz Flats.

Do you think TI rounds would be safe for '65 4001?

I have TI flats on my '63 4001 and previously used DR Hi Beams 40-100. TI rounds should be just fine on your '65.

I have trouble keeping the neck of my '75 4001 straight despite having done some maintenance on the rods. Basically the neck can only cope with fairly low tension strings. I now use DR Hi-Beam 40-100 roundwound strings. They are low in tension, stay sounding bright for ages, and are apparently kind to the frets. I really like the way they sound and feel.

I have seen a few over the years where the rods, for one reason or another, did not work properly. The most recent one, it turns out, had lots of shop debris packed in the truss channels. I pushed a large chunk out with a round rod then used a rectangular one with a hollow tip to dislodge the rest. The debris was curls of maple and other woods, bits of metal, chunks of hardened glue.

philipharris wrote:Do you think TI rounds would be safe for '65 4001?

The Jazz Rounds - definitely, they are the lowest tension strings I know of, and they are nickel, so they are easy on the frets too.

Not to be confused with TI Power Bass roundwound strings - those have about 50% more pull than the Jazz Rounds.

Another vote for the D'Addario EXL170 strings. Oh, and Tom, I like your notion. By tightening the three screws into the cavity, it starts to force the string anchor end of the tailpiece up, which then the string tension can work on easier and cause more lift. With the washers (or a maple plug filling the gap) the tailpiece cannot be "pre-stressed" to allow lift to start and happen. My notion.