Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Let me preface by saying that I know string questions are mostly a matter of opinion and that's exactly what I'm after is the opinions in here.

From your experience and opinion what brand and model of strings give the Rick the most punch and sustain?
Thanks
Jack

jack1953 wrote:From your experience and opinion what brand and model of strings give the Rick the most punch and sustain?

Throughout the years, I've used many brands. For rounds, I like GHS Bass Boomers, the medium-light set (.045-.100). For flats, I've tried a few brands, but I've settled on the LaBella DTF set (.43-.104).

I would stay away from nickel strings if you want the most punch. Also, in terms of sustain, that's really a matter of set up. Make sure your neck is dead flat.

A lot of people swear by Rotosound Swingbass 66 stainless steel roundwounds. I know I like them...

Appreciate the responses and based upon those so far, do flatwounds typically take a little away from the sustain? I have them on my Hofner which suits the Hofner sound and I DO like the way they feel on the fingers. However, I like that sustain and punch the Rick gives and if flatwounds would 'take away' from that, then I'd give up the good feel to get that sustain and punch.

Secondly, is it your opinion that the GHS and Rotos mentioned here so far, are a 'better' quality string than the stock Ricks that come with the guitar?

Thanks again,

Jack

Better is a very subjective term. Keep in mind that a large number of strings are made by a single manufacturer to the specs of different string companies, much like VCRs/DVD players. There are, of course, exceptions to this, such as (I believe) Tomastik-Infeld.

In any case, the "best" string is the one that sounds best, doesn't over or under-stress your neck and doesn't break the bank over the course of time.

I find the RIC stock bass rounds to be pretty good and the Mangan replacements sold by Pick of the Ricks are said to be quite good also (and not expensive).

I don't think flats reduce sustain so much as they reduce brightness (and clank, for that matter). But being primarily a fretless player, my string choices might be very different from yours.

I've used a lot of roundwounds in my day, and I have to say that I actually like the RIC brand the best.

In general, roundwounds sound brighter than flats. In general, stainless is brighter than nickle.

RIC strings are a nickel round wound, very similar to D'Addario XL (the current batch may have actually been manufactured by D'Addario, but this does not mean they are the same since they are manufactured to RIC specs).

RIC strings are good, not quite as bright and clanky as Rotos, but not a lot different...

jack1953 wrote:However, I like that sustain and punch the Rick gives and if flatwounds would 'take away' from that, then I'd give up the good feel to get that sustain and punch.

Secondly, is it your opinion that the GHS and Rotos mentioned here so far, are a 'better' quality string than the stock Ricks that come with the guitar?

If you want to try flats on your Ric, then I'd say give the LaBellas a shot. I was amazed at how they retained the sustain, punch and growl. They're kind of expensive, but well worth it.

The Ric stock strings are very good quality, no less than any other major manufacturer. Unfortunately, they feel floppy to me. I need something with a little more tension.

Interesting, as I prefer higher-tension strings also and I never really had that feeling about the RIC strings.

In any case, LaBella DTB flats are a bit more expensive, but they last for years, so they save you money in the long run. After that first couple of days of initial "over-brightness," they settle in quickly and don't change timbre much for the next several years (I've used them for over three years on some basses). So, while they may cost twice as much as an average set of rounds, amortized, they cost perhaps 1/3 as much.

I preferr the D'Addarios XL's & EXL's. Round wounds bright, available, priced well and the last pretty long for me. Also there are lots of different sizes. I do a custom set for my 4004L8.... been happy with the for decades.

NFB-418 wrote:

jack1953 wrote: The Ric stock strings are very good quality, no less than any other major manufacturer. Unfortunately, they feel floppy to me. I need something with a little more tension.

I was never comfortable with the floppiness of my stock Ric 'E' string. Was considering DR Swing Bass 66 stainless, DR Nickel Lo-Riders, or some GHS Bass Boomers just to try something new. Any suggestions on guages?

The .105'' E string in Ric sets is really cool to me for one reason: it is just an awesome clanger. Most E strings have a good fundamental and fewer harmonics, but Ric's E really has a strong harmonic profile. Probably a bigger wrap-to-core ratio than most .105'' strings. I don't need clang so much but I can see how some folks would. I had to quit Ric strings a couple of years ago because I kept busting the A string with my aggressive right-hand attack. That was back when I was in an electric blues group with a bit of a stoner metal influence on myself at the time, so if I tried the strings again I may not have the same problem.

Ernie Ball Super Slinkies.

Every time.

I'm not a string snob and buy whatever's cheap. However I do remember being impressed with the sound of Hartke Hexcore strings on my Pbass. They are cheap too, just not retailed around here much that I've see.

I wish I knew what was on my 4004 I just got used. I would like to figure out so I can get them again. They're rounds with brass ferules and no wraps and sound pretty good to me.

ricosound wrote:I wish I knew what was on my 4004 I just got used. I would like to figure out so I can get them again. They're rounds with brass ferules and no wraps and sound pretty good to me.

RIC strings were like that for a long time; recently they got colored ends. Brass ends tend to be GHS also.