Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I would love any recommendations for strings that would suit a 1972 4001 without putting excess strain on the neck. I'm sure that this topic has been raised before, so I apologize if I have overlooked it. I use Rickenbacker strings on my 4001CS, 4001c64s, 4004cii and 1983 4003, but I've never owned a 1970s 4001, so I'm not sure what strings would suit it best. Thanks in advance for any advice.

While many say that roundwounds ruin necks, I haven't found that to be the case. I've owned many 4001 basses, and my main axe of 18 years is a 60's bass. I've never used flats - ever. And have never had a problem - ever. However, the heaviest gauge I've used is 45-105.

Welcome, Tom!

I use both GHS Boomers (light gage) and TI Flats on my 1971 4001 with no problems.

Welcome Tom! If you have a '72, you must post photos of it here. Sort of an unwritten rule! '72's forever!

Thanks for the welcome and the string advice. I purchased it from Olivia's this week. I imagine it must have belonged to one of the members of the forum at some point as there are photos of this burgendyglo bass in the forum photo section under the 1972 4001s. I have attached another photo to this post.

Welcome to the RRF! Nice Burgundy 4001!

As for it being in the register already, this one is listed as a "CI" or Collected Item. This means that someone entered it using information from a publicly available source such as a store, online retailer, or ebay. In this case, it can be seen that this was on ebay several times, so it's a good bet that the info came from ebay.

Now that you own it, you can send a note to Peter (admin) or Gil (gibsonlp) and get the entry assigned to you. You will then be able to edit it, change pictures, etc.

Welcome, Tom!

I have TI Jazz Flats on my Feb '67 4005WB, and TI Jazz Rounds on my March '73 4001, very low tension but they sound great and are very long lasting, too.

i've used rotosound swings 105-45 with no problems.

jps wrote:Welcome, Tom!

I have TI Jazz Flats on my Feb '67 4005WB, and TI Jazz Rounds on my March '73 4001, very low tension but they sound great and are very long lasting, too.

Welcome & Congratulations!

THAT is a stunning bass you have there!

+1 on the Thomastic Infield....I have them on my 71 4001.

Welcome to the forum, Tom. That 4001 you have is a beauty! Congrats and enjoy it!

Hey Tom welcome to the Forum! I have a '74 4001 which I have had D'Addario XL 170s on for decades with no neck problems at all....

tgw wrote:I would love any recommendations for strings that would suit a 1972 4001 without putting excess strain on the neck.

I've had a '72 4001 since 1976, and have mostly had RotoSound RS66LD (45-105) roundwounds on it. The neck has been stable, and no problems with tailpiece lift.

Of course, the instruments of that era were each unique individuals, before the days of computer-controlled manufacturing. That is something to keep in mind.

What strings are on it now?

Beautiful BG Tom! Congrats and welcome. I have TI Jazz Flats on my '74 4001 MG.

That is a fantastic Burgundy...I've always gone with Ernie Ball Super Slinkies, .45-.100.

Isn't a '72 just a wonderful thing!?

Thanks all for the great recommendations and the nice welcome. I talked to Chris at Pick of the Ricks and he said that Ric strings would be fine on the neck, so I've got those on for the time being. This bass sounds great. It has a lot of character. It's fascinating to compare the 1972 to a 1997 4001CS, which has much more bite, or a 4004cii, which has a fuller, warmer tone (at least to me). All are great, but I'm really enjoying the more delicate, more nuanced 1972 sound. I'd love to try an orginal horseshoe era bass to further compare tones.