Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Anybody have any opinions on what, if any, string would give the brightest possible tone/sustain on the Rickenbacker?
Jack

DR Hi-Beams steel rounds are right up there. Roto Swing 66 steels are another. The DR's are said to be easy on the frets.

+1 for the hi beam, my favourite strings!

coolhandjjl wrote:DR Hi-Beams steel rounds are right up there. Roto Swing 66 steels are another. The DR's are said to be easy on the frets.

That's my feelings EXACTLY Jack.

Fully agree with the above suggestions... hi-beams all the way !!! The 66 rotosound are great and bright as well, but always found they were hard on the frets and not as easy to play as the DR. My two cents !!!

All my Rics are strung with D'Addario ProSteels. They're about as bright as any string you will find, they are easy on the fingers & frets (compared to RotoSounds), and they have great feeling string-to-string balance and tension.

Great feedback guys, what is the consensus about the strings mentioned compared to the stock rick strings? Would I hear a noticeable difference replacing the stock with one of the mentioned brands here?
thanks
jack

I feel the stock strings (which are much like Daddarios) when new have more treble than the Rotosounds however they have less high mids.
When they age the rotos retain that high mid thing that gives them the cut through voice (although they lose the real highs)
The stock strings once they lose the bright highs sound a bit thuddy and generic..

I cant say about the DRs, I have used them and they were good but can't remember the exact characteristics, but its probably as the others have already declared!

Eden.

weemac wrote:I feel the stock strings (which are much like Daddarios) when new have more treble than the Rotosounds however they have less high mids.
When they age the rotos retain that high mid thing that gives them the cut through voice (although they lose the real highs)
The stock strings once they lose the bright highs sound a bit thuddy and generic..

I cant say about the DRs, I have used them and they were good but can't remember the exact characteristics, but its probably as the others have already declared!

Eden.

Eden, is it just me or do the Rick strings seem to be a little shy on the G string? It seems all the ones I've had and played, the G string seems to have a little less punch than the other 4 strings.

Jack

BTW, I've heard a lot of good reviews on these Circle K strings. Anyone tried those? Heard they are pretty bright as well.
Jack

jack1953 wrote:Eden, is it just me or do the Rick strings seem to be a little shy on the G string? It seems all the ones I've had and played, the G string seems to have a little less punch than the other 4 strings.

Jack

It's funny, I found the "D" and "A" to be a bit weaker...

Eden.

weemac wrote:

jack1953 wrote:Eden, is it just me or do the Rick strings seem to be a little shy on the G string? It seems all the ones I've had and played, the G string seems to have a little less punch than the other 4 strings.

Jack

It's funny, I found the "D" and "A" to be a bit weaker...

Eden.

Or, looking at it another way, your "E" is really strong, which I like. I actually like the unconventional gauge and resulting tension balance between the the Ric strings. Just feels and sounds right for me right now.

I would agree that Roto Swing 66 steels and DR Hi-Beams are plenty bright. I really liked the sound of the Hi-Beams, which were wonderfully rich in harmonic content and zing. But a desire for slightly higher tension and lower action, as well as nickel to protect my new frets, led me to the Ric strings, which aren't quite as bright but have a nice alround sound. The Hi-Beams do seem to be kinder to your frets than Rotosound but, being steel, they will still eat your frets over time, depending on playing style of course.

Here's a comparison of some DR strings with samples played on a jazz bass: http://www.bassemporium.com/newsletters ... etter.html

GHS Super Steels are great for what you're looking for. Consistent quality too.

Dean Markley Blue Steels (cryogenically treated) stainless steels. Make your Ric growl & bite !