Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

It's time to replace the strings on my trusty 4003 but alas in the company Boutique they are out of stock .. and I believe discontinued . does anyone know of a comparable set ??? I love the sound and feel of these strings ,heck I switched to these after 15 years of dedicated Rotosound SwingBass 66 use!!

I too am looking for something like this.

Have you two tried D'Addario Half Rounds? I have been using them on and off for about 35 years, now.

jps wrote:Have you two tried D'Addario Half Rounds? I have been using them on and off for about 35 years, now.

I'll have to look into them those are what we hear on your songs page?

Not on those recordings, but I have had them on Ricks over the years. On those recording I have TI Jazz Rounds on the Ricks.

Has anyone tried the RotoSound pressure wound strings (RS55, IIRC)?

I had a set on my (non-Rick) fretless for a while, I thought they had a very nice, bright piano-like tone. Too bright on the fretless for my taste, it took them a long time to mellow out. They're not quite as smooth as a ground roundwound, but smoother than regular rounds.

I've never tried them on my 4001, I like it best with a fresh set of RS66LD.

GHS makes a set of ground wounds called Brite Flats. http://www.ghsstrings.com/strings/bass/brite-flats-1 I have a used set in decent shape I will offer for anyone to try. Just pay the postage.

Sorry.....
Nothing can beat British Steel!

I think I have an unopened set left, I'll check and get back with you. These aren't my favorite strings, but I got a few sets when they were being cleared.

EDIT: Looks like they still have some: http://boutique.rickenbacker.com/STRING ... p_689.html

I just ordered a set of DR Marcus Miller fat beams for $18 from music parts plus. Stainless steel roundcore smooth rw 40-60 -80-100 set. I am gonna try em out on my cii,which has had DR nickle sunbeams on for several years now. DR rw strings are really smooth feeling,and sound great.

Another possible choice could be TI Jazz Rounds; they are roundwound strings but their outer wrap wire is much smaller in diameter than your typical roundwound string and is very smooth feeling. They are very low in tension but once you get used to that they are quite responsive to dynamic changes and technique, and are very long lasting. All the studio recordings The KARMA Kings have done were with those strings on my basses.

I'm test-driving D'Addario ENR72 Half Rounds on the old 4001. Thumpy yet bright. What a difference strings can make! Now I can put off having to get my frets leveled a little longer.

jps wrote:Another possible choice could be TI Jazz Rounds; they are roundwound strings but their outer wrap wire is much smaller in diameter than your typical roundwound string and is very smooth feeling. They are very low in tension but once you get used to that they are quite responsive to dynamic changes and technique, and are very long lasting. All the studio recordings The KARMA Kings have done were with those strings on my basses.

+1 I tried these a few years ago. A pretty radical difference in feel, (for me anyway), but like Jeff says, once you get used to them, they are really wonderful strings.

kennyhowes wrote:I'm test-driving D'Addario ENR72 Half Rounds on the old 4001. Thumpy yet bright. What a difference strings can make! Now I can put off having to get my frets leveled a little longer.

I have an ENR71 set on my G&L JB-2, and used to use them on my former mid '70s 4001 during the late '70s, along with using the 5 string version on the two fretless ZONs I used to have.

Ricks come alive with Roto Sounds! They even have a light set that is Nickle over Steel.