Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've got a Ric 4003s/5 and would like to get a backup set of Ric strings for it; but I can't locate any. I did find some on EBAY for $70 and a kidney. Anyone know of a dealer/other source who may have them, and is not charging an arm and a leg? Thanks...

They are not available anymore. You better sell the Rick to me.

(I use d'addario on my 5string Rick.)

I would check out Circlr K strings.

aceonbass wrote:Circle K doesn't make a 5-string bass set with the .115 gauge B string found in the stock 4003S/5 set. In fact they don't make a .115 string available as a single either.

Forgive my ignorance, but will a 4003S/5 not take anything larger than a .115 B? Just curious!

coolingitdown wrote:Forgive my ignorance, but will a 4003S/5 not take anything larger than a .115 B? Just curious!

I use only .130 B strings on 5'ers. The original nut slot was cut for a .115 gauge, but can be filed to hold a heavier gauge. The saddle and hole through the tailpiece have no problem with the heavier gauge string. A .115 gauge string is good if you're tuning down to D or C#. Too loose and floppy tuned to B for my feel.

coolingitdown wrote:Forgive my ignorance, but will a 4003S/5 not take anything larger than a .115 B? Just curious!

Of course it will, but as Joey said, it would require the nut slot to be filed larger, and some people aren't comfortable doing things like that. I responded to the poster that I have several of the unused .115 RIC B strings, but he's chosen not to respond.

Ah, ok. I'm sure RIC had there reasons for using a .115, but that sounds like it would be incredibly floppy. I typically prefer a .135.

I like the D'Addario EXL220-5 125/95/75/60/40 on my S5.

ram wrote:I like the D'Addario EXL220-5 125/95/75/60/40 on my S5.

That's what I have on my fretted Elfin 5 and the B string sounds massive on it with extremely long sustain. I still have the 45-130 XL set that was on the fretless Elfin 5 when I took delivery of it almost 3 years ago!

aceonbass wrote:You'd think it would be floppy, but oddly enough it isn't. I prefer a .130 on my one Rick 5-string myself, but for those who wanna stay stock, I do have four of the original B strings.

Interesting. I suppose they could have spec'd that string for higher tension to keep the feel consistent throughout the set.

ram wrote:I like the D'Addario EXL220-5 125/95/75/60/40 on my S5.

I couldn't put a set any lighter than the EXL-170-5 (.130 - .045) on the Blue Beast S/5. It's neck laughed at string tension.

berth wrote:They are not available anymore. You better sell the Rick to me.

(I use d'addario on my 5string Rick.)

Must...sell..to...you

Why do they stop making and selling stuff? Arg.