Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Just got a new 4003. Action seems a bit high and the string gauge seems huge, is this normal?
Especially the E looks like a cable!
Measuring the neck with a straight edge I can see a small amount of relief.

What gauge should be on here? Any advice on going to flat wounds? I have the McCartney gauged La Bells on the Horner and I like those.

Unless Rick changed (pfffftttt), the recommended gauges for bass strings are 45-55-75-105

The 105 will look large compared to the others. The A and D strings are about 10 thousands smaller than "typical" sets of strings. In the past I have had other string gauges on and have not had to mess with the nut, YMMV. My experience is that my Rick basses play better with the recommended gauges. Again, YMMV...

Flats - a lot of people like TI Jazz Flats, but I've never sprung the money for them. I recently had a custom fretless build, and put GHS Brite Flats on it, and I might try them on the Ricks eventually. I think you can custom order Brite Flat sets and get really close to the recommendations.

I've settled on the Ric brand strings, and have used them on the bass since new....and they're the right gauges!

Not flats I appreciate, but they make the bass really sing. I used to try all sorts, but have settled on these. Should have gone for them years ago.

Or is the standard E string a 95? Just looked at the Rick site and they had several different sets. So now I'm confused

Also, I only saw round wounds at the Rick site...

.105

johnallg wrote:.105

thanks, John. For a moment I wasn't sure who or what I was!!

I think there is room for adjustability for most string gauges on Rick basses,as long as you don't go too deep on heavier,high-twnsion gauges. I prefer something a bit lighter,and have either 45-100 (rw) or 40-100 (flats) gauges on all 3 of my Ricks. I am really happy with DR Sunbeams,Kalium (Circle K) as smoother feeling roundwound strings. For flats,the Optima set is a good gauge,TI strings sound great,if a bit unsubstantial in feel. I've also used GHS flats in their lightest gauge,and they work well.If you go for daddario chromes,get the lightest gauge they make,as they tend to be higher in tension than most strings. And there's always tapewounds,which are a great alternative sound to flats. (They're not just for fretless!)

tried all the strings and have settled on Elixir nanoweb the new version 45-105 great strings, great tone and it stays.

I go very light: Rotosound .95
makes playing a breeze, and sounds great when slap bassing!

downside is, they are comically thin, so prepare for sarcastic remarks from your bands guitarists.......they are jealous really.

necrobacker wrote:I go very light: Rotosound .95
makes playing a breeze, and sounds great when slap bassing!

downside is, they are comically thin, so prepare for sarcastic remarks from your bands guitarists.......they are jealous really.

Actually, other strings are comically fat, like telephone cables.

I have the factory 45-95s on my 4003. They are lighter than the strings I usually use (50-105) on most of my basses, but they do feel and sound very nice.
Plus, they're a good contrast to the strings on my 4001 (RS 77s). Not much difference between them, otherwise (to me, anyway).

The TI Jazz Rounds I use are .043-.051-.068-.089, and they are nice and flexible with great, longer lasting (sounds like a commercial) tone.

jps wrote:The TI Jazz Rounds I use are .043-.051-.068-.089, and they are nice and flexible with great, longer lasting (sounds like a commercial) tone.

Baritone bass??

Wow,when you noodle on your bass,it's really noodles! (Rimshot)

Resourceful post, thank you.