Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Apart from Ric strings the only other strings I've used on my 4001 or 4003 are Roto 66's. I thought I would have a change and try some D'Addario EXL Nickel wound's as I'd read some good reviews about them. I fitted them earlier this afternoon but have yet to try them through my amp. Acoustically they seem very clear and bright and feel very nice, a bit similar to Ric strings really.

Does anyone use these on their Rics?

I use D'Addarios on some of my non-Ric basses, albeit Steels and not Nickels. I do like these very much but don't like the feel of them, they feel very dry or harsh to the touch in my opinion, but have always been very happy with their sound, their tension and longevity.

EXL170's are my string of choice on all of my basses. I've used them since the mid '80s and have never had a bad string. Great feel and just the right amount of zing.

Do some shopping around and you can pick them up in twin packs really cheap. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EXL170-2PK/

I used to use the EXL170's also, but switched to Kalium balanced tension because...well, they're balanced tension. I did like the D'Addario's though, and think the Kaliums sound the same.

<--- EXL165 user. They're great.

I use them on my 1975 4001. I buy them singly in 45, 55, 75, 105 gauges (the same as Ric strings) as I like a big E string to prevent rattling against the frets when I'm playing on the lower frets with a pick, but need the overall tension keeping down as a precautionary measure due to past troubles I've had with my bass. I think they are great strings, and fairly versatile too, if you want a string which will cover various styles and sounds. I use and love the Ric nickel round wound strings too when I can afford them, but the D'Addario strings are probably just a good. I find the D'Addarios to have a slightly weightier bottom end, whereas the Ric strings seems to have slightly more mid emphasis, but they are both bright for nickel, without eating your frets like steel. They seem to last quite a while too.

I use the EXL170s on my '74 4001 and the EXL220-5s on my '00 4003s5. They last, quality is good, sound great!!! They are a little stiffer than the Ric strings but I do like them. Matter of fact on the subject of nickel, I use Roto Sound SM-66N on my '93 4004C. The D'Addarios just seemed to ring a little more than I wanted with that bass.

Thanks for your comments to date guys, sounds fairly promising. Am hoping to try the Ric through my amp before this weekend's gig, if not I'll post my thoughts and comments after they've been put through their paces.

aceonbass wrote:I used to use the EXL170's also, but switched to Kalium balanced tension because...well, they're balanced tension. I did like the D'Addario's though, and think the Kaliums sound the same.

D'Addario has offered balanced sets since early '12.

This is one of the sets:
EXL170BT Nickel Wound, Balanced Tension

I can't say I've ever tried a balanced string set? The EXL165's I've bought are 45-105 which is a 'Custom Light' Set.


Tension Chart

Diameter Tension
Item # Note Inches mm lbs kg
XLB045 G 0.0450 1.1430 42.520 19.290
XLB065 D 0.0650 1.6510 48.350 21.930
XLB085 A 0.0850 2.1590 45.340 20.570
XLB105 E 0.1050 2.6670 38.080 17.270

Whoever is interested: On my 4005 from 1968 I am using GHS Pressurewound strings, gauge 44-102. Mainly to save the frets, but to my ears they really sound bright enough and can last quite longe before sounding dull. The current set has been on for 5 years now

I didn't get on too well with the strings at the gig, in fact I was tempted to put the old set of D'Addario Steels back on in the interval! It might be that I've been playing steel roundwounds for so long now that it's going to be very difficult to adjust to what is a totally different sounding and feel of string. I do tend to keep my strings on for a lot longer than I used to, so the very bright new string thing isn't really me any more, also I found the nickel wounds to be a lot more slippery than the steels and I found my fingers slipping on occasions. Couldn't do my usual fast runs with any great accuracy or finesse either, the notes all rang out but not individually distinctive.

They may get better once they've settled in a bit and the initial brightness has diminished, so I'll have to persevere, I can always put them on one of my other (non-gigging) basses anyway if all fails.

I'm pretty sure it's not the strings' fault, I think I'm just not used to this type of string so have not decided yet whether these strings are for me.

It's like a first date; you can't tell whether you want to marry the girl or not the first time you go out.

For me, D'Addario XL's have a dip in the low mids. That actually compliments the tonal signature of a 4001/2/3, where the maple body naturally has the same dip. I don't use nickel plated roundwounds of any make or model anymore because my hand perspiration eats nickel and they die prematurely.

Thinking about it, when I first went on to the D'Addario Steels I recall they took some getting used to, so perhaps you're right!

iiipopes wrote:For me, D'Addario XL's have a dip in the low mids. That actually compliments the tonal signature of a 4001/2/3, where the maple body naturally has the same dip. I don't use nickel plated roundwounds of any make or model anymore because my hand perspiration eats nickel and they die prematurely.

Isn't the low-mid's where all the 'OOMPH' comes from on a bass?