Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've just bought a set of DR Hi-Beams (45-105), with the intention of putting them on my Fender Jazz but what are they like on Rics?

I was going to get some Roto 66's for my 4003, but I might consider trying the Hi-Beams on it - Anyone out there using these on their Ric basses?

I've used DR rw strings on my Rick basses for years. I tend to find the stainless steel ones (hi beams,fat beams,etc) a bit too glassy bright,so mostly i've used the nickle content strings (sunbeams,pure blues),which i think have more than enough clank. I prefer them to rotosounds,which seem to be higher tension,and not as well-finished.
For the last 4-5 years,i've switched several of my basses over to Kalium balanced hybrid strings,which i think are the best rw strings ever made.

I am using them now. Once you play them a little bit, they'll mellow out and sound great. Still have the clank but you can make them thump with some punch.

I've been using Nickels for a while now after having used Steels for some years, I didn't like them initially, but I got used to them and to their credit they've lasted a very long time.

I've read some good reviews on the Hi Beams and have heard some sound clips which would support what you both say in that they do seem very bright. I do prefer strings after they've lost their initial brightness.

Are there any sound/video examples of a 4003 fitted with Hi-Beams anywhere, the only ones I've seen are with them fitted on Jazz Basses?

I've decided to try them on my Jazz Bass first as that is the bass they were initially bought for and it needed new strings the most.

They sound very good so far although I could only try them in the house at a subdued volume, I'll try them out properly at rehearsal and if I'm suitably impressed I might then get some for my 4003 although I might investigate the Nickel version further as Woodyng suggested.

These Hi-Beams are quite an expensive string though (approx. twice the price of a set of Roto's!)

Baker69 wrote:These Hi-Beams are quite an expensive string though (approx. twice the price of a set of Roto's!)

What's expensive? I use these strings on some of my basses:

http://www.juststrings.com/toi-jr344.html
http://www.juststrings.com/toi-jr345.html
http://www.juststrings.com/toi-jf344.html
http://www.juststrings.com/toi-jf345.html

I paid a bit over the odds for my Hi-Beams (£35) but it was from a London Store and I could have got them £6 or £7 cheaper online but I like to support local shops when I can. In comparison a set of Rotosound are approx £15 off the internet.

I've read lots on TI Flats and do intend on trying a set someday, I think they're about £44-£45 a set, but I understand they last, well forever! Not sure I'd like them on my Ric though, might not suit my playing style.

Baker69 wrote:I've read lots on TI Flats... Not sure I'd like them on my Ric though, might not suit my playing style.

They sound great on Ricks. I currently have a set on my Snowglo 4004L, and have had them on some other Ricks over the years.

jps wrote: They sound great on Ricks. I currently have a set on my Snowglo 4004L, and have had them on some other Ricks over the years.

They may be a bit too mellow for me, but I will definitely try them out before the end of this year as I am very intrigued. If I don't like them and I don't shorten the strings I can alway put them on my Jazz Bass or Sandberg.

Baker69 wrote:They may be a bit too mellow for me....

The TIs are not too mellow sounding unless you want them to be through playing technique or rolling of the tone control(s). They are pretty versatile strings.

jps wrote: The TIs are not too mellow sounding unless you want them to be through playing technique or rolling of the tone control(s). They are pretty versatile strings.

I've tried D'Addario Chromes on a P Bass a few years ago, nice sound and old school thump but I found the tension a bit high. I'm assuming the TI's would be a similar sound but with a much lower tension?

It's funny how everyone says the Chromes are high tension. I never found them to be like that, of course I used their 40-95 set. The thicker gauge sets are probably what everyone else uses; I go by tension, not the gauge of a string, to determine what to use.

jps wrote:It's funny how everyone says the Chromes are high tension. I never found them to be like that, of course I used their 40-95 set. The thicker gauge sets are probably what everyone else uses; I go by tension, not the gauge of a string, to determine what to use.

Yes,i've made that exact same mistake in the past,myself. The "regular" 45-105 gauge i used for other RW strings was way too tight and heavy when i tried to use it with the chromes. I've recently installed the 40-95 set on my AVRI Precision,and they feel just right. Now,i'm just waiting for the clank to subside,so they sound like flatwounds,which it is starting to do a bit.
I still think of the chromes as high tension strings though,because that low gauge tends to feel like spaghetti noodles with other string types.

woodyng wrote:...that low gauge tends to feel like spaghetti noodles with other string types.

So, you've tried TI Jazz Rounds, then? If not, you may find them to feel like overcooked spaghetti noodles. I love 'em, though.

Love the Hi-Beams on my 2000 model. Love the Hi-Beams on my other basses too, including an active bass with Bartolini gear and a passive P/J copy fretless with SD Basslines.

I like the even tones, enough zing, enough thump. Responsive to tone control changes. Great tension.