Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

If you are wondering, here are some string tension listings. Add yours. Seems like this subject comes up sometimes.
These numbers came from company literature or company staff when I asked.


D'Addario

Flatwounds:
Chromes ECB84 (40-60-80-100) 172.13 lbs. set Perfect on Rickenbacker 4003 bass.

D'Addario ECB82 Chromes Flats (50-70-85-105)
224 lbs. set

LaBella
Roundwounds:
M45 Stainless Rounds Standard – Light 45-105 (170lbs.)
C900S Criterion Bass, Nickel Rounds – Standard
(170lbs.)
SN45 Nickel Rounds – 45-105 (170lbs.)
Flatwounds:
760FL-201.650 lbs

Rotosound
Roundwounds:
RS55LD – (45-65-85-105) 176.98lbs.
RS66LE – (50-70-85-110) 196.68lbs.
RS66LF – (45-65-85-105) 184.97lbs.
Flatwounds:
SM77 = 178.57 lbs.
RS77LD = 214.71 lbs.

Nice pdf reference chart from d'addario here on all their strings.... http://www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf

DR do not provide string tensions, or at least they aren't easily found. I can only provide a comparison with Rickenbacker relevance - attempting to be objective but measuring by feel. I may be of no assistance whatsoever

My reference point is RotoSound RS66LD. If a set of RS66LF are 184.97lbs, then I guess that would place RS66LD at about 180-182lbs, given the skinnier A. I don't know what else is different between LD and LF.

I used RS66LD on my 34" scale Epiphone Ripper since early 2000s and my 2000 model 4003 for a few years.

I now use DR Hi-Beams on the Ripper - regular 45-105 set. These are noticeably lower tension than the RS66LD. Not floppy, but comfortably lower. I would estimate the Hi-Beams are 175-178lbs. There is enough tension that they still have that snap. Tone-wise I couldn't be happier. They aren't Rotos, but they aren't *that* far behind.

I tried the same DR Hi-Beam set on the Ric and felt the tension was too low. Guess is around 170lbs or even less. I can be heavy handed at times and the Hi-Beams would choke too quickly, necessitating a higher than desirable action. Also felt like the strings simply wobbled too much.

So for the Ric I switched to DR Lo-Riders and magically the tension is near identical to the Hi-Beams on the Ripper. Again, I guess that would place Lo-Riders at near 180lbs on a 34" scale and back around 175-178lbs on the Ric.

My measurements are likely all wrong, but I can't deny these strings felt very different, stark contrast. I have used other brands in the past, including flats and ground/pressure wound, and even ran a 110 set RS66LE to accommodate near permanent Drop-D on the Ripper.

I can say that if you're considering a long life string with some Roto character for your Ric, the standard gauge Lo-Riders are awesome. I can get the clank and grind and also the rubbery fatness when I want. I am not endorsed by DR either.