Original String Gauges

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T28
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Original String Gauges

Post by T28 »

Since around 2010 or so, it is my understanding that the standard string gauges are 45-55-75-105.

I am curious as to what were the standard gauges prior to this date?

Do most of you try to stay within those current specs?

Again curious because I have been buying 45-60-85-105 Stringjoys for the last 2-3 years.
I am about to repurchase another 1/2 dozen sets and since they do custom sets at no additional charge, I was debating whether or not to go with the standard Ric gauges and if I would notice any real difference. My main player is a '88 V63 along with a few others pre 2000.

Thanks
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BMR1911
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Re: Original String Gauges

Post by BMR1911 »

Hi Stephen,
Personally I’ve always used the standard guages for basically two reasons besides thats the guage they came with.
One they’re usually whats on the shelf and two I’ve become comfortable with that guage.
Ive been leery about trying anything heavier due to what happened to my s5, TAIL LIFT! Now mind you I didnt cause it but it was the way I found it in a repair years ago, they said it was unrepairable.

There’s a couple guys in our church praise band that like lighter strings because they are easier/more comfortable to play. Ive also geard some say that you get more sound, better tone, I dunno bout that.

Btw I’ve used DR for years and love em!
Regards, Shawn
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doctorwho
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Re: Original String Gauges

Post by doctorwho »

The 45-55-75-105 gauges have been standard at least since 1999-2000 (the earliest price list I have). There were alternate string sets available prior to ca. 2006. Here is an excerpt from the "Effective January 1 2005" price list:

Screenshot from 2022-02-20 23-29-27.jpg
BMR1911 wrote: Fri Feb 18, 2022 6:33 pm ... Ive been leery about trying anything heavier due to what happened to my s5, TAIL LIFT! Now mind you I didnt cause it but it was the way I found it in a repair years ago, they said it was unrepairable.
Obviously, that repair shop never saw my 5-string tail lift repair thread:

viewtopic.php?t=161788&hilit=tailpiece

.. but that thread is so old, it's now missing its pictures ... :(

Here's what mine looked like starting out:

P1010135.JPG

And this one (a 4003S/5 SPC Blackstar) was totally repairable. (FWIW, the only scenario in which it would be unrepairable would be the one in which the tail piece is actually cracked.) :D 8)
It is better, of course, to know useless things than to know nothing. - Seneca
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lumgimfong
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Re: Original String Gauges

Post by lumgimfong »

Daddario ECB80 works great. No lift on 2016 bridge. Neck straight. Recently switched to Hipshot Ric replacement bridge though for extra weight and better adjustability.
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BMR1911
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Re: Original String Gauges

Post by BMR1911 »

doctorwho wrote: Mon Feb 21, 2022 4:52 am The 45-55-75-105 gauges have been standard at least since 1999-2000 (the earliest price list I have). There were alternate string sets available prior to ca. 2006. Here is an excerpt from the "Effective January 1 2005" price list:


Screenshot from 2022-02-20 23-29-27.jpg

BMR1911 wrote: Fri Feb 18, 2022 6:33 pm ... Ive been leery about trying anything heavier due to what happened to my s5, TAIL LIFT! Now mind you I didnt cause it but it was the way I found it in a repair years ago, they said it was unrepairable.
Obviously, that repair shop never saw my 5-string tail lift repair thread:

viewtopic.php?t=161788&hilit=tailpiece

.. but that thread is so old, it's now missing its pictures ... :(

Here's what mine looked like starting out:


P1010135.JPG


And this one (a 4003S/5 SPC Blackstar) was totally repairable. (FWIW, the only scenario in which it would be unrepairable would be the one in which the tail piece is actually cracked.) :D 8)
Thats about how mine looked, but the bass was in pieces. I got it for a song. Took it home, made a jig to mount tailpiece in. Then carefully heating and straightening got it to lay flat, ran some support screws in and viola solid as a rock. Coincidentally my FL I just recently got had same issue but no where near as bad.
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bassduke49
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Re: Original String Gauges

Post by bassduke49 »

Viola? :lol:
Author: "The Rickenbacker Electric Bass - 50 Years As Rock's Bottom"
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iiipopes
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Re: Original String Gauges

Post by iiipopes »

It will take a search, but over on TalkBass are threads that talk about the gauges of OEM Maxima flats. They are very similar to the current Optima RB set, within a couple of thou on each string as I remember.
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Isaac
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Re: Original String Gauges

Post by Isaac »

bassduke49 wrote: Wed Feb 23, 2022 4:39 pm Viola? :lol:
Viola Lee?
henry_the_horse
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Re: Original String Gauges

Post by henry_the_horse »

T28 wrote: Fri Feb 18, 2022 4:17 pm I am curious as to what were the standard gauges prior to this
date?

Code: Select all

===============================================================
Year  Model              1      2      3      4      Wd.  Alloy
===============================================================
1957  Rickenbacker 4440  0.045  0.056  0.077  0.103  F    430
1979  Rickenbacker 4441  0.045  0.055  0.075  0.105  R    430
1984  Rickenbacker 111   0.045  0.055  0.075  0.105  R    NPS
1984  Rickenbacker 899   0.045  0.056  0.077  0.103  F    430
===============================================================
Introduced in 1957, set 4440 was especially designed for the
4001 bass. Introduced in 1979, set 4441 was especially designed
for the 4003 bass. In 1984 set 899 replaced set 4440 and set 111
replaced set 4441.

Image
1977 price list showing set 4440.

Image
1977 price list showing individual gauges.

Image
1983 price list showing set 4440 as standard for the 4001 bass
and set 4441 as standard for the 4003 bass.

Image
1984 price list showing sets 111 and 899 as standard.
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