Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I still have the original strings on my 4003 that came from the factory. Soon they will need to be changed. My question is : Do different strings affect the sound? The Ric has a distinctive sound and I know that my Fender P bass sounds different depending on the strings, so does my Jazz, and my Carvin. When I change the strings on the Ric, should I stay with Ric strings? change to another type? Rounds or flats? 105s or 95s? I play classic rock mostly

Welcome Greg. Personally, I would try different types and brands of strings, you may find something that you like even better. I use D'Addario Chromes (40-55-75-95) as I want a tone that is rounder but still cuts well without getting too harsh sounding. I find that it fits in well with the music I play. I also do not get any finger noise with them and they are gentler on the frets. I have them on all my Ricks, '67 4005WB, '73 4001, '03 4004Cii and '04 4003FL. The lighter guage is friendlier to the necks and lighter strings also have more overtones and better harmonics.

Greg, welcome to the forum, I agree with Jeff, try various types and brands, however there's nothing wrong with keeping the original Rick strings if you like the sounds of them.

There's a host of tones out there just by changing Strings. I uses Ernie Ball Slinkies on my 4003, and am just about to start the same quest you are on my v63.

Jeff,
Are those D'Addario's generaly available, I seem to remember you saying they were a special order, if so are you getting them direct from D'Addario.

I order a super soft guage set ECB80 (40-60-75-95) www.juststrings.com/dad-ecb80.html plus a single .055 string CB055 www.juststrings.com/dad-cb055.html; I throw away the .060 that comes with the set. The .060 string has more tension than the other and by doing this the strings have a more balanced feel to them. This is cheaper than ordering all singles.

What kind of music do you play?

Do you play in a band?

The reason being, If you play kind of hard, I wouldnt recomend the lighter guage strings that Jeff is suggesting, although great sounding, you may want something that is closer to the strings that came on the bass from the factory. In which case I personally would suggest D'Addario XL-170 nickle roundwounds. They are very similar to the standard Rick strings and are very long lasting.

By the way WELCOME !

Thanks for the welcome all.
Scott, yes I play in a band. We mostly play classic rock with a southern bent (Skynyrd, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Wet Willie) with a few newer tunes thrown in as well as old standards. I kind of like the sound Paul Goddard got with his Mapleglo.
Jeff, You say lighter guage is more neck friendly than the 105s that came on it? Is there a neck issue? I read that somewhere

my favorite strings these days are copley medium gauge nickle round wound ... .045 .065 .085 .105 .125

No neck issues, just less tension is always better IMHO.

Personally I use Rotosound stainless steel roundwounds, usually 40-95 but currently 45-105, mainly for bit more for a bit more string to hold onto when playing live, what with singing and jumping around! I like the tension of the Rotos (even the 45s are pretty flexible, contrary to popular opinion)and I love their aggressiveness; kind of like an angry piano! Nickels sound sweet but lack a bit of grind for me; depends what you're doing though. Try as many brands as you can and see which you like. And changing the strings can make a vast difference both sound and feel wise, but ultimately it's up to you which strings you prefer.

Jeff JPS I think your answer may be the way to go with the 8 string I will be working on. I like the use of the 55 gauge string. That has to reduce the tension, using this setup, enough to compensate for adding 4 smaller guitar strings.

Gee, you're finding tips all over the place here for your 8 stringer, great!

Randy, check out RIC stock 4003/s8 strings. The gauges are at RIC's site and Mike Parks I beleive.

ya know alls I need are the DR "Black Beauty" strings for the S/8...

Too black?

I have been using Ernie Ball Slinkies (nickel) either 45-105 or 40-95...I like the lighter ones more I think. I can work those strings and they don't pass out as quickly as some others.

Yeah, Can't get an answer to any of the questions I ask directly? Lots of encouragement comments and a few, "don't do it's"! but lot's of info in here if you look around enough.
Trying to come up with the numbers on the actual tension that is on a set of standard Ric factory strings? I want to compare this to the set you mentioned earlier Jeffrey. I will bet the difference is going to be close to the added tension generated by 4 guitar strings. Jaymi I am looking into any company that makes a nice extra light set of strings for an 8. 40-95's are going to be the answer for me I am sure.