Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi all, I am new to your forum. I have searched for this information, and haven't been able to locate anything conclusive. If I just missed it, then I apologize.

I currently own a 1994 4003 mapleglo, and have an opportunity to get a 1977 4001.
I need to know if I can safely use rotosound stainless roundwound 45,65,80,105.
This is what I use on the 4003.
Thanks for your time.

Hi Mike, and welcome aboard!

You can use Rotos on the 4001, but I know that several of my fellow forumites use bass strings with less tension on their 4001's such as Thomastik-Infeld flats. Just be aware that if you do use the Rotos, you may have to tweak the truss rods. I'm sure that my "colleagues" will chime in with their advice. Good luck! This is a great place to hang out and learn some things.

Thank you for the warm welcome! And sharing your knowledge.
I don't want to invest in a classic bass and then ruin it.
On the other hand, I like those strings, I have tried lighter ones and I just can't get a feel for them.
Thanks again!

I would be careful, you can try them and if the neck bows a lot I wouldn't use them. Some old 4001's have necks like steel, others have weaker necks. I have a few of both. Also be prepared to wear out your frets quickly, especially if you like low action and fretbuzz.

If you put roundwounds on an old 4001 you are stressing the neck beyond its design specs ... but almost all of the old necks hold up just fine ... Rics and roundwounds are a match made in heaven ... when I used to own and play old 4001 basses I always used roundwound strings ... I prefer nickel wound strings because of the vintage tone and they are easier on the frets ...

Ric RW's nickel's sound really good and last a long time.

Thanks to all who have helped me.
I now have definitive information from people with experience.
No substitute for that.

Welcome Mike, give D'Addario XL-170's a try. they are guaged .45 .65 .80 .100. This set works great for all my Ricks. They are nickle roundwounds and have a real nice feel.

Chris Squire has used rounds (Rotos?) on his '64 for more than 30 years. I use DR highbeams on my '63. I like DR's because they are soft and easy on the neck. Years ago (late 70's) , I used Fender flats. When I switched to Rotos I actually had to let some tension off of the rods. Rotos have a reputation for being high load strings (and they are). If you look at the Thomastik website, they post loading data for each string type and gauge. According to their tables, their flats consistently pull more than their rounds for the same or similar gauge. I don't think it is fair to say that all rounds pull more than all flats or the even other way around. Each string brand and type has to be taken as an individual case. IMHO there are no absolutes. In his book on guitar repair Dan Erlewine states as a general rule that flat wound strings pull harder than rounds.

I use DR Nickel Lo-Riders on my 4003. DR's are the only rounds I consider using on my Ricks because they are real easy on the frets and they sound great! Plus, I don't like having re-fret jobs done on my basses. They are way too expensive, and time consuming for me.

Rotosound makes a good string ... but they don't make a good low B ... DR and D'addario both make good strings ... Ric strings are good ... sometimes Guitar Center has strings called Musician's choice or something similar ... they cost less and sound pretty good ...

Fender flats are the highest tension strings I have ever used, their med lights are tighter than any other normal gauge string that I can think of. There mediums are like telephone lines, I used to use them on my V63's for a good upright sound playing in a rick a billy band. They have great thump if that is what you are looking for, and I have actually used them on certain 4001's (med lights), but as a rule I wouldn't. I have read many times in these pages that the flatwounds of today are made differently than the flatwounds of yesterday, the cores today are much thicker hence the higher tension. although I think Fenders have always been on the high tension side, I use to use them back in the late 60's early 70's. Ric 4001's originally came with very low tension flats which are no longer made.
The last four sets of Rots that I have bought; 2 RW's and 2 flats all had dead strings in the sets right out of the box and this spans a ten year time.
Ric RW's and med. light Blue Steels are both nice sounding strings, not harsh like certain other RW's

For about the last 4 months, I've been using Elixir's. They're coated with "nano-web" technology. I've really enjoyed them. They tend to have a brighter sound than the original Ric strings and they feel exceptionally smooth for roundwound strings. Just my $.02

Than all of you for your responses.
Someone else got the 4001 before me, but when I find another, I have a much clearer idea about strings for it.
: )