Ric 4001 - needs strings... I need suggestions!

[christw]

So, in a few days (two weeks at worst) I will have a '75 Ric 4001 in my hands. The strings on it are crap, crap, crap. It sat unplayed by a guitarist and GC employee for years. The latter part is irrelevant. I was just informed of this at the time. The bass itself has been relic'd without love throughout its life.

I'm not sure where the Ric will put me. I dig a lot of the tones people get from them. I just don't know what strings are a good idea/bad idea. I've almost ignored their influence on my tone in my years of playing.

I tend to dig in with finger style and sometimes go out of control with a pick. That means fast aggressive riffs with a little bit of preamp drive on both. My tone with a P is the typical aggressive middy tone that sounds great with or without a band. Again, I'd like the ric to land somewhere around there... I'd just guess roundwounds, medium at biggest, and I'm not sure where to look from there. Fret buzz is inevitable with the way I play so it's not a concern in my book.

Suggestions?

[UncleFluffy]

As always, there's many opinions, but one of the common strings for a Ric is the Rotosound RS 66 set so you might want to use that as a starting point.

I'm currently using DR Hi-Beam flats on mine, which feel really nice on the fingers and are still pretty bright. Not the classic Ric tone, but sounds good to me...

[christw]

Thanks. I will definitely look into them.

[bigbajo60]

Whatever strings you end up settling on, make sure you've read through the information contained within this thread:

http://www.rickresource.com/forum/vi...p?f=2&t=387829

...before you do anything having to do with adjusting the truss rods to compensate for string tension.

Rickenbacker basses are wonderful instruments that just need to be "tweaked" in a very particular way that's a bit different from most others.

Good luck!

[UncleFluffy]

or if you want the factory strings:

http://www.rickenbacker.com/cart.asp?category=Strings

(S-111 is the appropriate set, costs more than the rotos though)

[vin*tone]

Medium light Chromes. I love flats on a 4001.

[Mastermold]

I like Ric strings on my Ric basses.

[RickenBoogie]

+1 for the Ric strings. Perfect match. 2nd choice would be Roto's.

[christw]

Haha, I was afraid about adjusting the neck, but I do my own setup / repairs / mods on everything I own. That info sure helped.

Also, I might go for both Ric and Roto and decide what I like the most...

[Mr. Mig]

I have Roto 77's on my 4003. Those flats sound great.

[lug]

I use D'Addario ProSteels on mine. More bite than a killer whale munching on a baby seal.

[Ric5]

I suggest you use 4 strings ... as per brand use your favorite.