Rotosound Swing 66s on a Ric 4001

Farfetched · #1 02-10-2010, 01:37 AM

Are they as bad on the neck and frets as people say it is?

Meatrus · #2 02-10-2010, 06:12 AM

You can find plenty of info regarding the frets on here, IME its wayyy over exaggerated, but you should be able to read other peoples opinions with a search. If your bass is a 70s Ric, it could be worse, as I heard they had softer frets then.

The being bad for the neck thing I dont quite get, I think know what you are referring to (fretboard popping? and too much pull?). But it didnt make much sense as the tension on rotosound 66 isnt that bad at all, compared to say their flats. So if Rotos 66 were that bad, the same would happen with most other strings also, I would have thought. Maybe they were referring to heavy gauge rotos.

PJSShearer · #3 02-10-2010, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farfetched

Are they as bad on the neck and frets as people say it is?

No !

mccartneyman · #4 02-10-2010, 01:24 PM

RAn them on my '72 4001 with no problems to neck or frets.

4001 · #5 02-10-2010, 01:26 PM

Been using them on my 4001 since 1981.
No problems.

BigOldHarry · #6 02-10-2010, 01:27 PM

I recall this being one of those "Conventional Wisdom" nuggets back in the '70s - never run a 4001 with Rotos. Why? It will "Break the neck".

I *think* this has to do with the fact that there really weren't many stainless steel strings out back then... and the old 4001 neck was pretty thin. I suspect it was overblown, but is it a shock that the 4003 has a much chunkier neck...?

strappa · #7 02-10-2010, 01:36 PM

Rickenbacker says they designed the bass to use flats
the neck was thin and it was thought that the stainless steel strings would put greater tension on the neck

Chris Squier and Geddy Lee always used Rotos on their 4001
so i guess it is probably fine

i have the Roto 66 on my '09 4003
they sound great. but they are hard on your fingers
roughest strings i have played

AltGrendel · #8 02-10-2010, 01:44 PM

I remember reading an interview with Chris Squire (don't remember where, some mag back in the '80s) about him taking a personal tour of the Rickenbacker factory and they took him to the repair shop and showed him all the Ricks that were in for neck repair because of Rotosound strings.

It does happen, how ofter? I don't know. I've never owned a Rick.