Strings for Rickenbacker 4003

sneha1965 · #1 11-13-2009, 01:50 PM

I have been using Rotosound Swing Bass strings for years and would like to try something new. I love the tone of the Roto's but don't like what they do it my frets. What other types of strings are you guys using to get that Christ Squire/Geddy Lee tone that might be a little easier on the frets? Thanks in advance!

lowregister · #2 11-13-2009, 02:43 PM

To me the Rotosound 66 were so good out of the box, they lost that unique charm pretty quickly. Their broken in tone is still wonderfully novel, but the broken in tone of the DR Lo-Riders Stainless steel beats the Rotosounds IMO. The lo-riders are well-loved on this forum. Definitely worth a try.

sneha1965 · #3 11-13-2009, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowregister

To me the Rotosound 66 were so good out of the box, they lost that unique charm pretty quickly. Their broken in tone is still wonderfully novel, but the broken in tone of the DR Lo-Riders Stainless steel beats the Rotosounds IMO. The lo-riders are well-loved on this forum. Definitely worth a try.

OK. I like what I'm hearing. How do they treat the frets?

KaizerWilhelm · #4 11-13-2009, 02:51 PM

I use the Lo-Riders Stainless Steels and I love them. They're not to bad on the frets. The only time I see any fret ruining is when I dig really hard with my fretting hand. Personally, I think it sounds better when there is a screwed up fret. Just me though. Try 'em out, you'll love 'em.

sneha1965 · #5 11-13-2009, 02:54 PM

I have a few songs where I'm actually bending strings which tends to eat the frets. I'll check out the Lo-Riders and if there are any other suggestions.....?

kcole4001 · #6 11-13-2009, 02:58 PM

I like D'Addario medium nickels.
I love the growly tone of the RIC strings, but the tension is slightly too light.
I like to dig in hard quite often, and lighter strings just don't cut it.

rob4001va · #7 11-13-2009, 03:02 PM

DR makes a Lo Rider nickel as well, which I prefer on my Ricks.

RickenBoogie · #8 11-13-2009, 04:32 PM

Rotosound does a nickel set too. Pretty nice, a bit less zing, but they last alot longer. Also, look into some Ernie Ball Slinky's. Those can be pretty zingy as well.

EagleMoon · #9 11-13-2009, 06:18 PM

Hi-Beams baby!

**f64** · #10 11-14-2009, 09:46 PM

+1 DR Hi-Beams Produce that great church bell sound Rics are known for. I've used Roto 66's (okay), DR Black Beauties (much better) then I was scolded by the DR rep for not using Hi-Beams. Put the Black Beauties back on my Thumb and won't use anything but Hi-Beams on my 4003 now. I was searching around since the 4003 is a new 2009 and the neck hasn't calmed down yet. I went through this back in the 80's with a 4001 that took 2 years for the neck to dry out and settle in. You can't go wrong with Hi-Beams on a Ric.

**f64** · #11 11-14-2009, 09:50 PM

+1 Hi-Beams. Produce that great church bell sound Rics are known for. I've used Roto 66's (okay), DR Black Beauties (much better) then I was scolded by the DR rep for not using Hi-Beams. Put the Black Beauties back on my Thumb and won't use anything but Hi-Beams on my 4003 now. I was searching around since the 4003 is a new 2009 and the neck hasn't calmed down yet. I went through this back in the 80's with a 4001 that took 2 years for the neck to dry out and settle in. You can't go wrong with Hi-Beams on a Ric.

bassboysam · #12 11-15-2009, 12:07 PM

Try some Chromes. I was pleasantly surprised with tone and feel of them on my Rics. Lots of growl an presence.

El Tookay · #13 11-16-2009, 04:53 PM

D'addario ProSteels have the Roto-esque tone, and are somewhat easier on frets. If you want the growl and fast attack of stainless with the rich mids of nickels, try the DR FatBeams.

Slats · #14 11-16-2009, 05:35 PM

You can order Rick strings which is what the manufacturer ships them out with. They do sound great. If I remember right they are S.I.T. strings with a guage that is a bit different than off the shelf Power Wound Nickels.

Try the Ricks that the 4003 comes with to see if you like them. IMHO Frank

guitfiddle0409 · #15 11-16-2009, 05:46 PM

I like the stock nickel Rick strings too. I had heard they were made by D'Addario, however, but who knows?

I have also noticed that Curt Mangan makes an identical gauge (105-75-55-45) nickel set that is sold at the Pick of Ricks site.

http://www.pickofthericks.com/store_potr/

Slats · #16 11-16-2009, 07:13 PM

Hey Guitfiddle0409, I didn't mention Pickofthericks, but that is where I get Pyramids from too. They are great for stuff like this. The Curt Mangan strings I haven't tried, but I don't think they manufacture strings.

Rick strings I believe the RICK CEO or somebody from there implied were ordered from S.I.T. ...who I understand to be a manufacturer of strings.

I don't have an affiliation with anyone mentioned, or otherwise, just an interest in the same stuff. JMHO

guitfiddle0409 · #17 11-16-2009, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slats

The Curt Mangan strings I haven't tried, but I don't think they manufacture strings.

Yeah -- you're probably right. I guess they were not actually made by Curt Mangan, but if they stock them at POR they're probably pretty decent. I still use the Rick strings on my 4003. For my 4004 I use a slightly lighter GHS set.

Slats · #18 11-16-2009, 07:29 PM

sneha1965, Try some Ricks, let us know! Got to order them though. I don't think anyone has them over the counter.

UncleFluffy · #19 11-16-2009, 07:31 PM

I'm using Rotos right now, but before that I was using DR Hi Beam Flats. Very nice sound, still a Ric, but the best analogy I'd use is the difference between coffee with cream and coffee without.

edit: just reread the OP - no, this is not a way of sounding like Geddy Lee, sorry!

sneha1965 · #20 11-17-2009, 08:49 AM

I'm still waiting for Lo-Riders to show. At this point I'm just trying one set at a time. I'll go through them and will post my thoughts after trying. I will try some of the others you all have suggested. Rick's, D'addario ProSteels, and the DR Hi-Beams, but on my budget it may take a bit of time to get there. More late and thanks for your suggestions.