New strings for a Rickenbacker 4003S/5?

[Bass4LifeRS]

Hey. I got the new 5-string Rickenbacker and have been playing it for close to a year now. I think it's time to replace the stock strings, but what with? Anyone have any luck with a particular set?

 

[GTHintz]

I've never had the 5 string but the 4 string seems to be made for Dunlop strings, Rotosound sounds great as always, Dean Markley Blue Steels would suit well, Labella RX. If you want a thumpy flat wound vibe there's always chromes or labellas.

 

[GTHintz]

I see you are in Norway. If it's easier to get European strings Warwick black label would be another good option for you. I've tried Galli strings and they are nice. I haven't tried Mayones strings but once again, it's hard to go wrong with the boutique strings. All are awesome quality.

 

[Bass4LifeRS]

Wow many good suggestions here. I have used Dunlop Super Brights on other basses so I like those. Never tried rotosound or warwick strings, though I have heard of them many times. I guess I gotta buy and try some then

 

[GTHintz]

Wow many good suggestions here. I have used Dunlop Super Brights on other basses so I like those. Never tried rotosound or warwick strings, though I have heard of them many times. I guess I gotta buy and try some then

Since you have a Ric it's almost a rite of passage to try a set of swing bass strings on it. So many legends swear by them. I have a set of Warwick strings waiting to be used. What's interesting is that in the past people have compared Warwick strings to Rotosound and said that they have a similar feel and sound.

 

[Bass4LifeRS]

Since you have a Ric it's almost a rite of passage to try a set of swing bass strings on it. So many legends swear by them. I have a set of Warwick strings waiting to be used. What's interesting is that in the past people have compared Warwick strings to Rotosound and said that they have a similar feel and sound.

But aren't they very rough on the fingers? I lean towards smoother feeling strings

 

[GTHintz]

Here's my take on that. Objectively all round wound strings are very similar in texture. It litterally comes down to how thick the final wrap is and everyone's is a little different. Depending on how you play and how your finger texture is you might like something or not. Some guys really like Dr strings for instance. I think they are really smooth but for some reason I noticed my skin getting more raw than normal and I think it was due to the outer wrap and how I was trying to dig in harder because I wasn't feeling the grab I'm used to. Everyone is a little different. What strings are you playing right now? That'll be a good gauge for me to compare. I've tried almost everything imaginable. I'm a string nerd.

 

[Bass4LifeRS]

Here's my take on that. Objectively all round wound strings are very similar in texture. It litterally comes down to how thick the final wrap is and everyone's is a little different. Depending on how you play and how your finger texture is you might like something or not. Some guys really like Dr strings for instance. I think they are really smooth but for some reason I noticed my skin getting more raw than normal and I think it was due to the outer wrap and how I was trying to dig in harder because I wasn't feeling the grab I'm used to. Everyone is a little different. What strings are you playing right now? That'll be a good gauge for me to compare. I've tried almost everything imaginable. I'm a string nerd.

Ooh, good question. On my Marleaux 5-string I use Marleaux strings , previously it had EB Slinkys which I liked. On the Rick it's stock, on a Stingray 5 I got the cobalt/slinky flats, On the Fender jazz 4-str it's the D'Addario Xtb 45100 Nickel-plated Steel, feels good. Long time favourite is the Dunlop superbrites. Also have a 4 with Chromes (33" scale so extra tension is good). Previous P-bass had TI-flats which I really liked. GHS boomers are the worst I ever tried. That's all I can remember for now

 

[GTHintz]

Ooh, good question. On my Marleaux 5-string I use Marleaux strings , previously it had EB Slinkys which I liked. On the Rick it's stock, on a Stingray 5 I got the cobalt/slinky flats, On the Fender jazz 4-str it's the D'Addario Xtb 45100 Nickel-plated Steel, feels good. Long time favourite is the Dunlop superbrites. Also have a 4 with Chromes (33" scale so extra tension is good). Previous P-bass had TI-flats which I really liked. GHS boomers are the worst I ever tried. That's all I can remember for now

I thought boomers suck too. Not bad strings but the opposite of what I need for tone. If you like super bright dunlops you'll definitely appreciate Rotosound. I liked rotos before trying Dunlop and thought they have something in common. Dean Markley Blue Steels are another string that quickly became a favorite of mine. They are stainless strings with a thick tone and have a richer overall sound than say DiAdarrio pro steel that are very snappy but scooped and to me it makes it sound thinner. It sounds like you prefer nickel plated so any of those I mentioned are available in nickel too. I'm wierd in that I like stainless but not too scooped. I prefer a more well rounded string so I can bring out the natural mid growl in whatever bass I'm playing. I find it's a lot better than trying to artificially scoop like a lot of people do.

 

[Bass4LifeRS]

I thought boomers suck too. Not bad strings but the opposite of what I need for tone. If you like super bright dunlops you'll definitely appreciate Rotosound. I liked rotos before trying Dunlop and thought they have something in common. Dean Markley Blue Steels are another string that quickly became a favorite of mine. They are stainless strings with a thick tone and have a richer overall sound than say DiAdarrio pro steel that are very snappy but scooped and to me it makes it sound thinner. It sounds like you prefer nickel plated so any of those I mentioned are available in nickel too. I'm wierd in that I like stainless but not too scooped. I prefer a more well rounded string so I can bring out the natural mid growl in whatever bass I'm playing. I find it's a lot better than trying to artificially scoop like a lot of people do.

Thanks so much!

 

[GTHintz]

Thanks so much!

You're welcome. Hopefully more people show up and give you some other perspectives.

 

[eriky4003]

If you like the Dunlop Super Brights, get the Marcus Miller signature DSB. Similar tone to Roto 66s.

 

[alembicbones]

I use Rotosound 66 Nickels on my 4003s/5. I've found that they voice the bass exactly to my taste. Great rock tone with a little more subtlety than stainless.

Bones

 

[Deleted member 271037]

Wow many good suggestions here. I have used Dunlop Super Brights on other basses so I like those. Never tried rotosound or warwick strings, though I have heard of them many times. I guess I gotta buy and try some then

Just be aware that Ricks are 33.25" scale. That's almost halfway to medium scale compared to most other long scale basses. Dunlop Super Brights have an unusually supple feel for a hex core string, to the point where they feel more like round core strings IMO. This flexibility MIGHT not be a good thing with the drop in tension you get on a shorter scale instrument. I would be slightly concerned about a floppier feel and potentially fret buzz. I've never tried the Super Brights on a Rick myself so I'm not saying this WILL be an issue but I think it's something you need to be aware of unless you're 100% sure you won't mind a slightly floppier/looser feel than with Super Brights on your 34" basses.

As for the classic combination of Rotosound 66s and Ricks: It's just that, a classic combination made famous by ONE player (Chris Squire) playing a vintage Rick. It's a great tone but even FOUR string Ricks haven't had that excact tone for decades (different pickups/electronics in current Ricks). The 5-string Ricks even have different pickups than the current 4-strings Ricks. Any reference to the classic "Rick+Roto"-tone is therefore irrelevant at this point IMO. If you want "that" tone you'll have to get a vintage Rick.

This doesn't mean Rotos won't wound sound great on your 5-string Rick. Every bass players should try Rotosound 66 Swing Bass at some point. The snarling, aggressive mids of Roto 66s are totally unique. Love them or hate them... they have a completely different tone compared to ANY other stainless steel strings. They're CLASSIC on P-basses too btw, not to mention J-basses (Jaco!).

The reputation Rotos have for being rough on the fingers is blown out of proportions IMO. Yes, they have a SLIGHTLY rougher surface than MOST other strings but it you play bass regularly your fingers shouldn't have any problems whatsoever with Rotos. I think Rotos reputation for being rough (and eating frets) actually came from the classic Rick+Roto combination. Rickenbacker used poor quality fretwire back in the days. Lots of people used Rotos on Ricks for "that" tone. Frets got worn out prematurely and Rotos got the blame even though ANY strings would eat the poor quality frets on vintage Ricks.

I have no idea about the quality of the Roto 66 B-string though (and I have a feeling 99% of people recommending Rotos will never have tried the 5-string sets either).