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What Strings on a Ric

Betyouaint

Betyouaint

Apr 6, 2003
109
27
wherever I lay my hat...
#1
I've always been a pureist when it comes to stringing my 4003 in that I've only ever used Ric strings. All my other guitars and basses are now fitted with Elixirs after I was converted last year but my Rics have always Ric strings. Any other suggestions from fellow Ric players and how your choice of string affected the tone...?
 
#2
If you like Elixers on your other basses,put a set on the Ric! Don't worry about the purist thing,it's way overblown.I have Elixers on all 8 of my basses from custom 5 strings to a 73 Fender Jazz. It's all good.
 
#3
Personally, I use boomers. I think a Ric sounds best with round wounds, but that's a personal preference as well. Any string will reach its maximum potential when it's on a Ric.

That being said, stay away from super heavy gauges and high tension strings. You may fall victim to the dreaded "tail piece lift"!
 
#7
nysbob said:
I put some DeAddario flats on mine for the paulie sound. I had SS Smith taperwounds on it previously - they both are cool for different things.
Click to expand...

D'Addario chromes for me as well. Love the sound.

Although I really like the ric strings and I wouldn't mind throwing on some Rotosounds RS66's just to hear what they sound like since a lot of people have been using the ric-roto combo for a while.
 
#8
Don't be a "purist," do what you think sounds better, as what you think sounds better is essentially what makes your sound. Change the Ric strings if you find something that feels/sounds better.

Go for roundwounds, flats on a ric aren't exactly the best as rics are very bright basses.

Personally, I suggest DR, not because I'm an employee, but because I like the tonal qualities of the string, they're very bright and they sound fresh but slightly broken in, plus they last forever. If you don't want to use DR, go with Rotosounds or D'Addarios.
 
#11
Betyouaint said:
I've always been a pureist when it comes to stringing my 4003 in that I've only ever used Ric strings. All my other guitars and basses are now fitted with Elixirs after I was converted last year but my Rics have always Ric strings. Any other suggestions from fellow Ric players and how your choice of string affected the tone...?
Click to expand...

DR Hi-Beams or Sunbeams. 40-60-80-100
I had two Rics...used Rotosounds...chewed my frets to smithereens and didn't last very long...plus at least one string from the pack was a thudder out of the package every #@$% time. Also tried Boomers...didn't cut it. DR HB's or SB's are round core, supple, bright, long lasting, smooth sounding and feeling and very balanced...have played them on a lot of different basses, pick-ups & preamps and always prefer them. Second choice...Dean Markley SR2000...
I wish that DR expanded their offerings to include larger and smaller diameter strings...like .150 taper single, .022 wound, .015 and .007 plain steel for extended range players. That and make their larger diameter strings a bit more stable (.120 & up).
 

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