I guess this question is mainly for Charles. I just got my El Degas 4001 copy and I was curious if these basses had the same problem with heavy roundwounds as real 4001s. Real 4001s, for those that don't know, sometimes popped off their fingerboards from the stress of heavy gauge/high tension roundwound strings. This was part of the reason the 4003 had the increased truss system.
I'd like to put some DRs on this bass, but they're pretty tight. Anyone got any info?
Heavy rounds on the RIck Copy?
Re: Heavy rounds on the RIck Copy?
In all honesty I have not removed my TR cover on mine to see if it has a dual truss system like a real Ric. I guess I have a reason to do so now.
For what it's worth I've had absolutely no stability issues with my El Degas 4001 copy, but I mainly like to use "regular light gauge" D'Addario round-wounds.
For what it's worth I've had absolutely no stability issues with my El Degas 4001 copy, but I mainly like to use "regular light gauge" D'Addario round-wounds.
I started ElDegas.com many years ago to help celebrate and inform about El Degas instruments. It all started with a used Ric 4000 bass copy I bought in circa 2000.
El Degas stable as of 03/2022: 42
(13 bass, 26 electric, 3 acoustic)
El Degas stable as of 03/2022: 42
(13 bass, 26 electric, 3 acoustic)Re: Heavy rounds on the RIck Copy?
Alright...now another question. I hadn't noticed this before, but it looks like I've got the infamous bridge lift. Either that, or the bridge is like that normally? The ball end of the string, that part of the bridge isn't sitting flush against the body. Looks like I may be getting a Hipshot replacement.
Re: Heavy rounds on the RIck Copy?
Just popped her open - single truss rod. You might want to stick to light gauge round wounds. I think I may have used medium gauge on mine before, but I tune all my guitars & basses to D Standard (down one full step) so I have less tension all the time.
The bridge thing is normal - it's built that way with the rear portion (where the ball ends are) angled slightly upwards. Mine is that way, and it's 100% stable.
The bridge thing is normal - it's built that way with the rear portion (where the ball ends are) angled slightly upwards. Mine is that way, and it's 100% stable.
I started ElDegas.com many years ago to help celebrate and inform about El Degas instruments. It all started with a used Ric 4000 bass copy I bought in circa 2000.
El Degas stable as of 03/2022: 42 (13 bass, 26 electric, 3 acoustic)
El Degas stable as of 03/2022: 42
(13 bass, 26 electric, 3 acoustic)Re: Heavy rounds on the RIck Copy?
Well, even the 4001s had double truss rods. the 4003 was just strengthened.
I like these strings that are on here enough as it is. I'll find out what they are. On a Rick, the upward angle at the end isn't right. As far as I can tell, it should sit flush with the body. I'm going to get the Hipshot bridge anyway, for ease of intonation and to get the mutes out of the way.
I like these strings that are on here enough as it is. I'll find out what they are. On a Rick, the upward angle at the end isn't right. As far as I can tell, it should sit flush with the body. I'm going to get the Hipshot bridge anyway, for ease of intonation and to get the mutes out of the way.
Re: Heavy rounds on the RIck Copy?
Remember that this is a copy/replica - it's not going to necessarily be 100% faithful to the original. They are not using Ric parts and build specs, so there are discrepancies (tuners, truss rod, etc).
The bridge is certainly built that way on mine - whether the end lifts due to a purposeful design, engineering flaw or weaker metal, or anything else; I could beat a donkey to death with this bass and it will still play in tune
. I certainly see the draw of a bridge replacement, however.
The bridge is certainly built that way on mine - whether the end lifts due to a purposeful design, engineering flaw or weaker metal, or anything else; I could beat a donkey to death with this bass and it will still play in tune
. I certainly see the draw of a bridge replacement, however.I started ElDegas.com many years ago to help celebrate and inform about El Degas instruments. It all started with a used Ric 4000 bass copy I bought in circa 2000.
El Degas stable as of 03/2022: 42 (13 bass, 26 electric, 3 acoustic)
El Degas stable as of 03/2022: 42
(13 bass, 26 electric, 3 acoustic)Re: Heavy rounds on the RIck Copy?
What about flatwounds then? Mine chromes (on a pbass now) have tension on D string for about 20kg. I think I'll have to buy thomastiks (16kg D string) to play - am I right?
Re: Heavy rounds on the RIck Copy?
I don;t have an answer for you - you will be best served with going with your gut and adjusting accordingly. If it feels right to go with the slinkier strings to feel more on the safe side, that's probably a good choice. See how the bass performs and feels stability-wise, and go from there.
Best of luck!
Best of luck!
I started ElDegas.com many years ago to help celebrate and inform about El Degas instruments. It all started with a used Ric 4000 bass copy I bought in circa 2000.
El Degas stable as of 03/2022: 42 (13 bass, 26 electric, 3 acoustic)
El Degas stable as of 03/2022: 42
(13 bass, 26 electric, 3 acoustic)