THE RITTER SWORDSTEEL STRINGS

"One day most Bass builders want to sell own bass-strings to their customers. So they pick one of the few big string production companies and buy strings there but with own designed packing. That’s called: Private Label Strings.
I looked for someone, who produces my definitive own strings with my definitive own specifications.
Finally I found somebody and we started to design completely new strings.
We checked countless combinations of diameter, material and tension. Each of the new prototypes I handed out to different professional players and used their opinion to improve the strings.

And now, after almost 2 years of research and development the RITTER SWORDSTEEL STRINGS are ready to play."

MATERIAL
The windings are made of a special high-alloy Steel. The surface is in compare to other high class strings a lot more smooth and compressed. The micro-pores of it are very small and thus your finger sweat is not able to penetrate the strings surface very good. The result is a longer lifetime than standard strings with normal surface steel.

The sound of this steel is extensive dynamic and has also a wonderful brilliance (but with no obtrusively treble developing).

Pictures of a good stringsurface (official pictures of SLV Mannhm.)

Pictures of RITTER SWORDSTEEL STRINGS (official pictures of SLV Mannhm.)

DIAMETERS
The string sizes are no standard measurements. The diameters I decided to use after long research with my steel regarding diameter and scale are: 122-102-82-62-42-32-22
The B and E strings have a tapered core at bridge.

STRING TENSION
This Set is not a traditional HARD or REGULAR or SOFT Tension Set. Each string has its own special calculated tension regarding diameter and scale.
The “thinner” Strings come with less tension for getting bigger amplitude to be able to induct more low-frequencies for an optimal adjustment to the "thicker" strings.
The B- and E-strings come with the highest tension because of not feeling “flappy” and getting a powerful punch on the low end.
The result is a very even-tempered playing feeling over the whole Fingerboard.

Review at BassProfessor Magazine / Germany (2/2004):

"A quick check on RITTER SWORDSTEEL STRINGS!

Swordsteel? Sounds more like “Highlander” than strings. This name makes sense, though. Compared to common strings, the RITTER strings show a considerably smoother wire surface (proved by microscope pictures of SLV Mannhm.).
That means, particles of dirt can hardly collect on the strings` surface and influence its sound. Therefore, they should be much more durable. Me, I play Elixir strings which are known for their long life. I will try and make a comparison between the popular Elixirs and the Swordsteel strings.
Due to the extraordinary thickness of the strings ( 42- 62- 82- 102- 122), the Ritters need a little adjustment. Plus, the Swordsteels have an unusual tension because the higher strings present less tension than the lower ones. Thos, for example makes the G-string swing longer to produce a more voluminous tone than the E- string, which already has a certain volume because of its frequency.
The E- and B- string are tapered, that means, the thick windings do not reach up to unto the bridge. This promises an easier swinging and a long-lasting sustain of the strings.
Of course the wire feels rougher than the coated Elixir ones, but not too much. Their sound is very clear and they seem a little funkier than my Nanowebs in the higher range.
In the midrange they are very present which is especially handy on a fretless.
All strings can be played equally well- as the wrapping tells us, the progressive string tension (meaning the different tension of strings) helps to create an unbelievably homogeneous playability. Nothing is hanging loosely, not even the low B-string, which has a lot of punch.
In the beginning I tested the sound of the Ritters which I do again now, after almost a month and numerous gigs with the same adjustment. These strings do indeed keep their good sound over a long period of time, which, in my opinion almost measures up to the Elixirs.
The prices for a single set are 45 Euro (a-string), 55 Euro (5-string) and 64 Euro (6-string). So, unfortunately the Ritter`s prices also are high-class.
Anyways, the quality makes up for the price- they are worth checking!"

Ove Bosch
Bass Professor Magazine

You can get the SWORDSTEELS HERE