Ernie Ball 12-String 8-40 Gauge

[Mrbigg]

Has anyone tried the Ernie Ball 12-String Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings, 8-40 Gauge (P02230), on their 12 string Ric?
I just ordered a couple sets to try out. Been using the standard Rickenbacker set (10 to 46). I’ve used the 9 to 46 Ernie’s on my now departed, 12 string Stratocaster and thought they were decent strings.
I have two 360/12’s and, a 2002 with a thicker neck and a 2021 with a thinner neck. The ‘21 requires more truss rod adjustments in spring and fall compared to the “baseball bat” neck on the ‘02.
The thicker neck just seems more stable.
I’m hoping that the thinner strings might help the movement because of the decrease in tension.

[fabandgear]

I use the EB .008s on both my ''66 360/12 and 360/12V64. Both guitars sound great with them. I play the guitars with and without the Janglebox and still get a nice, well-balanced sound. A friend from school, who plays an acoustic 12 string was over a while ago and I showed him the V64. After playing it, he handed it back and said "Man! This axe plays so easy, it's almost like cheating!"

[Mrbigg]

Sweet man, thanks!

[mike_d]

I use the EB .008s on both my ''66 360/12 and 360/12V64. Both guitars sound great with them. I play the guitars with and without the Janglebox and still get a nice, well-balanced sound. A friend from school, who plays an acoustic 12 string was over a while ago and I showed him the V64. After playing it, he handed it back and said "Man! This axe plays so easy, it's almost like cheating!"

Man, I’ve found it nearly impossible to use an .08 gauge without breaking them. I’ll bet they are easy to play once installed. I may have to give them a try, very carefully.

[fabandgear]

Years ago, I always used Rickenbacker's .010 12 string set. Curiously, I liked .011 Chet Atkins sets on my 6 strings, but the .010s were just so uncomfortable for me on my 360/12, that I started using a customized set of '009s, using Ernie Ball Super Slinkys with added single strings to form a 12 string set. I think my Gretsch 6075 12 string still has this gauge on it. My brother ordered a box of EB .008 12 String Slinkys, so I experimented with them on my Rick and they were perfect for my playing style. My brother tried a set on his Vox Phantom XII, but they didn't have enough tension for it's neck. I think he got a D'Addario .010 set to try out on the Vox.

[collin]

I tried the Ernie Ball Slinky set (8-40) and found it was hard to keep in tune and set intonation (particularly for vintage 60s Ricks).

Instead, my preferred set these days are the Ernie Ball nickel wound custom gauge (9-46), with a wound G. They're low tension strings, but large enough gauge for intonation to set perfectly.

Plus I really like the sound, much livelier than flatwounds and these strings are quite inexpensive.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... gs-009-046

[mike_d]

I tried the Ernie Ball Slinky set (8-40) and found it was hard to keep in tune and set intonation (particularly for vintage 60s Ricks).

Instead, my preferred set these days are the Ernie Ball nickel wound custom gauge (9-46), with a wound G. They're low tension strings, but large enough gauge for intonation to set perfectly.

Plus I really like the sound, much livelier than flatwounds and these strings are quite inexpensive.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... gs-009-046

Thanks, Collin. Those certainly are worth checking out.

[jdogric12]

I used a set once as a lazy way to avoid having to do a neck reset.

I ended up doing the neck reset.

[Mrbigg]

Update- after various weather changes, the neck is super stable now. No problems with tuning stability either.
This winter, I’ll switch the other 360/12 over to the same strings. I do like the way bends are easier when soloing.
I was worried about the thin bass strings not have enough low end but a quick twist of the amp knob and we’re all good.

[andyenobs]

Can someone tell me what is wrong with the standard Rickenbacker strings.
I have always used them on my 660/12TP, 330/6mg, 660/6mg, & 660/12mg all of which I have now sold on, and my current 360/6 walnut and 360/12 walnut and I have never had a problem with either tone or life. So what is the problem ?

[collin]

Can someone tell me what is wrong with the standard Rickenbacker strings.
I have always used them on my 660/12TP, 330/6mg, 660/6mg, & 660/12mg all of which I have now sold on, and my current 360/6 walnut and 360/12 walnut and I have never had a problem with either tone or life. So what is the problem ?

Availability.

You can buy Ernie Ball strings in any music store, RIC strings are only available online (and inconsistently so).

[andyenobs]

I am in the UK so normally a Rickenbacker dealer will normally stock the strings so no problem here,