Who actually makes Rickenbacker strings?

ricnvolved · Post by **ricnvolved** » Fri Jan 18, 2002 6:21 pm

I think I mentioned this in another thread, but I'm really curious to know which manufacturer makes the strings with Rickenbacker's name on them. For some reason, I have it in my head that it's GHS, but have no idea if that's really the case.

Anyone know the lowdown on this?

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Sat Jan 19, 2002 4:45 am

When Brian Carman was plant manager GHS Gus strings were used on the 12 strings ...

As to now, it is a good bet that S.I.T makes their strings .

In the 1980's D'Addario strings were also used .

ricnvolved · Post by **ricnvolved** » Sat Jan 19, 2002 9:28 am

Mark-- So there's no real consistency as to which manufacturer's strings are installed at the Ric factory? Does it all come down to economics?

Does Rickenbacker contract out with a manufacturer for a set period of time and at a set price? Does it cover strings for ALL of the different Ric instruments? Or could it possibly be one manufacturer for the bass strings, and another manufacturer for the guitar strings, etc.? I've wondered for a long time how guitar companies go about doing this.

admin · Post by **admin** » Sat Jan 19, 2002 10:23 am

Jeffrey: I consider that there is a most consistent approach with regard to the strings installed at the factory. While the manufacturer of these strings may have changed over the years, RIC is most particular about the quality of strings they choose for their guitars. You can bet that they have chosen the best value out there.

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Sat Jan 19, 2002 1:33 pm

From what Brian Carman told me when he took over the management of the plant in the 1980's after Ward Deaton retired and Bill Myeres passed away ,the issue of strings got handed to him .
At some point the maker of the strings in Germany stopped making them or went out of business ...what ever , they were no longer available .
Brian and I were the two of the leadmen in the finishing building and we privy to conversations that delt with production and materials .We spent a lot of time at bill's house talking on Saturday afternoon , drinking beer and BBQ-ing steak, burgers etc... so when Brian was 'called back' , we startd conversing as we once had once I was 'rediscovered' .

From what he told me and this was at a lunch with Brian and Dick Burke (long time woodshop foreman) they / he had been looking for me to come back as well .
Well I was married and living with 3 daughters in Seattle .. I was not going back .

Anyway ... we discussed brands of strings and how I felt about them , round wounds , 1/2 rounds , flats amd bass strings .Also issues with the guitars and basses .
LOTS of things .

D'Addario was chosen due to their availability .Why Rick chose GHS ,I don't know , but Brian asked me about GUS type of strings and sent me a set to try out .
Personally . I like those strings better than what they are now using ... they are smoother to the touch .Quality wise , I can't compare .
What and why they are using what they use is up to JH .
I have only used a few sets of S.I.T. strings and they are as good as any other well made (read this CNC tooled for consistancy and dimension) string .
This IS one area that John Hall and I agree upon .

ricnvolved · Post by **ricnvolved** » Sat Jan 19, 2002 1:55 pm

Mark-- Thanks for the background on this. As long as Rickenbacker isn't installing the cheapest thing they can get away with at the factory, then I can respect that. However, like anyone else, I have my own particular favorites in strings and it would be nice if one had the option of getting his/her favorite brand installed at the factory. That probably isn't practically feasible, but I DO think having a choice between roundwounds and flatwounds would be. Many Ric owners (myself being one) perhaps have a preference for flatwounds and I would think this would be a reasonable option without making things too difficult at the factory. Whichever string maker Rickenbacker happens to be contracted with could supply a fixed number of flatwound sets, based upon reasonable estimates of how many customers would prefer those.

Or maybe I'm oversimplifying this?

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Sun Jan 20, 2002 4:36 am

They need a string that they feel does what they want and is concictant in quality .

The issue of flats is a personal taste and though it was the standard for many years (1931 to 1075) those days and tastes have changed .

When looking at the vast numbers of strings made and purchased , flats come up fairly low .

Flats ,for guitars.that I can think of off the top of my head are (and not in any specific order of preferance )

D'Addario , Thomastik,
Fender,Gibson,
LaBella,Vinci,Pyramid
and Rotosound

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Jan 20, 2002 5:52 am

Jeffrey and Mark: While choosing a set of strings for your Rickenbacker depends on the sound you want to achieve, in the end, it seems to me that RIC has to balance many factors including: consistency of string quality, availability, and last but not least cost. In an attempt to get the vintage sound one needs to try a wide range of strings, however, it is important to appreciate that Rickenbackers are set up at the factory with the RIC strings and so that changing strings is bound to affect the resulting sound quality. This does not mean, of course, that there aren't many fine strings out there that will sound terrific and be just as suitable. A key point is that the string be of the same gauge and quality as those used by RIC when the instruments are set up at the factory.

While each person has conducted their own experimentation, it is evident from the ongoing String Poll that there are many individual perferences depending on the desired sound, 6 versus 12 string, toaster versus humbucker and so on. I agree with Jeffrey that having a choice os strings installed at the factory would not be practically feasible and would be a nightmare for RIC.

My own experimentation has included RIC, D'Addario, GHS, Fender, Gibson, SIT, Pyramid. I have tried flat and wound round. In the end, I have settled on RIC strings for my Rickenbacker 12 string, Gibson Sonomatic for my Rickenbacker 350 six string and Pyramid Flats for my Rickenbacker 4003. I have tried almost all brands on each instrument. I am sure I will experiment with different types and gauges of strings forever. All things considered, the RIC strings stand up very well, produce a good sound, are consistently even in diameter for the wound strings and are available at a fair price. Remember all swedish steel strings are essential identical no matter who manufactures them.

Should you want to contribute to the database please use the above link. This is a fascinating area of study and of interest to all musicians.

ricnvolved · Post by **ricnvolved** » Sun Jan 20, 2002 11:28 am

For the record, here are my particular favorites:

Pyramid Gold flatwounds on my 4003. Thomastik-Infeld custom gauge Powerbright roundwounds on my 360/12V64. For the moment, my 4004C-I still has the factory original roundwounds, but I'm planning to convert this bass to a fretless and install Thomastik-Infeld Jazz flats.

I'm also using LaBella "Jamerson" flatwounds on my '66 Fender P-bass, and LaBella black nylon tapewounds on my Zeta Crossover. These are very good quality strings. I would not be opposed to using D'Addario chrome flatwounds; and I'm interested in trying DR Sunbeams at some point (perhaps with my 4004C when it becomes a fretless.)

There are certain namebrands I really do not like at all (one in particular being quite popular with both guitar players and bassists), but I'll refrain from mentioning any of them here so as not to ruffle any feathers.

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Jan 20, 2002 12:20 pm

Jeffrey: I have friends who find LaBella flats to be the ultimate in strings for playability and sound. Just in passing, comments made with respect are always welcome regardless of the "ruffling factor." Having said that, your discretion is appreciated. Would you comment on the reasons why you like the Powerbrights?

ricnvolved · Post by **ricnvolved** » Sun Jan 20, 2002 10:17 pm

Peter-- LaBella flatwounds appear (at least to me) to be unfairly overlooked by many bass players. I've never used LaBella's flatwound guitar strings so I can't pass along an informed opinion on those. But the Deep Talking "Jamerson" strings sound exceptional on my P-bass. Certain strings just seem to be made especially for certain basses or guitars, and this would seem to be the case with the Jamerson strings and Fender P-basses. Same thing with the Pyramid Gold flatwounds and a Ric 4003, as you have already discovered for yourself. The Pyramids just seem to be the perfect match for the 4003.

Briefly, for anyone who plays fretless, I encourage you to try a set of the LaBella black nylon flatwounds. These are GOOD quality strings and nothing like the el cheapo Fender brand. The LaBella black nylons go a looooong way in helping my Zeta Crossover get even more of that stand-up tone. Another outstanding combination of instrument and string type.

As for my choice of strings for the 360/12V64........ Before I even ordered my Ric 12-string, I had made up my mind that I was going to follow Pete Townshend's example and use nothing but flatwounds. He recommends this in the interview in Richard Smith's book on Rickenbacker. Well, when I finally put on a set of the Pyramid Gold flatwounds, it sounded okay, but not quite the jangle magic I was expecting. Later on, when I became interested in Thomastik-Infeld strings, I talked with Kevin Reynolds of Connolly and Co. (the exclusive U.S. importer of Thomastik-Infeld) and asked his advice. This guy truly is a class act and went out of his way to come up with a custom gauge set of the Powerbrights for my Ric 12-string. To be honest, I was more than a little dubious about using roundwounds and openly wondered to Kevin why he wasn't recommending flatwounds instead. He more or less asked me to have a little faith in his recommendation and give the Powerbrights a chance.

Man oh man!, am I ever glad I listened to him!! These strings JANGLE! I'm going to try some other brands just to satisfy my curiosity, but at this point it's hard to imagine that anything else out there is going to beat these Powerbrights. Maybe a similar set of Pyramid roundwounds would be as impressive, but probably more expensive and not worth the price difference to the Thomastiks. I'll be sure to report back here to the forum if I find any others worth mentioning.

Thomastik-Infeld strings are a bit expensive, but if you use String Life and spend some time to care of them, you'll get your money's worth. I have no problem paying extra (within reason) for better quality.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Jan 21, 2002 4:01 pm

Jeffrey: A nice review. Thanks for the benefit of your experience. Powerbrights are something I may have to try.

corey · Post by **corey** » Tue Jan 22, 2002 5:51 pm

Anyone know of a site that offers international shipping on Labella? I couldn't seem to find any that ship to the Great White North, but I may be wrong. I'm curious as to what these sound like after reading Jeffery's review of them.

corey · Post by **corey** » Tue Jan 22, 2002 7:12 pm

Never mind, I got hooked up with an URL...

http://www.juststrings.com

Thanks, Mark!

rickengrowl · Post by **rickengrowl** » Sun Mar 10, 2002 6:33 am

In my very humble and personal opinion, original strings on Ricks are very good, especially on basses. I prefer Rotosound RS66 though, but many manufacturers offer poorest quality strings as standard.

However, I still did not find which strings are the very best for jingle-jangle sound on a 6-string 350...