String Choice

steverok · Post by **steverok** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 4:42 am

I really like the sound of the stock Rickenbacker strings on my 360JG, they have a nice percussive sound to them, but I would like to explore a heavier gauge, like 12's. Ric makes 12's for a short-scale guitar, but they are not described as "compressed round wound", like the stock 10's. Does anyone know of some good 12's that are the most similar to the stock Ric strings?

Thanks.

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 5:08 am

Steve: My recommendation would be to stick with the RIC 10s, however, if you wish to experiment with higher gauges with a tone similar (but different) from the stock strings you can try on the GHS string types.

I have substituted the Burnished and Nickel Rocker sets at times which you can get in higher gauges. In the end, I returned to the RIC strings.

I may be mistaken, however, I believe at one point GHS actually produced a line of RIC strings.

steverok · Post by **steverok** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 7:07 am

Why did you switch back to the Ric's? Thanks for the tip.

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 8:38 am

I switched back beacause I found that the RIC strings provided the vintage tonality for which I was looking. The other strings did not give the same sustain and rich sound.

steverok · Post by **steverok** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 8:56 am

I think I am inclined to agree, I wonder why that is. My only wish is that they made them in 12's also.

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 10:08 am

Steve: All plain steel strings are about the same. Why not buy separate plain E B and G strings and then use the RIC wounds for the D A and E. It is a compromise, I agree, but perhpas it may suit you better.

steverok · Post by **steverok** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 10:47 am

Yeah, I'm just trying to keep things simple. I just ordered three sets of Ric strings, but you have a good point, I could use fatter strings for the little guys, which I pluck at good and hard, and take the Ric strings, and use them on another guitar !! Seems too confusing for me, though, I'm sure I'll be happy with the Ric 10's. Thanks again.

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 11:41 am

Does Ric make any flatwound strings?

eggman · Post by **eggman** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:58 pm

Howdy,

For 12's I'm really sold on Pyramid flats. Great tone, longer life.

Larry

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 2:09 pm

Kent: RIC does not make any flatwound strings at this time. One never knows, however, what may be on the horizon. For example, they discontinued a line of bass strings earlier this year and I am not sure what the replacement for them will be.

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 5:56 pm

I'll try them for sure if they do. As it is, I'm sold on the Pyramid flats.