What kind of strings for my 620?
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
What kind of strings for my 620?
Which strings should I use on my 620 for playing distorted electric blues type stuff like Black Keys,White Stripes etc? Rick strings?
Mitch,
I see that no one is rushing to your aid just yet, so I'll provide some thoughts. Hopefully useful ones.
I also play blues. I don't have a 620 but I occasionally play blues on my 350. I use the best quality strings that I can get my hands on. What you are looking for is uniformity in diameter over the length of the string.
If you don't like a lot of string noise then certainly go with Ric strings or Pyramid flats. They are good quality strings. The Pyramids are quite stiff though, so they may cramp your style if you do a lot of solo work.
Personally because I play both rhythm and lead simultaneously I use Martin round wound .010 strings for my 350 that I buy in bulk or on occasion if my supplier is out I use packaged Darco Strings by Martin.
They are both, inexpensive and uniform. Why does this matter? Not all strings are created equal. For a string to accurately vibrate and produce the notes you are attempting to obtain it must be uniform in diameter its entire length. This requires string manufacturers to draw their strings to a precise tolerance. If your string diameters vary over the length then you will experience intonation problems.
I see that no one is rushing to your aid just yet, so I'll provide some thoughts. Hopefully useful ones.
I also play blues. I don't have a 620 but I occasionally play blues on my 350. I use the best quality strings that I can get my hands on. What you are looking for is uniformity in diameter over the length of the string.
If you don't like a lot of string noise then certainly go with Ric strings or Pyramid flats. They are good quality strings. The Pyramids are quite stiff though, so they may cramp your style if you do a lot of solo work.
Personally because I play both rhythm and lead simultaneously I use Martin round wound .010 strings for my 350 that I buy in bulk or on occasion if my supplier is out I use packaged Darco Strings by Martin.
They are both, inexpensive and uniform. Why does this matter? Not all strings are created equal. For a string to accurately vibrate and produce the notes you are attempting to obtain it must be uniform in diameter its entire length. This requires string manufacturers to draw their strings to a precise tolerance. If your string diameters vary over the length then you will experience intonation problems.
“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
By the way Mitch, my main guitars are Strats. I always use Fender Bullets on them. The Bullet ends seat very well into the trem block. As a result my guitars stay in tune no matter what sort of fretboard gymnastics I get involved with.
I also use Martin strings on my Les Paul.
I also use Martin strings on my Les Paul.
“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
You're welcome Mitch
I am not certain of this; but logical deductive reasoning tells me that are probably in the minority when it comes to playing blues on the forum. That's why I thought I would share my experience. I'm glad that it was of some use.
I am not certain of this; but logical deductive reasoning tells me that are probably in the minority when it comes to playing blues on the forum. That's why I thought I would share my experience. I'm glad that it was of some use.
“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
Mitch,
Here is a quote that may be appropriate any time you feel that you are not gaining ground.
I want to remind you that success in life is based on hard slogging. There will be periods when discouragement is great and upsetting, and the antidote for this is calmness and fortitude and a modest yet firm belief in your competence. Be sure that your priorities are in order so that you can proceed in a logical manner, and be ever mindful that nothing will take the place of persistence.
- Publisher and philanthropist Walter Annenberg in a letter to his son
Here is a quote that may be appropriate any time you feel that you are not gaining ground.
I want to remind you that success in life is based on hard slogging. There will be periods when discouragement is great and upsetting, and the antidote for this is calmness and fortitude and a modest yet firm belief in your competence. Be sure that your priorities are in order so that you can proceed in a logical manner, and be ever mindful that nothing will take the place of persistence.
- Publisher and philanthropist Walter Annenberg in a letter to his son
“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
More than one famous person echoed the theme of Walter Annebergs' letter.
here is Calvin Coolidge,,,
"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent.
Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
We all started from scratch. Sometimes we (me included) forget the long hard sessions that finally elevated our playing status to "worth a listen" It does take hard work and determination but once you reach the first pinnacle the rest are in reach with yet more hard work.
Good luck Mitch you were a musician from the day you set your heart on learning to play your 620 and don't let any one tell otherwise.
here is Calvin Coolidge,,,
"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent.
Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
We all started from scratch. Sometimes we (me included) forget the long hard sessions that finally elevated our playing status to "worth a listen" It does take hard work and determination but once you reach the first pinnacle the rest are in reach with yet more hard work.
Good luck Mitch you were a musician from the day you set your heart on learning to play your 620 and don't let any one tell otherwise.
“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
Mitch, I have a 620 and I use D'Addario 11s on it. The guitar tech that worked on it said that they were extremely consistent in their manufacturing process. I've been very happy with them, myself. I play a little bit of everything, including blues, and I think the 620 is just about perfect. I hope you find yours to be the same.
On the "hard work" note, I saw this quote on the back of a kids t-shirt at a high school football game last Friday (my son is in the marching band), "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." I'm not all that concerned about the next generation coming along - as long as they read their shirts, that is.
Stay with it, you'll be fine.
On the "hard work" note, I saw this quote on the back of a kids t-shirt at a high school football game last Friday (my son is in the marching band), "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." I'm not all that concerned about the next generation coming along - as long as they read their shirts, that is.
Stay with it, you'll be fine.
I'm workin' on the blues too, Mitch. Got myself a great book (with CDs), a couple of 'Band In Pocket' blues CDs and a licks DVD. Haven't had a chance to really get into it yet, but I'm playing around with chords - great fun.
Standard Rick strings on my 620 sound and feel great!
Mind you, I am colouring the sound a fair bit with pedals..........
Standard Rick strings on my 620 sound and feel great!
Mind you, I am colouring the sound a fair bit with pedals..........
"Never eat more than you can lift." - Mr. Moon
Wow!Thanks for all your kind words of advice and inspiration guys.While I don't have any natural talent I do have perserverance in abundance so I will continue to soldier on.Tommorrow I will receive a new Weapon of Mass Destruction: a Ricky 330/12 Woo-Hoo!Can I play the blues on a 12?Didn't Leadbelly play a 12-string?Now I have to buy that Roger McGuinn DVD.
Mitch post pics of the 330/12. It's nice to share in the joy of a Ric that has found a good home.
I have a 360/12WB in JG. I just love it. Besides playing other peoples music I also write my own material and have done so for years. Each guitar I own adds a different dimension for inspiration. My Strats always cause me to play the blues. My Rics on the other hand always inspire my creative juices towards ballads and hard rock songs. I don't know why that is but they do. Strange but true. Enjoy your 330/12. Hopefully it will provide you with lots of inspiration also.
I have a 360/12WB in JG. I just love it. Besides playing other peoples music I also write my own material and have done so for years. Each guitar I own adds a different dimension for inspiration. My Strats always cause me to play the blues. My Rics on the other hand always inspire my creative juices towards ballads and hard rock songs. I don't know why that is but they do. Strange but true. Enjoy your 330/12. Hopefully it will provide you with lots of inspiration also.
“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
Hey Mitch,
I thought that when you said you were just learning that you meant just learning guitar. I just spotted another thread where you talk about tonal aspects of your Duo Sonic, your Melody Maker and your Vox amps etc. My apologies mate you obviously have invested quite a bit of time in the craft so to speak. My posts probably seemed like over kill given that scenario.
Its never good to assume anything. I should know that by now. It would still be nice to see pics of your 330/12.
I thought that when you said you were just learning that you meant just learning guitar. I just spotted another thread where you talk about tonal aspects of your Duo Sonic, your Melody Maker and your Vox amps etc. My apologies mate you obviously have invested quite a bit of time in the craft so to speak. My posts probably seemed like over kill given that scenario.
Its never good to assume anything. I should know that by now. It would still be nice to see pics of your 330/12.
“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein