Keeping Your 12-String In Tune

[drumbob]

When I took my 330-12 in for tweaking recently, my tech changed the strings and I don't know what he put on there. I do know that most of the higher strings are .008. I have taken it back twice since because the guitar will not stay in tune and feels out of tune as I move up the neck. I think the .008s are too light. What do you guys use? What do you do to keep your 12-strings in tune? I have a friend who has a 330-12 like mine. I took his off the wall to play, and even though the strings were old, it was perfectly in tune-and he hadn't played it in over a week. Mine won't hold a tune for five minutes.

I also think my tech, although good generally, just doesn't have a feel for Rick 12s. He admittedly doesn't like working on them, which should have been my big tipoff right there.

If there's nothing I can do myself, I'm going to try Renaldo at Pastore Music in Union City, NJ. He's one of the best luthiers around.

[jingle_jangle]

Your tech needs a Rickeneducation...

Use Rick 10-46 12 sets as your reference. Get used to those in feel and playability, and then you might want to try others. T-Is are many folks' choice, too. I'd rank 'em second after the Ricks. Pyramids have a few boosters, too, although they are higher tension and RIC doesn't recommend them, so I personally avoid the 12 string sets, although I do have one sixer strung with 'em for old times' sake--a '67.

[melibreits]

What model is your '67, Paul? I've got Pyramids on my '67 too, a nearly-mint 365 FG. All of my other electric guitars have Ric strings on them, except for the ones that had been strung with something else by previous owners, that I haven't felt the need to change yet.... My Ric acoustic has Elixir Nanowebs, which I love.

[teb]

The TI jazz flat sets that i use on both my 330/12 and 360/12 are 10/10 -13/13 - 20/10 - 25/13 - 33/20 and 39/25. They seem to interchange well with the standard RIC roundwound set with minimal tweaking required and the sound seems pretty balanced to my ear and excellent. I can't stand Pyramid strings, so it was nice to find a flat set that works great, strains the neck less, has better consistency and more uniform diameter and plays easier. They run $34 per set delivered from Just Strings and you have to order them individually, but if you decide to go the flat-wound route, I highly recommend them. Compared to rounds, the primary strings have less ring and the octaves stand out more, so you get a different sound. I'd call it more chime and less twang, but we all have our own ideas of what things should and/or do sound like. The RIC rounds are also excellent if you're more of a round-wound sort of guy. Don't ever let anybody put strings on your twelves that you haven't chosen yourself. Buy them ahead of time and give them to your luthier when you deliver the guitar for work.

[jingle_jangle]

Melissa, mine's a lovely FG 625. I think I picked it up while you were on hiatus; I did post some pics and a description. I got it through a craigslist ad, along with a '67 Bassman "drip rail" amp, for I think $1800.00. After selling the amp, the guitar cost me $1050.00. It's about an 8.75/10. wth only extensive but light worming on the back to keep it from being absolutely mint.

I bought it from the original owner, who in turn purchased it and the amp from a San Jose Rick dealer, in 1969, the day after he was mustered out of the Army in VietNam. It was under his bed for about 30 years, then moving out of state motivated him to sell.

[tennis_nick]

And unless you're Yngwie going 1000 miles a minute on a scalloped Fretboard strat, 8's are WAY to small. AT least 9's 10's would be best since you know you aren't bending (not alot anyhow)

[shamustwin]

The Rickenbacker strings are the best for Rick 12's, IMHO. I have them on my 660/12 and '66 360/near mint plays like butter/12.

[melibreits]

Because I liked the Pyramids on my 365 so much, I tried them on a 360/12, and found them to be absolutely miserable! They bit into my fingers, and playing was a painful experience, although I did like the jangly sound of them on the 12-string.... It didn't take long for me to go back to Ric strings, though. When it hurts to play a guitar, it doesn't get played much, no matter how good it sounds.

[lennon211]

Sounds like he used the Ernie Ball 12 string set on it which is extra light with .08's in it. I've put together sets for my 12's with D'Addario Chromes and have had very good luck with them. They're very affordable and normally found locally too. Very comfortable strings and not bad on the necks either.

[gregga41]

My 330/12 arrived with D'addario's on, and i'm more than happy with them! Only problem is that i'm not sure what gauge they are! Could be 9's but possibly 10's! What size do you have on yours Matthew?

[drumbob]

Ok, so where can I get Rick strings, and what gauges do they come in? I agree, the 8s are way too light. They feel like a rubber band.

[jingle_jangle]

You look like a thoughtful guy, Bob...

RIC boutique (online), Pick of the Ricks, North Coast Music, and Mike Parks' Music Connection; all online. Many of the online strings-only dealers have 'em, too.

That's food for thought.

Greg, I'm sure that Chinese micrometers have made it to the shores of Oz; for about $8-10, you'll never have to guess about string sizes again! It is an enlightening experience to go through your guitars and measure the strings...

Jeez, on second thought, I gotta get a life.

[tamborineman]

also Bob, it's common to tune your low E slightly flat so that it's in tune on the third fret and higher

[paologregorio]

Sounds like he used the Ernie Ball 12 string set on it which is extra light with .08's in it: I've put together sets for my 12's with D'Addario Chromes and have had very good luck with them. They're very affordable and normally found locally too. Very comfortable strings and not bad on the necks either.

I use the Ernie Ball .008-.40 set on my 381/12: http://www.stringsandbeyond.com/erbani12stsl.html

I really like the feel and ease of play, but they weren't on the unofficial list of the brands and gauges that intonate well with the six saddle 12 string bridge. My guitar came with the 12 saddle bridge so it's not an issue for me, but I've heard that the six saddle bridge has more sustain/better tone due to the strings' resting on a bigger chunk of metal.

[lennon211]

My 330/12 arrived with D'addario's on, and i'm more than happy with them! Only problem is that i'm not sure what gauge they are! Could be 9's but possibly 10's! What size do you have on yours Matthew?

I put together a set from 2 packs of 10 gauge Chromes plus singles of the high E and B for the octaves for my 360/12v64. I've also used the Chromes on my 325/12v63 in a 12 gauge config. I really like the sounds of these strings. I think that they sound great and feel substantial without destroying the neck or your fingertips. Plus they're inexpensive and really easy to find.