Factory set up

[evolvingear]

Anyone know what gauge/make strings Rickenbacker uses to set up 12-strings before they leave the factory?

[1965]

Rickenbacker compressed roundwounds

http://www.rickenbacker.com/cart.asp?vi ... ry=Strings

[jingle_jangle]

WOW. "That was

"

[evolvingear]

Any recommendations for a substitute that's comparable if I can't find Ricks?

[1965]

Are you looking for more roundwounds, or are you willing to try out flats? I prefer the latter.

[evolvingear]

I suppose I'm wondering if I get a set of D'addarios for 12 string if it's going to make a major change in the sound. I've only had this 12 for about a month or so and just broke my first string!

[whojamfan]

Welcome to the forum. Pick of the Ricks has a set of Tomastik 12 string sets they sell that are excellent if you want to go the flatwound route. Flatwounds give you more of that 60s vibe and sound perfect for that Beatles/Byrds/Who thing IMHO. They also offer the standard RIC 12 sets and some other brands. It's all in the sound you want. Pyramids, from my experience, sound great, but add a measurable amount of tension and are harder to play. If your happy with the sound of the strings your guitar came with, then by all means, stick with the Rickenbacker strings, which are readily available from POTR, and other online shops if your local doesn't carry them.

Have fun restringing it, do it one at a time if you are not sure how to set up these guitars. Taking all of the strings off at once will cause both the bridge and tailpiece to fall off. If you don't already have it, the Roger McGuinn video has some good restring and setup tips in it, and is worth buying even if the Byrds aren't your favorite band. The smaller necks he refers to have been widened in recent years, making them a little easier to play if you have big fingers.

Just be patient, careful, relax, and think about how much easier this would be if you had 3 hands(ha ha). It gets easier with time, and I find it to be quite theraputic. If you run into problems, just ask, and there are many posters here(including myself)who will be happy to answer and help.

Good luck, and do this somewhere you won't be distracted by cats,kids,dogs,signifigant others, or whatever. You may say something in front of, or to them, that you may end up regretting later. It's not as big of a deal as I am making it out to be, but can be a little difficult the first time or two you do it.

It's really best to learn to do this yourself, as a repair shop is gonna charge you signifigantly more to restring this guitar than their normal price. If you do take it to a shop, make sure they are experienced in working on Rickenbackers. Don't let the dude in the back learn how Ricks work inbetween bong rips.

Sorry if this post seems scary, it's just that Rickenbackers are different than any other guitar and require you to really pay attention to what you are doing, as they don't work physically or electronically like standard Fender/Gibson type guitars do. Enjoy!

[rob_u]

The number one RIC 12 re-stringing tip is to jam a polishing cloth under the "R" tailpiece, to keep the new string from falling out until it's tight.

Rob

[chuck_king]

I put a set of D'Addario strings on my 660/12 and I like them a lot.

[belmondo]

The number one RIC 12 re-stringing tip is to jam a polishing cloth under the "R" tailpiece, to keep the new string from falling out until it's tight.

Rob

or: use a Capo

Mark