String Gauge?

[chadley]

I was wondering what string gauge you guys are using on your Ricks? I just recently switched to 11-52's on my 360/6 and couldn't be happier.

I am new to Rickenbacker Guitars. I love how this thing can chime and rock out all at the same time. Such a great sounding guitar! I am seriously considering getting a 620 to go along with it.

Here are a couple of clips.

http://soundcloud.com/chad-pippin/sets/ ... rack-ac30/

[jdogric12]

Welcome. It's really best to use the stock sets. I use Curt Mangan Pick of the Ricks strings. If you've switched to 11's on your 360, you may need to tweak the truss rods... if you're familiar with Rick's dual tr system. And don't take it to just any so-called luthier, but someone who knows Ricks well. Or learn to do it yourself, and with the correct tool (totally doable).

[chadley]

I thought I was going to have to tweak the truss rod a bit. All I ended up doing was lowering the bridge just a hair. The guitar seems to play and intonate even better than before. I guess I lucked out. The 11's give the guitar a punchier feel. It seems like I can dig into rhythm parts more and jangly things seem to sustain better.

[suedehead71]

i use .10's. need to try those mangans, but i can't seem to give up my beloved Rotosounds!

[JakeK]

Curt Mangan strings are very good. I've used a set on my 1997 and loved them.

[Hotzenplotz]

Normally I use Elixir coated strings. Now Rickenbacker changed the gauge of the A-sting and the deep E-string (a bit thicker), exact that (very common) measure these strings have since years.

Nice (!) warm sound and long lasting. - Coated, Y'know?

[Hotzenplotz]

These ones:

[Folkie]

I don't own or play a 6-string Ric, but, if I did, I would definitely set it up with heavier strings (probably an .011 or .012 set), for the simple reason that I play a lot of early R.E.M. material, and to emulate Peter Buck's style, I find I need a certain resistance from the strings. I can't imagine doing a lot of bluesy bending and vibrato on a Ric, although many here do that.

As for my two 12'ers, I use Curt Mangan Fusion Matched Nickelwounds (.010 to .042) on my 1991 330/12, and Thomastik Infeld Flats (.010 to .044) on my 2010 360/12. The roundwounds play easier, but the flats sound better. I find that, with a flatwound set, I need the action set as low as possible without fret buzz, for smooth and comfortable playing. Like all things guitar-related, string gauges and setups are subjective. So that's just my two cents!

Robert

[jimk]

I use these
or these occasionally.
JimK

[Hotzenplotz]

After reading about flats, today I ordered the Thomastik IN110 (see picture), same gauge as the new Rickenbacker gauge, for a test. Very cheap here to get them, btw..

Does anybody know the tension of the actual Rickenbacker set?

- And, any experiences with these TIs?

[electrofaro]

I have the JS 111 flats on my 360 and the PB 110 rounds on my 340

[Hotzenplotz]

Aaaaand?:

Which PUs and which sound?

[Folkie]

I can't say anything about how the TI Flats sound on a 6-string. But they make a world of difference on a 12-string. Basically, they accentuate the sound of the octave strings which results in more jangle and chime. These strings respond nicely to a lighter pick (I use Dunlop .50mm picks). Yes, they are expensive, at about $30 a set, but in my opinion, they're worth every penny.

[Hotzenplotz]

After reading about flats, today I ordered the Thomastik IN110 (see picture), same gauge as the new Rickenbacker gauge, for a test. Very cheap here to get them, btw..

Does anybody know the tension of the actual Rickenbacker set?

- And, any experiences with these TIs?

Aaarrgh!

They arrived today, but I was a bit confused. These are not flats... - The price is now explained. My mistake.
Well, good for comparing them with the Rickenbacker strings that are actually on.

@Wildberry: How behave the JS111 on Your 360/6?

I ordered now the JS110, they are closer to the actual ones I use.