Thomastik string wear

[Moped10]

Hiya- I put the recommended Tomastik strings on my 360/12 a couple months ago, and have been pleased with the sound and playability- But I've read on many posts alot of you can leave these on for long stretches of time vs roundwounds- Mine do still sound fine, but when sliding up the neck, I'm feeling where the flatwounds are wearing away along the frets, if you know what I mean...- when my roundwounds start doing this (on my Gretsch), it means one's getting ready to snap, with my luck, usually in the middle of a show
So I've ordered another set- But dang! 40$ every 2 months is a bit steep don't you think?
My questions are 1) is this normal? and 2) if so, how are the Rick compressed wounds, as I could afford to swap those out every 2 months...
thanks
Seth

[Tommy]

You want to change your TIs after just two months!? The time frame to change TIs is more like two YEARS! I've had a set on a Gretsch for three years now. They still sound and play fantastic.

[Moped10]

They sound great but I swear they're starting to wear way thin at the frets I play around most! I mean there's NO WINDING JUST THE CORE for about a half mm on these frets, across multiple strings...- I'm not one to fuss over details, but these are starting to go already! You think I got an abnormal set? And do you play that Gretsch every day of the week? Since I've gotten the Rick, it's the only guitar I play, live regularly in 2 bands which rehearse every week and play shows out regularly- And when I'm home and not on laundry duty, etc., I'm woodshedding on this thing- It seems alot of yall have multiple Ricks, amongst other brands...

[jps]

It seems alot of yall have multiple Ricks...

Are you implying that you have only one Rick?

[JakeK]

This is quite strange! I don't think the windings have ever worn away from me on any guitar. If a string does break, it's usually the plain steel strings. The wound strings get dirty like crazy, but never this! I'm not saying it isn't possible, however. But I guess it depends on how frequently you play the guitar, and you say you've been playing it frequently...

And BTW, I change the strings on my 12-string once a year, which a lot of folks on here do, too, and this is mostly because the strings are getting rusty.

[Moped10]

Yeah, I think it's just my initial persistent efforts at bending, despite the fact that aggressive bends on 12 strings aren't the best sounding things to attempt, unless you're going for discordance- It took me (and is taking me) a while to adapt my soloing style away from that, at least when I'm playing the Rick, which I still am on exclusively because it stays in tune, sounds AMAZING, is easy to get around on, and gets alot of "oohs" and "ahhhs", despite my sloppy bends! I'm still sold on those strings, I think I'm still in that playing style transition from 6 to 12, and the next set should (knock wood) hold up better...
and I'm already planning my second Rick, haha! I need a double bound 360/6 jetglo with bigsby!!!!

[Folkie]

Seth,

If you want to switch to compressed roundwounds, you may have to sacrifice some tone, but a set will cost you about half as much. I don't think Rickenbacker makes them anymore, but Pick of the Ricks now sells them. I suppose it's possible that there was something wrong with your last set of flats. Mine have been on my 360/12 for almost a year and no signs of wear.

Robert

[doctorwho]

Just a chemist's comment, but the wear you describe does not sound like that from normal metal-to-metal contact. Fretwire can form metal oxides (or sulfides, from skin oil) on the surface, and these metal oxides are harder (and thus more abrasive) that the metal.

Try using a metal polish/cleaner such as Maas on the frets with a white cloth ... if the cloth omes up black, you have corrosion on the frets and that's probably what's causing the rapid wear. (Note: I always clean the frets this way when i change strings.)

[Rubsoul]

My TI's have been 'long lasting" in comparison to other brands I have used (Use mostly on the Casino and J160."
(Stick with rounds on the Martin)
I have been using GHS Brit Flats on the Ricks with great results.

I would rather my strings wear out instead of the frets!

[Tommy]

I have been using GHS Brit Flats on the Ricks with great results.

Ahh, a man who knows a great set of strings.

Those GHS Brite Flats really are fantastic. I love the TI flats, but the GHS Brite Flats can deliver a brighter sound. They play like flatwounds but sound like roundwounds. Great strings.