Coated Strings for 660/6

skchurch · Post by **skchurch** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 4:12 pm

I mostly play acoustic guitar and use Martin SP Lifespan Custom Lights on all of them and find that they play and sound great on a wide variety of body shapes/sizes from standard to short-scale neck lengths. I use coated string because my hands/perspiration go through uncoated strings pretty quickly. So although I like the original Rickenbacker strings on my 660/6, I am curious what others are using that are coated and are most-Rickenbacker sounding since I don't have much experience with coated electric guitar strings and want to preserve the Rickenbacker-tone the best I can. I also know they are strung with 12-54 gauge and if anybody has gone lighter, or I should just stick with the 12-54 as it is a short-scale?

Cheers,
Scott

8mileshigher · Post by **8mileshigher** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 4:25 pm

Scott, while the 660 has a 21 fret neck, it is standard Ric scale length 24 3/4"
http://www.rickenbacker.com/model.asp?model=660

skchurch · Post by **skchurch** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 4:28 pm

Hi Rich,

Gotcha' so does that mean it was strung at the factory with 10-46 strings? If so, that's a lot easier for me to play

Still curious then about anyone having experience with coated strings that still preserve some of the Rick "DNA".

Thanks,
Scott

Ric5150 · Post by **Ric5150** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 7:11 pm

Scott,

Yes, 10-46 is "original equipment". Yes, much easier to play, and since you get all that neck to work with, you might as well bend 'em good.

I'm fortunate enough not to have the corrosive touch (but know guys who do), so coating isn't a concern for me. However, I've tried a lot of different strings on a lot of guitars, and found that brand of string doesn't significantly change the character of a guitar. You can get subtle shifts that will wiggle your sound a little one way or the other, and it all comes down to personal preference, but as long as you use decent strings, your 660 will still sound like a Ric. (Others may disagree with me and are welcome to.) "Type" of string (e.g. Round wound vs flat wound) is a different story.

That being said, a sales guy at a local large chain store that I've known for years (and trust) shares your issue and swears by Cleartones. He's given me a couple of sets over the years (thrown in with used guitar purchases) to try to sway me, and they seem to be perfectly good strings. The set he gave me for the 6-string neck on my EDS-1275 has been on there since I bought it and still sound great. I just don't need the coating, so don't feel the need to pay the extra money (I use Ernie Ball Pure Nickel on just about everything.). You might want to give the Cleartones a try.

JakeK · Post by **JakeK** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 7:30 pm

I'm one of the unfortunate ones to have sweaty hands and the corrosive touch. I did try the D'Addario coated set, and it didn't really knock my socks off and didn't last long. I don't really want to go the Elixr route because I find them overrated strings, really.

I have a saying that I've shared with forumite Gary Clauson: You know it's time to change your strings when your hands have a funky odor

skchurch · Post by **skchurch** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 9:09 pm

Thanks Dan and Jake--I think I'll give the ClearTone and EXP strings a go. I also don't like Elixir, so these will b a good start. Glad to know I'll still keep the Rickenbacker sound:-)

Cheers,
Scott

Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum