Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

seriously have any others members put electric strings on an acoustic ?

They are mandatory on an acoustic-electric like a Gibson J-160E ... non-ferrous bronze acoustic strings won't provide a signal at the pickup because they won't interact with the magnets. I have yet to change the strings on my J-160E, but I will indeed use an electric set when I do.

Mateybob wrote:Oooh, now there's a thought.

A Ric resonator...........

Check Rickenbacker's history.

I've had to use them on some vintage(ha ha) el cheapo acoustics I've had to prevent them from folding up like a taco. I would think using them on an acoustic wouldn't make them sound much different if the instrument has a pickup built in to it(when played through an amp). I always wondered about that J-160e with that electric guitar pickup in it, whether or not it added a unique character with acoustic strings, or needed to fit electric to get the sound out of it. I love the slinkyness of electric strings on an acoustic, but to me, really need the acoustic kind to sound optimum.

I have Rickenbackers, Fenders, and Hiwatts, and I ain't puttin' lighter fluid or smashing up nuthin!

I have lots of cheap 3/4 size guitars (as well as my '82 320 jetglo ) as it's hard to find my preferred scale in guitars of quality. Seems like the 320, 325, etc. is the only quality short model around.
Anyway, I string my shortie Ovation knock-off with standard light electric strings and with its ancient Dean Markley slide-in it chimes sweetly with warm lower notes. Really clear definition from bottom to top. Of course the fretboard and intonation are **** but it has a very special sound I couldn't replace for five times the money. It sounds better unplugged with good light acoustic strings but we need it for the band

melibreits wrote:Interesting comments about the D'Addarios; I think that's what were on my 12-string acoustic before I changed 'em, and they sounded fantastic--magical, as I said before--on that guitar... I never would have dreamed that D'Addarios would sound better than Elixir Nano's, but in this case they did. I guess I'll have to order some D'Addarios for the next string change....

I would have thought just the opposite. I can't imagine how any coated string could sound as good as D'Addario phosphor bronze strings. I get long life out of all my strings but know people with more acidic skin that go through strings rapidly. That being said it is understandable why so many manufacturers have gone to Elixers. These will stay fresher longer as a guitar sits on the hook until it is sold. My Larivee came from the factory with D'Addario phosphor bronze 0.013's on it. I have tried others but none have produced the great tone as well as the D'addarios have. I also use them (a lighter gauge) on my 12 string acoutic.

The first strings I tried on the first Rick acoustic I built were the Elixirs, because of Melissa's recommendation. They were good, and became my standard for comparison.

That's changed, because I have been converted to Martin .010-.047 Extra Lights. Better definition and easier playing. They last reasonably long in regular use, but I am not a heavy sweater, so I can't speak to the corrosion issue.

Paul builds them under licence from RIC.

I didn't know Paul built strings

To clarify, I have never built a string...

I build the Rick acoustics under license from Rickenbacker, using wood procured from Rickenbacker's acoustic shop when it went on hiatus in late '06. This includes "gluing them together", because I find exposed screw heads on acoustic guitars to be unsightly... .

There was a post by Damon Davis asking if Paul was building some sort of RIC kit. It seems to have been deleted. How can that be?

The post was removed by admin.

Well, well...the good ol' mass string makers. Nothing really wrong with them but you just cannot get the sixties sound without pure nickel wrap. Better...get QUALITY pure nickel wrap. That takes you down two roads.......Pyramid or Snake Oil.

Just spent the 4th re-stringing my 330 with Snake Oils....wow! That's what I was hearing in my head. Only down side was re-setting the intonation....was THAT a pain...but well worth it since it will only ever have to be done once.

Best "upgrade" you will ever make for less than 10 bucks.

What are 'Snake Oils' Brian? Flats or round wound?

Thanks,
Gary

360v64, 325JL

Pure nickel wound rounds Gary.

http://www.sobstrings.net/strings.htm