Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 12:46 pm
An interesting project Gino. Thanks for the additional detail and the history of your involvement. Welcome to the RickResource Forum.
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Thomastik-Infeld 12-String Sets [Interest Check]
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Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 1:01 pm
Thanks for having me!
Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 2:20 pm
Thanks Gino! I'll bet that you'll be receiving a bunch of emails about this. Mine is sent.
Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 2:28 pm
No problem. I hope we can get quite a few as I think we will have a better chance that it will give us a good deal and be a catalyst for a permanent set.
Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 2:44 pm
It has been a privilege to help.
This new TI custom 12 string flatwound set are the same gauges I put together several years ago for myself. I began to share the gauges with anyone who wanted them. Dear friend George Callins (Carla Olsen and the Textones) has put this set to the test over the last year and and half with his his vintage RIC 12 giving two thumbs up reviews live and studio.
The opening chord to 'A Hard Days Night', the jangle of 'Mr. Tambourine Man'.....that is what these strings sound like.
A trick for using pure nickle flatwounds is to wipe them first with a cotton ball and some Naphtha (Ronsons) before stringing. This removes any oxidization from off the nickel and makes the strings sound as new as possible.
This new TI custom 12 string flatwound set are the same gauges I put together several years ago for myself. I began to share the gauges with anyone who wanted them. Dear friend George Callins (Carla Olsen and the Textones) has put this set to the test over the last year and and half with his his vintage RIC 12 giving two thumbs up reviews live and studio.
The opening chord to 'A Hard Days Night', the jangle of 'Mr. Tambourine Man'.....that is what these strings sound like.
A trick for using pure nickle flatwounds is to wipe them first with a cotton ball and some Naphtha (Ronsons) before stringing. This removes any oxidization from off the nickel and makes the strings sound as new as possible.
Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 3:48 pm
Thanks Karl. In light of your experience and George Callin's comments a test drive with these TI gauges may well be worth exploring.
Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 5:30 pm
Again, Thank you Karl. Your knowledge and insight is very much appreciated and proved to be the "master link" so to speak in setting up these gauges.
Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 7:25 pm
It's all good. 
Besides looking for 'holy grail' tone, my biggest concern was the use of other higher tension brand strings on vintage RIC necks. Also, with heavier strings RIC's need nut slot work for pinching. Tuning to Eb didn't sound right either. I also liked the fact of having the option of going back and forth between the factory RIC strings and TI flats when needed for vintage and modern tones.
Besides looking for 'holy grail' tone, my biggest concern was the use of other higher tension brand strings on vintage RIC necks. Also, with heavier strings RIC's need nut slot work for pinching. Tuning to Eb didn't sound right either. I also liked the fact of having the option of going back and forth between the factory RIC strings and TI flats when needed for vintage and modern tones.
Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 10:01 am
Hi guys, nothing as of yet from TI. Still waiting. Just to keep you updated. I have quite a few "preorders". Keep them coming. My email [email protected].
Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 4:50 am
Gino, what's the plan for actually ordering--should we just stay tuned here?
Thanks, Bill
Thanks, Bill
Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 11:58 am
Yes. I will post with the price and shipping and you can reply to my email to let me know officially how many sets and I will then need your shipping address. This list is just to get a feel how many sets were in for so I can use it as a bargaining tool for a better price. I will give enough time for an order to be placed too.
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 12:34 pm
Good News! The test sets have arrived from Thomastik-Infeld!! Allow approximatly 2 weeks for test/break in. At that time I will email TI and attempt to secure a price. In view of Karl Tetan's testimonial and experience with this gauge I am sure these strings will be very nice.
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 1:46 pm
Great news! Looking forward to more updates form you.
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 8:21 pm
Gino, Count me in. Email sent. Thanks, Ron
Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2007 7:00 am
UPDATE:I was emailed by Miss Pohl -TI today. She provided me with a contact person in US distributing. SO I spoke with a very nice person at their US distributor/Connolly and Co today. I explained our desire for this set to be a fixed inclusion in their line. I provided her with a ballpark number of sets desired and the desired gauges. She was surprised at how many sets we may need. I asked her for a price as well amongst other things we talked about. Competitors/Pricing/Ric guitars/Vintage reissue market/vintage instruments/flatwound nickel/history of the Rickenbacker 12 string etc etc. Very nice people. She will contact Austria to let them know everything we discussed and see how they will deliver this set from their product line and hopefully a good price will be guaranteed for all I opened one of the test sets to string on my Ric and noticed that the test sets are really nice. They did not send the Karl Tetan corrected ones as per my 2 emails correcting the gauges.(Miscommunication? These are a 23w where there should be a 20 W and a 27 where there should be a 25.These are really nice! The set we will get will be the corrected one that Karl spoke of. That was made clear to the distributor. You guys are really going to love these strings. Pure nickel wrap , polished-unbelievable.
I opened one of the test sets to string on my Ric and noticed that the test sets are really nice. They did not send the Karl Tetan corrected ones as per my 2 emails correcting the gauges.(Miscommunication? These are a 23w where there should be a 20 W and a 27 where there should be a 25.These are really nice! The set we will get will be the corrected one that Karl spoke of. That was made clear to the distributor. You guys are really going to love these strings. Pure nickel wrap , polished-unbelievable.