Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'm very happy with the Pyramid Flats 10-46 that I've got on my guitar now, but was wondering, is it okay for my to go up to the 11's set for a 24 fret 360? The description on the Rickenbacker page lists the 11's being for "accoustic and medium electrics"...

I prefer heavier gauge strings, but don't want to bring my guitar in for maintainance more than two or three times a year. What do you fine folks recommend based on your experiences?

Corey, I don't see why the Pyramid 11s wouldn't work on your 360. You might have to get an experienced tech to do a slight truss rod adjustment on the changeover; but after that, I wouldn't think the guitar would require any additional maintenance than if you had the 10s on it.

However, since this a guitar question (and not my forte), perhaps Mark Arnquist or someone more experienced in this should weigh in with their knowledge.

I know for a fact that I didn't need a truss rod adjustment when I had the Fender 11's on. If I had my way, I'd put 13-58's on my 360, but I hear the heavier gauges aren't really recommended for the non-short scale models.

Since the 300 series guitars aren't neck-through in design, the 13s almost certainly would be too stout. And the key word in my previous post about any truss rod adjustment was "might". Regardless, I still believe the 11s would work quite well on your 360. Like you, I prefer slightly thicker gauge strings than the norm on a guitar-- at least 11s, perhaps even 12s. 13s would probably be a bit much for my taste, Ric guitar or no.

Corey and Jeffrey: Peter Buck of R.E.M. uses Dean Markley strings with the following gauges on his 360:
1st - .013 Plain- Swedish Steel
2nd - .017 Plain- Swedish Steel
3rd - .026 Wound- Nickel Steel
4th - .036 Wound- Nickel Steel
5th - .046 Wound- Nickel Steel
6th - .056 Wound- Nickel Steel

Peter,

Yeah, Mr. Buck is my personal guitar god, which is where I get my love of the heavier guages from. I'm just wondering if his early 80's 360 neck takes the 13's better than my 2000 neck would.

Cory i just bought my 360 from a friend and
when he had the guitar setup the music store
put D'Addario 9-42 on. The rick just didn't
sound that good with those strings, and now
that i own the guitar i has it setup with rick
strings 10-13-17-26-34-42 Compressed Round Wound
and it sounds real good. I play thru a Vox AD120VT
and if I do any changes to the guitar I will
put in the vintage pickups.

Lou, Very cool. 10's or 11's sound really sweet on the 360. I still have never tried 12's or 13's on my 360 though - still paranoid about putting too much strain on my perfect, first Ric.