Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I know this has been discussed to death already, but I am looking to set up my 360 for the first time, and I need to make my string choice. I already have a 330 with D'addario 11's on there, so something different is desirable. I am thinking of putting flat wounds on it, so let me ask you experts a couple of questions. Why go the Pyramid route, after all, they are very expensive? Would D'addario chome flats be similar? Also, the three smallest strings, G, B, and little E, are not wound anyway, right or wrong? They seem like just a smooth surface. I don't know if those strings would be much different between round-wound and flat-wound. I don't do bends, I would like the fullest, warmest tone possible. Thanks.

Steve, are you talking about a 360/12? Either way I would go with .10s and flat wound to get the desired sound you're looking for. Try Ricks strings if the Pyramids seem too expensive, if nothing else it's a change from the D'Addario. Just my 2cents.

It's a 360/6. My 330/6 has D'addario round wounds. Anyone know the difference between nickel and chrome flats ?

I recently changed to Thomastik-Infeld 10 flats on my 381. These have a wound G. Nice warm tone and less buzz than rounds when I'm messing unplugged.

Theoretically, nickel flats should give you a mellower tone and less fret wear than chromes.

Steve: To my ears "chromes" are brighter and to my fingers stiffer than nickel TI flats. I love the sound of nickel flats but they do not suit every style. Pyramids are stiffer than TIs.

In my experience, I have not noticed any difference in fret-wear between Chromes and Nickel flats. Play the strings that you like. Life is short, jangle on!

My style is rhythm guitar only. Sounds like the TI's should do the job for less money. I will try them out, thanks!

Steve, I think you are making a good choice with the TIs, they are excellent, especially for your application, IMO. For Rhythm you will get a thicker, thumpier, percussive (how's that for a combnination?) sound which is fantastic for Rhythm IMO.

The big difference between TIs and Pyramids is the price. The other differences are subtle. Both are exceptional strings. When I go into a music store, while on travel, and they have either of the two, there is no hesitatation to buy a set. What lead me to TIs originally is I wanted something in between an 11 and 13. Pyramid didn't offer it but TI did, so I got a set of 12s. They were great and no problem with bending at all. I have a set of George Benson TIs in 14s (Gretsch RHH) because I tune down and need the extra tension. 12s would probably be good for a Ric 6-string for my application.

Note: I have made a hybrid set for my CW 12-string from Pryamid flats for the standard tuned strings and Rics for the octaves. I started with the Pryamids 10s on the wound strings and now have a set of 11s (extra tention for tune down) and it works quite well. The Rics on the octaves tend to ring slightly more and improves the jangle effect, for me at least.