Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I want to change my 360/12 over to pyramid flats. the guages are pretty similar to the ric set, but I seem to remember reading something about the flats having more tension. Does this mean that a neck adjustment is needed? if so, how much "adjusting" will need to be done?
thanks,
Josh

I have pyramid flats on my 360/12 and I don't think any neck ajustment is required. The 12 string set is just a 10 guage set, which Ric necks can handle no problem. You don't need to tune down half a step or anything either...just put them on, tune up and play away.

This issue of flat wounds or round wounds having more tension .... has NOTHING to do with the fact that one is flat wound or one is round wound .

That is just a crock!!!

Tension loads are due to the core of the string and how large/small it is and then adding in the diameter of the gauge of string .

Why is it that this is ONLY an issue at the Rickenbacker guitar sites?


Now ... reality .

Pyramid strings are a larger gauged set of strings = more tension.

Rickenbacker string sets are a lighter/smaller gauge of string = less tension.

A general rule of thumb ......add all the sizes together , and then compare to any brand.
This is NOT 100% true , but it does give you an idea of what you are dealing with .

Also , most string makers have a website and they list the load at their site .

Mark,

You also said in an older thread (I think) that Pyramids aren't consistent through each string as they "make" them by hand.

I haven't experienced a "dead" string from Pyramid yet, but I know that others on this board certainly have.

To get back to the original post...the higher tension of the Pyramid flats definitely RAISES the action of the strings off the fret board. It makes it much more difficult to fret IMHO. My solution to this is to tune down to Eflat and then the action is ABOUT the same as standard RIC strings and standard tuning.

I'm resisting adjusting the truss rod but I may give in since using a Kyser capo still makes it a pain to get all the open strings properly depressed at the first fret (no buzzing or muting) and intonation is slightly out of whack or variable with varying capo tension.

If I had a better capo it might solve the problem...barring that (no pun intended) I may re-adjust the truss rod and go back to standard tuning.

What is REALLY needed is a lighter guage of Pyramid flats. Has anyone every brought this up?

I hear ya on the Kyser Kapos...I have one and try not to use it at all due to the buzzing you mentioned.

I personally wouldn't care to have a lighter set of pyramid flats available to me. I don't have the fretting problem that you discussed, either. Who knows...everyone is different.

The Pyramids don't fret out...the capo is twitchy and un-reliable...thats all....

My point the desire for the lighter guage Pyramids is the desire for the same neck tension as when using the RIC strings so that the truss rod can remain adjusted once - good for either set of strings. This would result in identical (or very similar) action using either set in standard tuning with NO capo required.