Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Recently purchased a used 360 and really enjoying the guitar. Now I would like to have a Luther set it up properly and this includes installing better/proper strings.

I have read where people recommend having Pyramids and/or Rickenbacker strings. These look as thought they will be impossible to find locally. So what I’m looking for is suggestions for strings (and gauge) that will suit my 360. The brand must be easy to find as I don’t want a limited supply (I change my strings every other month…)

At present, I have three other guitars (Fender Am Strat, Martin HD-28 and Seagull 20th A S6). The strings I prefer are medium/heavy; I’m using DR “Tite-Fit” JH-10 (10, 14, 18, 32, 44, 56) on the Strat.

Has anyone tried the DR Legend on a 360? They are a flat-wound string….

Any help and or suggestions are greatly appreciated.


I did go to an authorized Rickenbacker dealer in Montreal and must say I was amused and then concerned by the lack of Ric knowledge at the store. They had no string suggestions to offer, did not carry Pyramids, Rick string…. What was even more amusing was that they only had ONE RIC in stock: a 330 (buried in between a Gretch and another archtop). Here I am looking to acquire another Ric and this is what I am faced with…. It makes me wonder what would ever happen if I needed service… Needless to say, I was not impressed by Rickenbacker’s presence in Montreal….

Denis-- Check out the following website: http://www.juststrings.com/ This is a great mailorder store with the widest selection of strings I'm aware of. They carry every type of Pyramid strings produced. I would also recommend that you take a look at Thomastik-Infeld's flatwound series and the Powerbrights.

Agreed.

I get all my strings from them.

Thanks for the advice on the web site http://www.juststrings.com -- I have heard good things about them. I'm hesitant to use them because of the duties I may have to pay to get the items into Canada and the delay.

Thomastik-Infeld's is another brand I asked for: I got blank stares from the sales clerks...

I may just have to do some internet shopping...

I got strings here in Australia from Pick of the ricks in USA. It must must be possible from Canada. Top srvice ,good price and excellent delivery over 9000 miles


John

Denis, you would get the same stares if you were in the US. There are relatively few Thomastik dealers, and very few actually stocking Pyramids or RIC strings. The RIC strings can't be shipped outside the US due to franchise restrictions, but if a RIC dealer cannot order them for you, I suggest you contact the factory.

Denis-- Call, e-mail, or write juststrings.com about shipment to Canada. They're very good folks to deal with. I talked with a customer service rep about 18 months ago when I was inquiring about a Thomastik-Infeld custom set for my Ric 12-string. Don't remember his name, but he was a super nice guy and went out of his way to help me.

If memory serves correctly, other Canadian members of the Ric forum have purchased string sets from them. I'm sure they'll do whatever they can to get you the strings you choose.

Denis: You will have no difficulty with juststrings.com. I routinely purchase strings from them and the service is good. The delay is a week and the duties are none. You will pay tax on the Canadian dollar value if the strings are inspected by Canada Customs. Sometimes you are assessed the tax and sometimes not. In the end, if you buy a number of sets you will pay no more than you would in Canada. After your first order, you never have to wait again if you keep an eye on your own personal stock.

I have tried the DR Legend flats, but not on a Model 360. I found them to be mediocre. I wouldn't hesistate to recommend the SIT Power Flats though. A great string on Rickenbackers and an excellent value. Pyramids are a fine string but as I have reported before, if you want to bend strings then the Pyramids are hard on the connective tissue for old folks like me. The Thomastik-Infeld's flatwound series are another fine string (Austrian made) with a silky smooth winding. I found, however, that they did not have the presence I was looking for when playing vintage 60s music.

Peter: SIT Power Flats

Ive got Pyramids on both my 660/12TP and my 350SH. For rhythm, I really love the full rich tone and especially the smooth feel. The flats also seem to gunk up alot less than the rounds and are easier to keep clean. But, like you, I have a hand problem and I just cant bend these strings!

I want to do more lead work on my newly acquired 330/6 (hi-gains) so I went with the ric strings. Im not totally happy with the tone as it sounds too bright and thin with very little sustain IMO. Also the ric strings feel kinda sticky.

Being new to the 330, Im not sure if this weak tone is due to the body style, the pickups, the strings... or some combination of these. It just sounds more thin and shallow than my other guitars.

Basically, Im looking for the Pyramid sound and feel... with a little more flexibility. Are these SITs the closest youve found?

David: I feel the same way about Pyramids as the rich tone and smooth feel is certainly there. Based on economy, and sound the SIT Power Flats are my choice at the present time. You will find that they feel very close to the Rickenbacker compressed round strings but are not as bright. It consider that it is worth the price of a package to try them out.

Thanks Peter. Jeez... these strings are only like $5 a pack on the web! I may try a set, but I was hoping they would feel a little more slick than the Ric strings.

David: I have just gone and inspected these strings side by side and I must now report that the SIT Power Flats are smoother than the Rickenbacker Compressed Round Wounds. So "a little more slick" they are, but not as slick as the Thomastik-Infeld Flatwounds.

Peter, I really appreciate your taking the time to look at the strings. I had assumed that a flat wound would feel smoother, but you know what they say about assuming

I will pick up a set and try them out the next time Im in the mood for restringing and adjusting lol