Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've noticed that Pyramids come with both wound and plain G strings. What does everyone prefer and why? I string my 12 with flats but I'm thinking of going flat on one of my 6's.

Cole

Plain G strings don't tune up on ANY guitar, and they always sound thin and scrawny. Unfortunately, you can't do Jimmy Page bends with a wound 3rd, so their is some compromise. I'm one of the few guitarist's left who uses a wound third on ALL his electrics, and I'm just 45. They simply tune up BETTER. END OF DISCUSSION. For Ricky 12's though: WOUND THIRD WOUND THIRD WOUND THIRD. Got me? Thanks! Christian

I cannot stand a plain G. Wound all the way!

Looks like I'll go with the wound G. I'm a freak when it comes to playing in tune. Hopefully I won't lose any Jangle with the wound string.

Cole

I don't use flats on any of my guitars but I do like the wound G string - for rhythm only, mind you!! I haven't noticed any decrease in 'jangle'. Now that RIC has dropped the 95105 set I guess we'll be looking for other sets or at least a suitable wound G.

I haven't really had any issues with the plain G string and tuning - unless I've 'tuned myself out' to it being in tune - which BTW is the more probable situation! LOL!

The only downside to them is that you can't really bend 'em very much, unless you're SRV I suppose. It stays in tune MUCH better than a plain G and big strings = big tone. Definitley go for it.

Count me in on the wound 3rd club. None of my guitars have a plain 3rd, and I have no plans to go back.

I have Thomastik Infeld flats on my 381/12. They are really LOW in tension. They sound like the Pyramids but don't have the feel of high tension power lines. Great for bending. I'm sure my guitar will thank me later for it.

I agree 100% with Loverickbass. TIs are wonderful strings. I can get the action ridiculously low on my 1984 330, and the TI flats (.011s, btw) bend almost like roundwounds on that guitar. Tremendous jangle improvement too over rounds, believe it or not!

Wound Gs for me! Had to make some adjustments to the nut and intonation to make it work on my 360-6, but bigger is better!

While I may be going against the grain here somewhat, I use a plain G on all of my six string guitars. I do a lot of bending which I cannot do with a wound G.

I have no difficulty getting a jangle out of my Rickenbackers and with the proper set-up intonation is not a problem.

I concede that the sound is fuller with a wound string, however, it is a sacrifice I am prepared to make to allow for greater versatility. Also, my connective tissue in my hands thanks me for it.

Thanks for the laugh this morning Peter! Connective tissue....LOL

Cole

I constantly preach about the wonders of a wound 3rd.

I'm with Peter. Unwound G on all my electrics, and wound on my acoustic.

Well, on the Ric I use the regular Ric 12 string set, so that's got a wound G, so that's the only exception on my electrics.

My pleasure J.C. I wasn't laughing for a six month period after trying to bend Pyramids did me in. As my wife has said on more than one occasion "You're not 19 anymore."