Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

hi guys my 325 strings are rickenbacker 12s but they seem a bit too hard to play for me. at first i thought it was just me getting used to the short scale but i think its the strings has anyone else found this? the handbook says to use 12s for short scales but is there any probs using 10s? its got a bigsby on it will this cause any neck or tuning probs if i use a lighter string?

Ignore the manual and rhetoric about only fitting RIC strings because....its sales rot. Those round wounds just dont cut it on a 325. Get some Thomastic Infeld flat wounds in 12's or 13's, nice low tension and the vintage sound. These strings will also last you a long time compared to the factory recommended, made by others, strings. Pyramid flats are also popular for the 325.

Do a search on this forum for some good background as this topic has been discussed many times. Theres a lot of experience out there for you to read up on.

I'll recommend D'Addario Chrome flats in an .011 gauge. I have them on my 325, really like them.

leftybass wrote:I'll recommend D'Addario Chrome flats in an .011 gauge. I have them on my 325, really like them.

Leftybass:
I whole-heartedly second your recommendation. The D'Addario Chromes .011's are a great set for my 325v59! Stays in tune well; plays very easily and sounds great. What more is there?
Bob

When I had a 325, I didn't know I had to use thick strings on it. I used Gibson 10s and it was hard for the guitar to stay in tune, and play well. I was frustrated because I couldn't find 12s anywhere, so I sold it (to Gordon Armstrong (arrow201)). I really didn't think to use 11s, but now I know what to do.

If I get my dream 1998 PT, I might go the route Pete did in '64-'67 and use RIC brand strings (10s) just for kicks, but I digress.

Yes, 11s, 12s or 13s should work just fine on a 325.

im going to try 10s on it first and see how it goes . i know it probably wont sound as good but i can always work my way back up. i think i was struggling with the 12s cos im used to 10s and also used to playing a full size guitar. so maybe i just need time to play it and get used to it. it is alot smaller than i expected BUT i love it wouldnt trade it for anything

BeatleJohn wrote:im going to try 10s on it first and see how it goes . i know it probably wont sound as good but i can always work my way back up. i think i was struggling with the 12s cos im used to 10s and also used to playing a full size guitar. so maybe i just need time to play it and get used to it. it is alot smaller than i expected BUT i love it wouldnt trade it for anything

Think of it this way... Take your full sized guitars (24.75 scale length and up) and drop the strings to C standard, so your tuning should be

c
G
Eb
Bb
F
C

Now capo it at the 4th fret, and try playing it.

In essence, that's what those 10's would feel like on the 325.

Try the same experiment with larger strings, and it will become much more playable.

I'm using 12 gauge D'Addario Chrome flats on my 325's and I honestly can't think of going with a lighter gauge. My 325/12 had 12 gauge strings on it and the thing was unplayable before putting on the 12's. IMO 11's are probably the lightest that you can go and get decent results.

back in 90's i was once proud owner of 64 rm (now residing somewhere in denmark) i used 10-12-18-24-30-40 and never had any problems.