Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Just wondering what kind is most popular and recommended.

I have Pyramid flatwounds on my 360/12 and they sound great and jangly, but they are just a little stiff to play, and if playing for a long time they make my fingers sore.... My 330/12 has the standard RIC set of strings, and it sounds fine, though maybe not quite as jangly as the Pyramids.... I usually play the 330/12 when twelve strings are what I need, just because of the sheer playability of that particular guitar....I'm not sure if it is just the strings that make it feel better to play, or if it needs some other adjustments; the 330 just seems more comfortable to me.

Pyramid flats on my '66 360/12

I wish I knew what I have on my 360/12 right now! I changed the strings about 6 months ago and they still feel and sound great. I usually save the empty packs and date them, but for some reason, the empty twelve string pack is missing. Have any of you seen my missing empty string package?

By the way, I tried flatwounds for awhile and...yuck! I didn't touch my 12 string for months.

http://home.comcast.net/~drjeffreyb

I use light gauge Rickenbackers.

I use Ernie Ball slinky 9's... So shoot me!

I use Pyramids on my modified Carl Wilson 12 string, and I use standard Rickenbacker strings on my 381.

Anyone know what guage come on them from the factory? I've been using the same ones, got 'em from Mike Parks, but I can't remember whether they are light or mediums...

I'm currently using D'Addarios. They sound good enough, plenty of high end jangle - but can't quite hit that 'chime' my 660/12 had when I bought it with Pramid flats on. Their pure nickel flatwounds and silver plated plain strings sound just fabulous through a tube amp, and that was the sound that made me hand over the cash in the first place.

I switched because the Pyramids were just too hard to play (I have problems with severe cramps in the hands). Currently I'm planning to restring with the Pyramids, but with a custom set up using lighter gauges. The standard Pyramid Gold 12 gauges are:

- - w/p wp wp ww
10 13 19 30 35 45
10 13 10 13 19 30
E B G D A E

The custom set I'm planning will be:
- - wp wp wp ww
10 13 19 19 30 35 (with a 'spare' 45)
10 13 10 13 19 30
E B G D A E

To do this I'll add in a wound '19' from a set of Pyramid 6-strings (they come with 7 strings). If my calculations are good this should play well and sound great. I'll need a new nut and a good professional setup, so it's going to be a pricey switch. If anybody can spot any problems I've not taken into account with this I'd appreciate your input.

Cheers LK

BTW Gene - the Ric factory 12-strings are roundwounds:
10-13-20-26-34-42
10-13-10-13-20-26

Lee: I have tried several different gauge variations of Pyramid Strings. They are a very stiff string, based on their composition and construction, which provide a nice jangle. I am responding to your question

"If anybody can spot any problems I've not taken into account with this I'd appreciate your input."

I suspect that the different gauges that you have chosen will reduce the overall tension on your neck to some degree, but will not yield a substantial difference in the feel of these strings. Based on the expense it is my view that you will still find these strings to be a stiff play. As a way to experiment, try making a similar adjustment to your current D'Addario set and I suspect that you will see that the wound strings do not play a whole lot differently. The smaller gauge will, however, not yield the same jangle that you currently have.

I would argue that experimentation first with other types of nickel strings, that are playable for you, is the way to go.

Maybe it's just me, but I really don't understand the "jangle" association with Pyramid flatwounds. Let's face it, "jangle" is the inherent sound these Ric 12 string guitars provide, and I think you could put nylon strings on them and they'd still out jangle any other guitar. Although they have a great smooth feel, I think the Pyramids sound muted and thuddy compared to the a more ringing sound of a roundwound string. On my Rick 12 strings (340 & 381) I've tried the SIT 9's, the Ric 10's, the D'Addario EXL150 10's. I just had Mr. Soest set up 2 of my Ricks (381 & 1997) and take the Pyramids off, and he went with Daddarios and I am super pleased with the sound and intonation, so maybe jangle is in the ear of the beholder.

I was kinda wondering the same thing Vic. I have the standard Ric roundwounds on my 660/12, but I am mainly a bass player, and I know what flats do to the tone of a bass. So I wondered how flatwound strings could have more jangle on a guitar than rounds... I guess it is in the ear of the beholder, like you say....

Thanks Peter, I'll experiment with the Pyramid 6's that I have for my Gretsch Sparklejet and see how that goes.. As to the 'ear of the beholder' argument I agree. I've always preferred D'Addario half-rounds (basically a groundwound flat)for my Fender basses. With the tone up full, and using a pick, they have a great 'woody' sound that I love, and a smooth 'fretless' sound when sliding up the neck.To each his own..

At first I didn't dig the Pyramid flats, but I tried them again after doing a lot of home recording.

To my ears, the pyramids have a more defined mid range, and controlled low end. This makes it jangle more.

I also have a problem with the fretted G and C on the E and A strings. With rounds, I make them go sharp, the flats are stiffer and wont do this.

As a bass player, I thought the same way about flats vs. rounds, rounds on a bass are much zingier. Jangle doesn't really apply to bass does it?