I know all about strings for guitars etc, I've been doing all my own tech work for the last 6 years or so.
But I've been looking at re-stringing my Ric's. I usually use D'Addario's, but is it worth using Rickenbackers own strings?
What's the difference between flatwound, compressed round wound, and round wound? I know what round wounds are, but to compare? Seemingly compressed round wound are somewhere in between?
I like the Tom Petty, Mcguinn Ric sound. Am I better sticking with what I know?
Going to re-string my 330/6 & 360/12.. School me?
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
Re: Going to re-string my 330/6 & 360/12.. School me?
Try experimenting with them all; flats, compressed round wound, and round wound. You'll find one type of string you like.
JimK
JimK
Re: Going to re-string my 330/6 & 360/12.. School me?
Kyle,
If you want to get close to Roger McGuinn's tone, I would go with Thomastik Infeld flatwounds on the 12-string (Pick of the Ricks in Lindenwold, NJ, stocks them). Not only do they last forever, but they eliminate the harshness, and the squeaks and rattles, commonly associated with roundwound sets, like D'Addario XL's, or even POTR's Curt Mangans. More important, the TI's intonate well with six-saddle bridges, and, because they dull the sound of each low course, they naturally accentuate the sound of the high octave strings, creating a brighter, more "jangly," sound (Note that Roger McGuinn strings his 370/12RM with flats).
Compressed Roundwounds (or, as POTR now calls them, "Compressed Wounds") are great strings also. This is the set that used to come stock on new Rickenbacker 12-strings. As far as tone, they're somewhere between the harshness of rounds and the mellowness of the flats.
There are many threads on this subject, so I would recommend you search the forum for previous discussions. If you want a highly-technical explanation of the physical properties that separate different string types, look for Scott Pope's posts on these threads.
Happy string-hunting!
Robert
If you want to get close to Roger McGuinn's tone, I would go with Thomastik Infeld flatwounds on the 12-string (Pick of the Ricks in Lindenwold, NJ, stocks them). Not only do they last forever, but they eliminate the harshness, and the squeaks and rattles, commonly associated with roundwound sets, like D'Addario XL's, or even POTR's Curt Mangans. More important, the TI's intonate well with six-saddle bridges, and, because they dull the sound of each low course, they naturally accentuate the sound of the high octave strings, creating a brighter, more "jangly," sound (Note that Roger McGuinn strings his 370/12RM with flats).
Compressed Roundwounds (or, as POTR now calls them, "Compressed Wounds") are great strings also. This is the set that used to come stock on new Rickenbacker 12-strings. As far as tone, they're somewhere between the harshness of rounds and the mellowness of the flats.
There are many threads on this subject, so I would recommend you search the forum for previous discussions. If you want a highly-technical explanation of the physical properties that separate different string types, look for Scott Pope's posts on these threads.
Happy string-hunting!
Robert
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deaconblues
- RRF Consultant
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Re: Going to re-string my 330/6 & 360/12.. School me?
Round, compressed, flat. Flatwound strings are mellower/darker than rounds, but have a vintage sound and last a really long time.
As far as Rickenbacker strings go, save your money. I don't think they're necessary.