Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Thomastik infeld has a specific set of strings for a Rick 12, is there a specific or preferred string for a 6 string.

The JS110 “Jazz Swing” set is the 6 string version from TI, Flatwound 10-44 with a wound “G”.

Uffingdon wrote: Mon Jun 10, 2024 4:06 pm The JS110 “Jazz Swing” set is the 6 string version from TI, Flatwound 10-44 with a wound “G”.

yup, that's the 6 string equivalent set from TI, but in relation to the 'specific' or 'preferred' gauge for 6 strings, I don't think there needs to be such a thing for a 6 string. Rickenbacker 6 strings are engineered in the same way as their 12 string counterparts, so can withstand the same amount of tension, which is never likely to be reached with only 6 strings unless you're doing something pretty extreme. Most guitar players will agree than anything much heavier than 13-56 gauge in standard tuning on a standard scale instrument is a bit too much effort for little benefit for no real benefit. I don't think that a 13-56 gauge set gets even close to matching the tension of a 10-44 gauge 12 string set tuned to standard pitch on the same scale length. too much string tension on a 12 string rickenbacker can destroy the tailpiece - and if you've got a more robust trapeze type, can cause structural damage to some of the older instruments. But this is less of a concern for the 6 strings, unless you're talking about real old 50s 'capri' hollowbodies...

10-46 is kind of a happy medium for most electric players - Rickenbacker 6 string nuts I think are precisely cut for 10-46 gauge, as well, so anything heavier will likely require some filing of the nut slots, which is best left to a competent guitar tech because it's not as easy to reverse if you get it wrong. I actually prefer heavier strings on my Rickenbacker 6 strings - for some reason, the 10-46 gauge that I use on my Gibsons (which are the same scale length), just feels much softer and slinkier on the Ricks. At the very least I will use E A D strings from an 11 gauge set!