Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

It seems that my string selection is very limited here. Im in the process of installing a B5 vibrato onto my 325c58. Past threads have recommended the 12-13G Pyramid gold flat wound. It seems that all they have here are D'Addario ECG26 Chrome Stainless Steel Flat.

I want to retain the classic 'ric' sound

Any suggestions?

Bryan: To me your options are Pyramids and Thomastik Infeld (Nickel), or LaBella and D'Addario (Stainless Steel) flat wound strings. In terms of the classic sound on a six-string guitar I would rate them in this order. Juststrings.com can help with these.

The RIC strings are a compressed wound which I would really characterize, with some liberty as a semi-flat. SIT make a nice semi-flat wound which is a compromise but still a reasonably good sounding string. Both of these types are nice to play but yield a slightly lesser Beatles' sound, at least to my ears.

There are other nice strings out there. Just my two cents.

What about these:

http://www.juststrings.com/grt-550.html

Are they just the D'Addarios repackaged? I'm playing a set of these now on my 325C58, and I'm quite pleased with them.

You can order Pyramid strings from North Coast Music if you like .

And how about a GHS brite flats strings set, or those SIT semi-flat you mention? You could have both kind of 'feelings' at the same time.
I think there's a set 0.12-0.56. of GHS brite flat.

Marcelo: The semi-flats are fine but still a compromise. If you want the 1960s flat wound sound, I would go with Pyramids, Thomastik Infeld next, and after that stainless flats such as D'Addario and LaBella.

And what about these? No flat, but Gibson...

Those are great strings, Marcelo. I've used those for years, just not on my Rics. They have a nice warm tone to them. I get .011s though and not everyone carries them in that gauge, so I had to order a box.

Thank you for the answer, Spencer.
I'll try them. By the way, did you use Dean Markley Vintage Jazz (0.12-0.54)?
I think are great strings too, and easy to get.
So long.

Marcelo: The Vintage Reissue round wounds are a nice string.There are so many great strings on the market. We have only scratched the surface.

Some day I would love to see a well written article about strings. Who makes what for whom?

Bryan, about your question:

I'd suggest you to try first with a Pyramid Gold set (0.13 - 0.52). These, I think, are the best flat wound strings money can buy.

There is also a set of interesting flat strings made by Rotosound in Great Britain: the Top Tape RS 200 (0.12 - 0.52). As you can read on the label: "Orchestral and Jazz Strings Ltd., his first company, arrived in 1959 and was followed by producing bass and guitar Strings for Vox and Burns, which included a range of strings for the Shadows. Many other groups and solo artists of this time were using these strings and thois formed the basis from which to launch the Rotosund brand in 1964."

And if you'd like to try round wound strings, I'd try to get a set of Pyramid Maximum Perfomance (0.12 - 0.54). Why? Because these strings are about one third lower tension than other strings of the same gauge. In my opinion, great Beatles sound and nice touch.

All the best, Marcelo.