Why do older ('60's - 70's) Rics have the bridge set so low? Has the neck set changed? Like this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260114948181&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1
Not a bad buy, I think...
Bridge height on older Rics
Moderator: jingle_jangle
What you see in these pics is a symptom that is mainly seen on various Rickenbacker 12 strings. The neck angle of the enrire neck starts to raise upward from the headstock from string tension, which causes the string action to become higher...this is a condition that's called 'curl' by many including myself.
To compensate, the bridge height needs to be lowered to maintain proper action. Over time, you may end up running out of room, like this 330/12. It's not all the way there yet, but there's not much room left. Then the grommets have to go to get the bridge pickup closer to the top. I've seen some guitars that have had their bridgeplates shaved to make them thinner.
One way to keep this condition in check is use the lightest gauge strings (.009s). If it gets too bad, then the neck will more than likely have to be reset.... The rule is: the less tension on the neck on ANY of the older 12 stringers, the better.
To compensate, the bridge height needs to be lowered to maintain proper action. Over time, you may end up running out of room, like this 330/12. It's not all the way there yet, but there's not much room left. Then the grommets have to go to get the bridge pickup closer to the top. I've seen some guitars that have had their bridgeplates shaved to make them thinner.
One way to keep this condition in check is use the lightest gauge strings (.009s). If it gets too bad, then the neck will more than likely have to be reset.... The rule is: the less tension on the neck on ANY of the older 12 stringers, the better.