12 String Intonation

Ed_Jahn · Post by **Ed_Jahn** » Mon Jan 08, 2001 12:16 pm

John Hall-
You mention a "simple solution for future production" but do not explain. I would be interested in your idea if you can post it.

Once I solve this problem of intonation I will be 100% happy with my 360/12V64.

As I said in my previous entry I am going to replace the bridge and take your advice of using Rick strings and not re-drilling. Hopefully that will do the trick.

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Mon Jan 15, 2001 6:36 pm

As soon as current stocks of bridge baseplates are used up, the following assembly will be used:

One edge of the slot is located on the centerline of the part while the other is offset by 2.4 mm to one side. Instruments will leave the factory in default position, i.e. on the centerline. However, should the customer wish to use low quality strings, he may now simply loosen the screws, slide the bridge assembly back, and retighten the screws, in order to recenter the bridge to a new position. Should the screws not be fully tightened, the bridge will go back and stop at the default.

admin · Post by **admin** » Tue Jan 23, 2001 5:02 pm

Great idea John. This flexibility should satisfy just about everyone. Would these new bridge baseplates be available to dealers and directly from the factory as well?

Jeffery_Dunn · Post by **Jeffery_Dunn** » Wed Jan 24, 2001 12:45 am

I have ALWAYS used Rickenbacker strings, yet I had to have the bridge plate on my 620-12 moved back for proper intonation. Mr. Hall, if having to move it is just because of "low quality" strings, how do you explain this? I mean no disrespect, but there was no way to get the low E and A string intonated right. The saddles were ALL the way back! My guitar was worked on by one of Nashville's best set-up men at a Rickenbacker authorized dealer, who told me he sees this all the time. I love Rick 12's Mr. Hall, but this doesn't seem like a "low quality" string issue to me .

Jeffery_Dunn · Post by **Jeffery_Dunn** » Wed Jan 24, 2001 12:49 am

I forgot to add that I have a professionally installed Rick 12-saddle bridge. I could never get proper intonation with that 6-saddle bridge that was originally on it, although the sound of the guitar was a little better tone-wise with it.

RICKHYPNOTIST · Post by **RICKHYPNOTIST** » Wed Jan 24, 2001 1:12 am

Jeffery Dunn,
YOU WILL......
BUY MORE RICKENBACKER STRINGS!!!!!!BUY MORE RICKENBACKER STRINGS!!!!!!BUY MORE RICKENBACKER STRINGS!!!!!!BUY MORE RICKENBACKER STRINGS!!!!!!BUY MORE RICKENBACKER STRINGS!!!!!!BUY MORE RICKENBACKER STRINGS!!!!!!BUY MORE RICKENBACKER STRINGS!!!!!!......

well, have you went out and bought them yet????

BUY MORE RICKENBACKER STRINGS!!!!!!BUY MORE RICKENBACKER STRINGS!!!!!!
dont look at the man behind the curtain....
BUY MORE RICKENBACKER STRINGS!!!!!!

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Wed Jan 24, 2001 10:17 am

Buy WHAT EVER STRINGS YOU WANT !

This is crazy to think that one brand is better than the rest.This is like any product.We all have a personal preference ,and strings lasting quality is effected by personal methods of playing style and the acidity of your body.

If all strings were created eqwual ....many people would be really upset with their choice.

I will continue to use 5 different brands of strings for my 24 guitars that I personally own and hope that the people that I make guitars for use any type they want and have a great time playing .

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Wed Jan 24, 2001 10:21 am

By the way ...I am sure that the supplier of these string to Rickenbacker is a well know source to the masses but the Private labeling of them does not make them any better or worse than any commercial brand .

I can not imagine Rickenbacker selling a poor quality product .I know they have gone thru different suppliers over the years and continue to upgrade.

By the way ...My hat off to JH and the crew of the plant ...great looking guitars from the Winter 2001 show ,I am anxious to try out them .I hope a NorthWest dealer was as interested as I am and stepped up and wrote a P.O.

RICKHYPNOTIST · Post by **RICKHYPNOTIST** » Wed Jan 24, 2001 11:35 am

Mark MD & ALL RICK FORUM READERS,
YOU WILL BE GETTING VERY SLEEPY, WHEN I SNAP MY FINGERS YOU WILL PUT RICKENBACKER STRINGS ON ALL YOUR INSTRUMENTS....DONT QUESTION...JUST DO......BUY MORE RICKENBACKER STRINGS....BUY MORE RICKENBACKER STRINGS....BUY MORE RICKENBACKER STRINGS....BUY MORE RICKENBACKER STRINGS....BUY MORE RICKENBACKER STRINGS....BUY MORE RICKENBACKER STRINGS....BUY MORE RICKENBACKER STRINGS....
The Wizzard of OZ

Jeffery_Dunn · Post by **Jeffery_Dunn** » Wed Jan 24, 2001 3:15 pm

My point was not to hype Rick strings as "the best", but they are what I use on my Rick 12 and I'm happy with them. My point was that Mr. Hall claimed that the only reason one would want to move the bridge plate is to put "low quality" strings on them ( according to his Jan.15th posting). That is not the reason I had to move mine, I assure you! I don't know if his comment, which I found insulting, was denial, or a defense against criticism. Anyway, I just wanted to set the record straight.

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Wed Jan 24, 2001 7:04 pm

I personally think John Hall's solution with the bridge baseplate to allow for users personal preferences in strings and being able to easily compensate their 12s is a great, if simple idea.
Thanks John! Now no one can complain....

Gerry · Post by **Gerry** » Thu Jan 25, 2001 11:04 am

Jeffery,
You're not the only one who thinks this way.
Stick to your guns.

RICKHIP · Post by **RICKHIP** » Thu Jan 25, 2001 11:57 am

oh, hell!!!!
' I was just joking around dont get your feathers ruffled, calm down boys.....for a bunch of Beatles fans this forum sure has some stiffs....
RICKHIPNOTIST.....

Tony_Cook · Post by **Tony_Cook** » Fri Jan 26, 2001 9:11 pm

Mr. Hall,
If you are here would you mind explaining why the bridge was changed to the new style with springs? I have RIC's with both types, and I find the old style with the nuts much easier to adjust, plus you get the full width of the channel without the springs getting in the way. Obviously it was originally designed to have that amount of adjustment, and it worked like that for several decades, so why change it? It appears you will be making them again for the C-series, so maybe it would be another solution to the problem? Thanks.

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Sat Jan 27, 2001 6:03 pm

Let me give you my point of view.

The old bridges were okay ,but as time went on the tooling needed to be upgraded.

At that time the chassis' were retooled to give a perfect square bottomed channel .The older ones do NOT have this and have a shortened throw because of it.

The new bridges are mechanically really nice by comparision.

The springs are there just to insure saddle stability.
plus those old saddles were notorious for difficulties in adjusting.The 'locking nut' would come loose every time you made an adjustment and after you made the adjustment ,you needed to lock down the nut ,requiring another adjustment.It just is NOT as accurate.

Perhaps with new guitars about to appear in the summer ...we will see new bridges also for a new 'modern' look.