12 string problem

[Rickygirl]

I put this on someone elses thread, so thought I would throw it open to the House....

I have had trouble with the nut on my 12 string. The strings don't sit right down into the grooves and when I tune it, the string stretches without moving and then suddenly gives and it goes sharp. My friend and guitar guru Mickey, had to fiddle about with it and put a mix of different strings on to get it right. The Rickenbacker strings just don't fit into the nut. He thought about filing down the grooves slightly to help, but is a bit anxious doing this. I ordered a new nut just in case it all went horribly wrong and Paul A suggested lighter strings. I do find it fairly difficult to play and tend to "clunk" the bottom E and A harmony strings. Mickey has been promising to do all this this for me, but he is trying to avoid it I think. He is very good with his "luthiering", but has been learning about Ricks on mine.

Any thought chaps?

[paologregorio]

I've read about this problem before on this forum but haven't encountered it myself. First you'll want to make sure that Mickey has put the strings in the correct slots, as Rick 12s are strung the opposite from other 12 strings. From the top of the guitar down, the main string is first, then the harmony string is below it. Did the strings on the guitar when you bought it fit in the slots?

[Rickygirl]

I know which way round the strings are supposed to be Paul. Give me some credit.

The shop restrung it for me when I bought it and they didn't fit the slots then. They put Rick strings on. This is why Mickey fiddled about with it and restrung it again with different strings.

[scotty]

Hi Sarah.The mad Scotsman here how you doing?I was just wondering what gauge of strings are you using right now and is this on your lovely 360 BB that this is happening?

[doctorwho]

Sarah, I suggest that you also post this under The Vibrola section, as it sounds like you need our expert luthiers' opinions.

IMO the nut slots are not cut wide enough; the strings should fit all the way in the slot, and the slots should be cut with a slight angle down toward the headstock (the highest point being near the fretboard).

[tennis_nick]

sounds like the slots need to be widened just a touch.

If you don't want to go through the trouble, a friend of mine once went from 9's to 11's, and to make the slots wider, he took the string and ran it through the slot like a saw! hehehe, probably not the most high tech method, but that Les Paul NEVER goes out of tune!

[jingle_jangle]

See my response in your other thread post...

A good reason not to cross-post, BTW.

[jps]

A good reason not to cross-post, BTW.

With eyes like those it is hard not to cross....

[brianeharmonjr]

I don't see why someone would be so sheepish about filing out the slots in the nut. It's a pretty standard repair. I also add a little liquid graphite in the slots when I do this.

[deaconblues]

I had a guitar nut pretty much ruined by a stupid tech at a reputable store...not that far-fetched.

[jingle_jangle]

I don't see why someone would be so sheepish about filing out the slots in the nut. It's a pretty standard repair. I also add a little liquid graphite in the slots when I do this.

Rickenparalysis, plain and simple. A temporary condition brought on by fear of messing things up when confronted by a legendary brand of guitar that many know nothing about. As if it ran on unobtanium or sumthin'.

[jimk]

... As if it ran on unobtanium or sumthin'.

Paul, you crack me up!

JimK

[Rickygirl]

was just wondering what gauge of strings are you using right now and is this on your lovely 360 BB that this is happening?

Hi Scott. Yes, it is my 360 Blue Boy. I think the strings are 9's, but I do have some 8's to try.

Thank you for the responses chaps. Doing something that is irrepairable if you "**** it up" is the reason for being a bit of a Shaun.

I know I cross posted. Sorry.

Should I still post this on the Vibrola section still?

[Rickygirl]

Paul W, In reply to your reply on the other thread, I understand what you are saying about the guage of strings. One reason I wanted to try the lighter ones was because I sometimes have difficulty putting enough pressure on the harmony string on the bottom E and A to stop it clunking. I realise this is lousy playing, and I had even considered selling it as I couldn't play it to it's full potential. Maybe having the slots in the nut widened will help a bit, but i don't think I can manage the Rick strings even though I have a set in my guitar box together with the 8s.

Maybe I should consider selling it to someone who can play it properly.

[tennis_nick]

I think you can solve the problem without selling your beloved guitar.

One thing that I did to make playing easier was to tune down to Eb. Basically, you're in standard tuning but all the strings are down 1/2 step. It's easier for me to sing, and easier for the fingers to fret and bend. Plus, you retain the tone of the slightly larger strings. I find 10's in Eb are as slinky as you'll ever want to get. That 1/2 step down makes for a big lush tone I find, but that's just me...