My first and last Rick?

[chai-man]

After a long, time consuming but fun search, I finally hunted down a 1979 450-12, thanks to Dusan (cheers for the pointer!), and it has arrived. It's now officially registered and I'm a proud owner of a Rickenbacker guitar!

It has certainly been around the block, with a enormous amount of weather-checking on the body and neck (no through finish to the wood dings, though) and the unusual butterscotch finish (with black p/guard and trc) has faded unevenly (but I think most attractively) to somewhere between butter and cream . Otherwise neck straight as a die, good frets and electronics and all orginal, bar the case. Solid little fella - reminds me a bit of a Tele in that regard, or my kids! $650 US was an exceptionally fine price, especially from a guitar shop, for a vintage Rickenbacker 12 string, even if it is an unfashionable model and colour. Thanks Barking Dog guitars, CT, for the consignment sale.

Sounds completely brilliant too, but...intonation is horrible, unplayable to my ear beyond the third position, with the exception of the high E strings. I've bought an adjustable 12 string Rick bridge from another member, which will hopefully solve this problem.

But is this intonation issue soluble, given the current original bridge? How do you tweak the bridge? There's a couple of threaded bolts poking out on each side of the top of the bridge, but i'm not sure how to turn these, there being no nut that I can see.

My last Rick? Well, my wife has just instituted a new, fiscally neutral, one-in-one-out policy, with an additional five year moratorium on my guitar buying. So I have plenty of time to consider the next guitar purchase (360WB?) - and decide which one of my others will leave home permanently without me.

[jwilli]

Hmm, do you think that your 450/12 was orignally White and has faded? Most likely. If it doesn't intonate correctly....what gauge strings are you using? I'm thinking the 12 string bridge should help a lot. An Allen wrench inserted into the top of the screw will adjust the height.

[doctorwho]

Simon, if you search the archives you will find one of my posts that discusses the 'tricks' to setting the intonation on a 450 six-string ... the same procedure should work with a twelve-string, especially, like John has indicated, if you use correct gauge strings.

[chai-man]

John, on the fade, I'm 100% sure it was (and mostly still is) butterscotch yellow - it's definitely not a white guitar that has ivoried with age. Far too yellow for that - I'd post a pix if i knew how. I've seen photos of 480s and 4001 basses in the same colour from the same era. I suspect it's faced quite a lot of radical climatic variation and sunlight, and this is the reason for the uneven current finish. Anyway, I rather like it like that, combined with the checking, and it made it affordable for me (my guitar budget is very limited)!

Thanks for the tips on set up. I'll follow up.

[jdogric12]

Sounds like a neat piece. I love the 450/12 model. Sounds like a "White" finish with natural yellowing with age. Or a refin. Got pics?

[ajish4]

My first and last Rick?

Isn't that impossible?

[jdogric12]

I think Tony's right. But there is a first time for everything. Hey, Tony, didn't the guy you got the 74 from only have that one?

[ajish4]

I think Tony's right. But there is a first time for everything. Hey, Tony, didn't the guy you got the 74 from only have that one?

I think you're right Jdog....but possibly, he was the exception?

That is one special bass too Jdog, she's a keeper and thanks to your help, she'll be staying in Florida for another 30 years or so!

[jdogric12]

Florida and I are very glad to hear that.

[Janglyman]

Simon,

Congrats on your 450-12. I also wonder about the color. I have a '66-'67 450-12 in natural (mapleglo). The book leads me to believe that it's relatively rare. I wonder if yours was originally the same. I have not experienced tuning issues with mine. Moving the bridge back and forth cures the intonation problem. Mine intonates well for such a clunky hunk of metal.

I didn't know Ric made a 12-saddle bridge for a 450. I hope that installing it won't reduce the vintage value of your guitar.

Send a pix.

Janglyman