New member, with a few questions! (Standard jack issues...

[Glider]

Hey Guys!!!!!!!

I’m new to the forum but I used to check on here every so often to catch up on the latest Ric goss. That being said, I love Ric’s but I’m not as knowledgeable as most of you guys and I have a few questions….

About 3 months ag I got a second-hand 91’ Jetglow 360/12 . It looked a tad ratty, had a few minor bumps and scuffs but I got it quite cheap (2,200 AUS). The only main problem was the ‘standard’ jack was ****** and the guitar lead would fit in fine but slightly push itself out and not stay in. At the time I didn’t think it was much of an issue.

Anyway, I wanted to get it set up and cleaned up about a month ago. I took it to a shop that seemed to know what it was doing, and I said that I wanted the standard jack fixed so the chord would stay. When I got it back, it seemed initially fine, but again started to slip out quite regularly. On top of that, when in the standard jack it doesn’t differentiate between the pickups when I change the settings (kind of like the ric-o-sound jack). I’m not sure if they fixed the actual jack, or messed up the re-wiring.
Basically I’m wondering how hard it is to change the jack on a Ric? I presume it’s like any other guitar, but is it special? How would I go about changing it myself? Also, how could you check to know if the wiring inside the guitar is messed up?

Also I initially had the stock standard Ric factory strings which I really liked, but the guys at the shop replaced them with some D'Addario EXL150 Nickel Wound 12 String Electric Guitar Strings. They are ok, but I find they have a tad too much resonance and interference, especially with the bass notes. They also seem a tad bluesy to me, but that might just be me. What is your thoughts on those strings? Not suited for a Ric? Get other ones?

Sorry about this bombardment of questions, I just hope I didn’t get a lemon.

[cjj]

Welcome to the forum! Lots to be learned here and a lot of fun!

First off, if you can read a schematic, here's the wiring diagram for a 360:

http://www.rickenbacker.com/pdfs/19502.pdf

As for changing output jacks, they're pretty much standard, you just take off the jack plate (4 screws) and they are attached to that with the nut around the barrel of the jack. The wires are often long enough that you can do it from the jack plate, but you may have to take the pickguard off and unsolder it from that end.

I've heard that there are some Asian made jack plugs out there that are slightly undersized and don't stay plugged in very well. You might try a different lead just to be sure...

[jingle_jangle]

I can't emphasize enough the importance of using an American-made Switchcraft jack, as the factory does.

Asian jacks are lighter-duty, made of inferior materials with inferior plating, and are 6mm (.234"), instead of the .252" inside diameter of a Switchcraft jack. Allowing for the designed-in plug clearance on the cord (American plugs run .001-.002" undersized) and the smaller diameter of Asian cord plugs, there are several possible scenarios involving Asian cords and American jacks (one pickup only will work sometimes), the opposite (American plug will be too tight a fit into Asian jack), and others.

As an aside, the endpin jacks I use on acoustics with the LRBaggs iMix system, though American-made, are sized to be a snugger fit around Asian plugs. They're right at .250. Result is a VERY snug fit around American plugs.

[mcarroll1031]

Speaking of parts. There seem to be alot of things that are "temporarily unavailable" and have been for quite some time now. I wonder how long it will take to clear that up, or is it on the back burner till the backlog of instruments is knocked down?

[gregga41]

Hey Glider, welcome to the forum!
I gather that you are in Australia?..Quote- purchase price $AU2200.. Plenty of aussies around here, join in!

[Bighouse]

[quote="jingle_jangle"]I can't emphasize enough the importance of using an American-made Switchcraft jack, as the factory does...quote]

Like this? http://www.switchcraft.com/products/jack-100b.html

[jingle_jangle]

That's an acoustic/electric endpin jack.

[antipodean]

Welcome Sebastian!

Nice price on the 360/12!

The advice you've already got on the jack is as good as it gets. In the event you need a better repair guy, and you're in Sydney, Frank Grubisa is a genius (his forte is restoration and refinishes, but he has done some electrical work for me in the past to an excellent standard). Dave Scotland at Turramurra Music is also pretty switched on. The big plus with these guys is that they are humble enough to listen to what you want.

I'm sure Gregg, Aitch, Shane and Trotty can steer you right if you're in Vic. I know of some decent guys in Brisbane too, but only by word-of-mouth - no personal experience.

On strings, my 660/12 came with the D'addarios, and they work fine for me. The issue with this sort of comparison is that differences in guitar (solid body 660 v semi hollow 360), amp, playing style (lack thereof in my case), musical genre, pickups, set-up etc all contribute, so what works for me may well sound like gravel hitting tin to you.

All the best with that fine guitar!

[Glider]

Cheers for all the help guys.
I'm living in Melbourne and I've definitely noticed that there is an undercurrent of Ric followers all over Aus.
I presented the issue to a friend who's a guitar buff and he (and myself) reckon that I should probably take it to someone who actually knows totally what they are doing. The guys at the store I took it to where cool, but didn't help me out too much.
Even if I replace the jack, I'm very sure there is problems with the wiring and I don't want to mess it up more. I'll source out someone in Melbourne that is spot on with electrical workings.
Also, yeah those strings I've got are cool, but not really what I was looking for in playing style, something much cleaner but with the jangle. I'll get some of the strings you've recommended in this post and other ones, see what ones suit.

[gregga41]

You might try Darren at Guitar Emporium in Sth Melbourne, great guy with a wealth of vintage experience.
Where in Melbourne Sebastian?

[Glider]

I'm living in Carlton at the moment. Where are you living greg? Any other dudes in here from melbourne? YEah, I'll Guitar emporium a look and see how they cna help. Cheers for all the help.

[gregga41]

Dingley Village here, members all over the city, Parkdale, Mt. Martha, Ringwood,etc. and we all get together every once in a while. So, if you are interested, we'll let you know when the next one is on! You will be made most welcome!

[doctorwho]

Welcome, Sebastian. Please keep us updated on your progress with getting the wiring issue resolved. And post a picture of your guitar when you get it back to working - we love pictures!