Bridge adjustment - tilting forward?

[320capt]

I was under the understanding that the Rickenbacker bridge system was kept level with the face of the guitar as it was moved up or down.

After getting my 660/12 AFG back from it's first full set up should the bridge be tilled this far forward? With the way it is now I have no string clearance at the back of the bridge.

My six strings are also coming back from set up with some forward bridge tilt from two different luthiers. Three of my other Rickenbacker's that have been set up under their previous owners (two from the 80's) the bridges are level with the face of the guitar.

Guidance please!

[schoolside]

the factory sends them out level.

[beatlefreak]

The bridge should be level.

[johnnysain]

I have this situation too with my bass, but in the oppostite direction. I get perfect intonation as it is. Is it something that has to be corrected and what are the causes? Thanks!

[admin]

Johnny: Welcome to the RickResource Forum. Please post a photo and identify the model and year of your bass so that Paul has the information he requires to assist you.

[320capt]

The bridge should be level.

And if I reset the bridge level that would require the saddles to be adjusted again for proper intonation because as the bridge is tilted back string length is going to change which is going to throw the intonation off - right?

[admin]

Yes Rick, I suspect additional adjustment will be required.

[beatlefreak]

Yes, intonation would need to be adjusted.

[320capt]

Is it a problem to leave it as it is? It looks to me that over time it would put undue stress on the adjustment screws.

I have copied the set up guide that Kris wrote from another post and may consider trying my hand at my first set up. I don't relish my first intonation attempt being on a 12 string.

If I understand the process right, I should first get the neck flat (which it is still not) by doing the 1/4 turn truss adjustments over a period of a few days, THEN level the bridge to the face of the guitar, set the action/bridge height followed by the intonation process?

I can only imagine once it is level, based on the amount the saddles will move with the bridge, how far off the intonation will be and it does not sound like those screws adjust easily.

When I asked about the bridge tilt on my six strings the first time I noticed it I was told that some tilt was necessary to insure a proper string path over the top tip part of the saddle. It was not near as pronounced on the six strings as it is on this 12 string. On Gibsons I have read about that type of issue being adressed by adjusting the Gibson stop bar bridge height to get the proper string path over the top of the saddle. Is that possibly being incorrectly applied here?

Then again, maybe this is a case of "a little bit knowledge is a bad thing" and I am being too picky here and just need to go play the thing!?

[schoolside]

It won't do any harm to leave the bridge as it is nor will it be a big deal if you level it out a bit. If you decide to level it keep in mind you may have to push the bridge back into place because of the strings downward pressure. If the intonation is off you will need to move the saddles forward a bit because you moved the bridge back. Here's my quote of the day: "Sometimes when you start messing with stuff, you can't stop". Your time might be better spent playing your guitars.

[admin]

This is not rocket science, however, the bridge should be level. Loosen your strings, level the bridge using the bridge screws and then re-tighten the strings to pitch. You may find that the intonation is not that far out. If it is, loosen the string, move the appropriate saddle and retighten to pitch and recheck. Continue until you get this right. I am assuming a straight neck here. Playing is important but the fundamentals must be in place too.

[beatlefreak]

+1

[doctorwho]

+1

+2

I've seen bridges like that before ... often a person doing a set-up will use that 'trick' to effectively move the strings forward to alter the intonation, instead of moving the saddles forward.

[320capt]

... often a person doing a set-up will use that 'trick' to effectively move the strings forward to alter the intonation, instead of moving the saddles forward.

That thought had crossed my mind too.

When it comes back with the neck not flat and the bridge tilted this much forward it is time to learn to do it yourself.

Thanks for the help guys, it will help me get started down that path.

[beatlefreak]

Do a search of the forum. You'll find plenty of info on Rickenbacjer setups in here.