Action on 360/12C63

[sunshine]

I bought Ric 360/12C63 over a year ago. It's still has the original factory setup. When I got it, I noticed that the action is pretty high. I mean sky high compared to my other guitars. I though maybe it's a Rickenbacker feature and the strings should be up high. So I have only been playing basic chords with it. But here are some rookie questions - do I create a serious problem if I take strings down? Should Ric's strings be upper/higher from the fretboard than any other guitars?

I'd appreciate any help.

[jingle_jangle]

12 people have read this post and nobody has yet given the resounding "NO!"?

In fact, the second thing I noticed (after the incredible presence of the guitar) about the first Rickenbacker I ever played, a new FG 360/12 back in 1965, was that the action was soooo low and it was so easy to play, all the way up the neck.

Factory setups are a good starting point for personal taste in string height, relief etc. However, I wouldn't call them particularly high in the action department--they're sort of "mid-stream".

Does it have the factory .010"-.046" set (medium on bottom, light on top)? This set is gauged to sound great and not overstress the trademark slim Rick neck. If they are the original strings, probably it's time to replace them. If they are not the original RIC strings, this could be part of your problem--higher-tension strings, over time, will put too much relief into the neck, and increase string height.

So, install a new set of factory strings, and tune it up to pitch. Action still high?

Before you lower the strings, sight along the fretboard edge on either side, from the headstock end down to the body end, to check relief. The factory specs say, no relief. If you see a definite forward bow in the neck, your guitar needs a truss rod adjustment, in this case a tightening. Once the relief is set, then the string height can be dialed-in, followed by intonation.

[sunshine]

Thank you for your reply.

Yes, the strings are over 1 year old and factory installed (strings are still in the guitar). That's partly, since I haven't played Ric much. And that's also because of high action, I assume. The strings are about 6 mm (0.25 inch) from the fretboard, when I measure them from the fret 21.

But now I'm changing the strings and starting to wonder if I should try to move the strings closer to the fretboard. I think I'll do that, and let's see if that decision is going to take me to heaven or hell...

[doctorwho]

One thing to remember is that if you need to raise the bridge, you should loosen the strings first to prevent stripping the threads on the bridge height adjustment screws. (It is less likely to happen when lowering the bridge.)

[8mileshigher]

One thing to remember is that if you need to raise the bridge, you should loosen the strings first to prevent stripping the threads on the bridge height adjustment screws. (It is less likely to happen when lowering the bridge.)

Amen to what Gary says --- I had that happen to me, stripping the threads on Bridge adjustment screws

[sunshine]

One thing to remember is that if you need to raise the bridge, you should loosen the strings first to prevent stripping the threads on the bridge height adjustment screws. (It is less likely to happen when lowering the bridge.)

Thanks for the tip. I will loosen the strings anyway and try to take the bridge down. I'll probably have to do truss rod adjustment also, but lets see... now, I have ordered proper tools (rulers etc.) from the music store. And I'm waiting those. So I'm trying to do the job as good as possible.

[sunshine]

Hi, I tried to took the bridge down a bit, but then I noticed that it won't go down. The reason was, that the bridge cover has so long screws, that the bridge is not going down. I removed bridge cover and I got the guitar action lowered. Now the guitar is "playable".

Does anyone else have the bridge cover screws so long, that bridge won't come down? Or is this mistake of manufacturing?

[sunshine]

I look at the problem again. And the screw is long only in the bass side. Tremble screw is short. I put bridge cover to the guitar and now it is tighten with one screw. Now I'm happy. I think this guitar get a lot of playing time from now on. Action is good now and the (acoustic) sound is incredible!

[jingle_jangle]

Excellent results, Peter. Nothing matters except how it feels and plays to you. Congrats and enjoy.

Please stick around, now, and catch some "Rick Fever"!

[sunshine]

I already got a high temperature Rick fever yesterday evening. My fingers are numb today

It's great feeling when you get "old" guitar back to alive. It has been in my plan, that I will put this guitar to "good shape", but it took me about year to do so. Mostly because I have other guitars that are already in good shape. I know I have been a bit lazy/busy, but now I'm really happy that this guitar is back in business.

Thank you all! This is a very helpful and friendly forum. I'll stick around.

[kiramdear]

Thank you all! This is a very helpful and friendly forum. I'll stick around.

Please do! And we love photos, if you can manage it.

[sunshine]

And we love photos, if you can manage it.

Really?!...
Here is couple...

[analogpackrat]

Glad you've got the action where you like it. Nice pair of guitars! Thanks for posting pics.

[sunshine]

Nice pair of guitars!

Thanks, I guess Mr. Harrison could like them. RIP

[doctorwho]

Glad you've got the action where you like it. Nice pair of guitars! Thanks for posting pics.

+1!

By the way, the long bridge cover screw was probably someone's attempt at replacing a lost original one. Glad you got the height issue sorted out!