Help with 360/12 bridge, please

[patdaddy]

Hi, i just got my first Ric, a mapleglow 360/12, circa 2006. It just got delivered UPS, so the strings have been loosened. I see the bridge has 4 screws making contact with the plate that is screwed to the wood. Are these 4 screws supposed to be threaded into the plate? Or just making contact?

Thanks everyone

[Clint]

No, they do not screw into the plate. The plate simply has dimples into which the screws rest. The bridge is held in place by string tension alone.

Oh, I almost forgot, hello and welcome.

[patdaddy]

Thank you!
Now then...should all 4 screws be screwed down towards the plate the same ammount? or is that a setup issue, just see how it feels after the strings are brought to tune, and adjust from there?

[8mileshigher]

Welcome aboard Patrick !!! Hope you will enjoy your Ric !

One word of advice re the Bridge Height Adjustment screws --- never turn them with the full string tension on them. Unfortunately, several of us have suffered with the threads getting stripped from the pressure. Always loosen your strings up, lift them a little with your fingers, to lessen the tension from the Bridge when adjusting those delicate screws !

Re your specific question, its probably unlikely they would all four be exactly the same, you'll just have to untune the strings, try some settings on the Bridge Height adjustment screw, re-tune the guitar and see how your action is and if anything is buzzing. Repeat as necessary - but always lessen the tension by de-tuning first.

Check out the "Search" function up in the upper right hand corner... it will lead you to a wealth of knowledge (and questions and answers) that other Forum members have posted about any subject with their Rics. Also if you are new to the Forum, the Rickenbacker Photography section is always a very nice place to start, for getting your enthusiasm into high gear ! Check out the Confluences section for get-togethers, jam sessions and events with other Ric enthusiasts.

Rock On !

[Clint]

Thank you!
Now then...should all 4 screws be screwed down towards the plate the same ammount? or is that a setup issue, just see how it feels after the strings are brought to tune, and adjust from there?

Yes, I would say that's a set up issue. What you don't want is the bridge to lean forward or backward. Of course, slanting side to side is fine. The bass side generally ends up being a little higher than the treble side due to string thickness.

[patdaddy]

Thanks everyone, i'll play with it this weekend.