12 string bridge question

[Spellcaster]

I've recently bought a Fender XII clone with a TOM-style bridge. I'd like to upgrade it to a bridge offering 12-saddle intonation. Can somebody tell me what the string spread is at the bridge on a Rickenbacker twelve string guitar? Thanks

[iiipopes]

I used to own both a real '65 Fender XII, I have played the Gibson double neck with its TOM, and I currently have my 360-12WB FG ckbd. If the clone has also cloned the original bridge, then you are out of luck. The string spacing on a Rickenbacker 12-string is right at 2 inches, maybe a tad more. Fender 12's start at @ 2 5/32 for the Gotoh-equipped Strat version, and the original Fender XII with the barrel saddles has a spacing of @ 2 3/8. Since you say it has a Tune-O-Matic, I would look for a Tune-O-Matic 12-saddle version to slip on the posts instead, keeping in mind they are very expensive, and if you're guitar is a clone, it may cost more than it is worth.

Your current TOM will intonate, just like a 6-saddle Rickenbacker 12-string bridge will intonate, using proper strings. Use a set of strings that has a wound 3rd unison G string, a plain octave A string, and carefully selected low E strings.

The sets that get the most play are:
Original Rickenbacker set
Thomastik-Infeld nickel flats
Any of the sets from Pick of the Ricks

And in addition, guitarstringsonline.com has a D'Addario set for RickResource members that changes out the plain unison G for the wound G, and adjusts a couple of the other gauges as well.

I prefer strings a little bit lighter than these sets. I currently use my own custom set I assemble from D'Addario singles (yes, they make the odd gauges):

9 1/2, 12, 8, 10 1/2, 14, 22w
9 1/2, 12, 18w, 24w, 32w, 42w

Because the low E strings are both wound, with different core diameters, and therefore different core stretch, they don't intonate together, so I purchased a spare saddle blank from RIC and filed it offset, so the octave string intonates off the front of the saddle, and the unison low E string intonates off the back of the saddle. If you run into this, maybe there are replacement saddles for your bridge that you can cut a new saddle for the low E string pair.

[theonemanband]

I have recently bought a 620/12 and have read this thread with interest; I would appreciate advice on a couple of points.

The 620/12 comes supplied with a 6 saddle bridge, the 660/12 with a 12 saddle, does that mean that the 660 can be perfectly intoned and the 620 not?

Also, I understand of the many 12 string sets available, Rickenbacker now recommend their 10-46 round wound, whereas originally, "compressed" round wound 10-42 were the recommended string of choice, (they are still available from Rickysounds and, I understand intone better on a 6 string bridge).

I was considering swapping out the 6 string bridge for a 12 saddle on my 620/12 (10-44 custom set) in pursuit of perfect intonation

So, what IS Ric's recommended string for the 620/12 and what IS the recommended bridge (and will the compressed gauge string intone more precisely on the 6 string bridge)?

Cheers..........Brian

[vjf1968]

A six saddle bridge will intonate just fine. It's just like a Telecaster bridge with 3 saddles. It's all about getting as close as you can. Have a luthier set the guitar up to that way you want it. It will cost less than the $125 you will pay for a 12 string bridge assembly. You should ever have to re-intonate if you're using the same gauge strings over and over again.

A 12 string saddle let's you individually adjust each strings intonation. I find a 12 string saddle a better option but if one is not in your budget you just have to find the sweet spot where both strings that share the saddle are as close as you can get them. As far as the strings, I would think that the new Ricks can take any string you throw at them but I do find that the TI flats tend to intonate better and last longer than the round wound strings. The choice really is yours.

[iiipopes]

So, what IS Ric's recommended string for the 620/12 and what IS the recommended bridge (and will the compressed gauge string intone more precisely on the 6 string bridge)?

RIC has one set of strings. It intonates very well on the 6-saddle bridge. Just like the original Fender 150 set is what was used on 3-saddle Telecasters so it would intonate.

Mr. JH does not care for the 12-saddle bridge, although it is an offering, because he says having the intonation screws under each string takes away too much metal from the saddle and may affect tone and sustain.

Theoretically, the 12-saddle bridge can intonate better, because each string gets its own saddle, and because each player will have different finger pressure and playing styles. But except for what I posted above, I have always been satisfied with the 6-saddle bridge.

After all, if it perfectly intonates to the "Nth" degree, then you have no string interaction among the pairs, and no jangle.

[jdogric12]

http://www.guitarstringsonline.com/DAdd ... p_286.html

Great site - run by another person with my first and last name (really!)

[Ric5150]

Regarding the original post, I remembered seeing a 12-saddle TOM-type bridge the other day. Ended up tracking one down here.

http://www.allparts.com/GB-2580-010-ABM ... _1643.html

Generally speaking, though, there's really no such thing as "perfect intonation"....

[Chrome Aardvark]

Yep, I have a 12 saddle TOM style bridge on my Gibson ES-335 12-String and it's still slightly out.