"New" 330 neck problem.

aristeas · Post by **aristeas** » Fri Jan 14, 2005 4:22 pm

My new (to me) 330 has a bowed neck from two years in it's case tuned at pitch. I've been adjusting this progressively over the last 12 weeks to coax it back into a flattish neck and low action. This has had varied results and I'm still patiently working away at it. Then I tuned it to Eb flat (to play some Smithereens) and it's almost perfect. The strings are still high but the neck is now much more playable.

Is there a way of bringing this up to regular tuning which will balance the trruss rod settings and the greater string tension? I'm using 10-42s BTW

roadrunners · Post by **roadrunners** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 7:36 am

Being a fraidy cat, i'd say take it to a store and have it re-setup for 50$, its not worth possibly having the fretboard pop off

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 10:01 am

The instrument is designed to be kept at pitch at all times and if it hasn't been for a period of time it may well take a number of adjustments to get it back straight.

The strings should present no problem- just follow the owner's manual instructions- any one of the links that's been given at all the different forums you've posted this message previously.

The rods don't have to be adjusted the same, just however you need to set them to get a dead flat nack on treble and bass sides.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 11:58 am

Jeez, Lee, if you posted this on alt.guitar.rickenbacker, those dweebs will just use it to fuel their hatred...very bad karma over there...

aristeas · Post by **aristeas** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 5:06 pm

So the neck on a Ric should be dead flat? ie no neck relief? This is certainly true on my 660. The 330's fingerboard is thicker at the nut and becomes thinner as you go up the neck. This would imply a truly flat neck is the right set up - which would mean far superior intonation all the way up the neck than on most brands of guitar. Is this what I should be aiming for?

Anyway, after a few days with the 330 tuned to Eb I adjusted the truss rods and tuned to E. Result? Much, much better. The fretboard is flatter, still with a little neck relief, but much better to play. And I love playing it! This weekend will be the first jam of the year for the gang of 40+ guitar fiends I hang out with, and they're going to be treated to some fabulous Ric 330 sound. The Elvis Costello version of "Whats So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding" will do for starters..

aristeas · Post by **aristeas** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 4:04 pm

Hi John, You posted this:

"The rods don't have to be adjusted the same, just however you need to set them to get a dead flat nack on treble and bass sides."

So I should be trying to get an absolutely dead flat neck, or should there be some neck relief on my 330?

TIA, LK