Using Radius Gauges on Rick 12s for String Height

[akpasta]

Hey All,

I just installed a new 12-saddle bridge on my 360/12v64. Love it so far. It was the first time I ever cut bridge slots using a set of files. It was pretty easy, although I'll say the Rickenbacker 12-saddle bridge wasn't sized quite right, I was cutting slots like RIGHT at the edge of saddles, but I got it to work ok. I need to get the saddle slot heights dialed in just right though because you gotta have your action low on a rick 12 so things don't fret sharp, but go too low and you get the dreaded buzz on your higher strings. Eyeballing got close cuz thankfully the bridge itself has an accurate radius, but I'm not quite there.

I have the correct 10" radius gauge (t-shape type, not flat type so I can go under the strings). Some people suggest (6-string guitars usually) that it's okay to put the gauge on TOP of the strings to measure the radius. However, my thinking is on a 12 string I should measure from under the strings, since I want to measure the distance between the bottom of each string to the fretboard, 12 string guitar pairs can have wildly different string gauges (like the low E 44-26, A 36-20, and D 26-11 strings). Does that make sense to you all?

PS I put my own custom sets together from single strings. I use Ernie Ball Pure Nickel Rollerwound strings (semi-flat). I've found this gauge set has the best tuning stability and evenness of tone.
44-26
36-20p
26-11
20w-8
13-13
10-10

[jps]

...my thinking is on a 12 string I should measure from under the strings, since I want to measure the distance between the bottom of each string to the fretboard...

Correct.

When I set up my instruments I always measure from the top of the fret to the underside of the strings.