Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Dale,

Just realized that I was comparing your guitar to a Ric in my last post. I wonder what John Hall would think of that. Hopefully he is as impressed with your craftsmanship as we all are.

By the way what are the neck specs? Width at the nuts etc. Also what is the scale length of the guitar and how are you planning to go about establishing the location of the bridge?

I look forward to your reply.

25 inch fret scale by 1 and 11/16ths at the top nut by 2 and 1/8th at the 21st fret. The placement of the bridge is a standard set up. Measure from top nut leading edge to the center of the 12th fret, now use that same distance to place the treble side of the bridge(high E) use a 1/16th of an inch flat compensation to allow for intonation. On the low E side allow an 1/8th inch flat compensation. What this does is give you compensation to allow for string stretch in the octave position. So on a 25 inch scale I set the high E bridge post at 12 and 9/16ths from the 12th fret and the low E side at 12 and 5/8ths.

How will you go about locating the bridge. Do you just measure the distance from the 12th fret approximately 50% of scale length? Also do you place it slightly closer to the neck to allow for intonation fine adjustments etc.? Just curious

Dale, please excuse the drooling, I like the Bigsby. An accent is nice too, but if you are a user of the vibrato, Bigsbys are the best choice for both looks and functionality, IMO. I think whatever tailpiece you use; trapeze, R, Accemnt or Bigsby would look great. With the Bigsby you have a guitar that works more for the player who uses the vibrato; that would be to my personal liking. Either way, the guitar looks stunning. The Autummglo, with checkered bingding, the awesome neck and inlays, is literally a work of art. This is a solid body design I would buy in a heartbeat. I am also very curious about the PUs. They look something like the dearmonds used on Guilds in the early 60s. They sound to me like a cross between a toaster and P90. Single coil heaven. This one is giving me serious GAS.

Dale, I've been following this thread from the beginning and all I can say is, WOW!

If I'm ever in a position to commission a custom guitar, I know where I would want to start.

As for a name, I would call is a DBF 825.

"If I'm ever in a position to commission a custom guitar, I know where I would want to start."

This should have said:

If I'm ever in a position to commission a custom guitar, I know the luthier I would want to contact first.

I would use some sort of stop-tail for the strings, for three reasons: solidity, simplicity and maximum exposure of the finish at the tail end of the guitar. Another idea (probably too late now) is some sort of string-thru design.

If you have a simple, solid anchoring of the strings to the neck-thru body of this guitar, you'll have a sustain monster.

The saying "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" is so evident in this thread.

Dale I am sure what ever you decide to do it will be the right choice for the guitar that you are building. I have always noticed that good artists and craftsman are very intuitive about their designs. Go with your instincts.

Oh, man! An "Electro" TRC? Icing on the cake!

The week is up and the finish has cured. It was time to buff this guitar out and assemble it! These are photos taken of various angels of the guitar and one of the author holding it. I must say not only does it sound great, but that Bigbys is perfect. It comes back to tune with no problems what so ever. The pick ups sound so good, 7.4K ohm single coils. They have a tone inbetween a Rick and P-90, perfect to my ear, althought with the treble boosted on my AC-30 they sound like a vintage toaster pick up. This guitar turned out to my best expectations, it looks good, sounds great and hangs so balanced on the strap you almost don't know it's there. It weighs 6lbs U.S./ 2 1/2kilos in metric. That's a feather. Thanks for all who watched and put in their feed back. My 10 year old Grand Daughter will be so surprised, this is her Christmas present. She started guitar lessons 2 weeks ago, she's been playing a 3/4 size acoustic for about 2 years. IMO this would be a great new line for John to consider Rickenbacker building. I've been around guitars all my life and the look and sound of this guitar will stand up to any Fender or Gibson. Now to go play it some more.
http://photobucket.com/albums/b53/DaleFortune/000_0484.jpg http://photobucket.com/albums/b53/DaleFortune/000_0488.jpg
http://photobucket.com/albums/b53/DaleFortune/000_0486.jpg http://photobucket.com/albums/b53/DaleFortune/000_0491.jpg http://photobucket.com/albums/b53/DaleFortune/000_0492.jpg
http://photobucket.com/albums/b53/DaleFortune/000_0494.jpg http://photobucket.com/albums/b53/DaleFortune/000_0498.jpg

I bet it plays as good as it looks!

One word: Beautiful

.

I love it.

I must add, that's a really great shot of you with the guitar.

John, this guitar plays better than it looks, at least in my hands. Now if you want to come over and give it a test run, come right ahead. The pearl inlays came out so nice, did you notice the square heel? It's hard to see the beauty in the photos I post, I have an inexpensive digi camera made buy Kodak. It was $99.00, but it doesn't focus well and no close up shots, they turn out blurred. Maybe Ratso will post some pictures for me during the week.

Lucky Girl ;^} Great work Dale