Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Great videos Bro, thanks alot. Got some good info on pup adjustments. Thanks again. Mark

2112 wrote:I look at it like it's the tech's fault when he busts the neck vs it's your fault when you break your neck.

Working on guitars is not for everyone. People should know their limitations. If they are not good with hand tools, they shouldn't be adjusting guitars, but they do have to be careful who they choose to work on their Ricks, especially the older ones. Then again, some so-called 'guitar repairmen" can botch up any make or model guitar, after doing even the simplest of tasks.
It was before I learned to work on guitars, about '79, I brought the '76 Precision Bass I used to have, to a guitar repairmen (I won't mention where) to install a brass nut. He left the nut tall and the slots so high, the P-bass was unplayable and he left the top ends dangerously pointy and sharp. I did a much better job on it after I took it home. It was then I figured I should learn to some of the easier stuff myself.

regarding the part where you used a screwdriver to bend the rods back up, is that when people usually crack the neck/pop off the fretboard - due to not clamping the neck?

steversaurus wrote:regarding the part where you used a screwdriver to bend the rods back up, is that when people usually crack the neck/pop off the fretboard - due to not clamping the neck?

That is one scenario, another is just from tightening the rods without bending the neck into the desired position first and then snugging up the rods to hold it place.

jps wrote:

steversaurus wrote:regarding the part where you used a screwdriver to bend the rods back up, is that when people usually crack the neck/pop off the fretboard - due to not clamping the neck?

That is one scenario, another is just from tightening the rods without bending the neck into the desired position first and then snugging up the rods to hold it place.

In this scenario, I usually use an open ended 1/4 spanner (wrench) to undo the nut (plus leave both in tension to undo the difficult one), as the screwdriver will actually put more tension on the rods which is the opposite of what you are trying to achieve.

Still not clear to me. Most of us start with the strings tuned to pitch. So,

1) The strings are tuned to pitch,
2) THEN the neck is bent back (But how far?),
3) THEN, with the neck bent back into 'some' position, the nuts are tightened (But how far are the nuts tightened? In the video it says until they can't turn anymore. ?!)
4) What about afterwards when you attempt to adjust the neck to add/subtract tension?

With the strings up to correct pitch and the nuts loosened (we're talking old style rods) bend the neck to the desired position, as in, the amount of relief wanted, then snug up the nuts till they don't move with any appreciable amount of torque. What you are doing is expanding the rods to hold the neck in position; you do not want to use the rods to force the neck into place, that is what causes fingerboard separation and/ or cracked necks.

DavyR wrote:Still not clear to me. Most of us start with the strings tuned to pitch. So,

1) The strings are tuned to pitch,
2) THEN the neck is bent back (But how far?),
3) THEN, with the neck bent back into 'some' position, the nuts are tightened (But how far are the nuts tightened? In the video it says until they can't turn anymore. ?!)
4) What about afterwards when you attempt to adjust the neck to add/subtract tension?

1) Correct.
2) Like I said in the vid, pull down on the neck until the strings are completely flush against the fingerboard.
3) Again like I said in the vid as tight as you can go using a nut driver with the strength of your hand and not force them anymore after that.
4) If done properly, you won't attempt to adjust the neck to add/subtract tension, you do the process over again. Once again, like I said in the vid, you might have to do it more than once to get it right, especially if you're new to it. I've setup many 4001's. I usually get it right on the first attempt.

I'll be doing more setup and maintenance vids very soon. Not just limiting to bass guitars either. Don't be surprised if you see a 330, 360, 370 or other model setup/maintenance vid at some point.

rickenbrother wrote: Don't be surprised if you see a 330, 360, 370 or other model setup/maintenance vid at some point.

Now this should be cool addition to your website for us six and twelve string players.

winston wrote:Now this should be cool addition to your website for us six and twelve string players.

With the help of my local 6 and 12 string Rick playing forum buddies, the site will be expanded to cover those skinny stringed guitars also. I've been RASin' badly for a 330 Jetglo anyway...some day.

winston wrote:

rickenbrother wrote: Don't be surprised if you see a 330, 360, 370 or other model setup/maintenance vid at some point.

Now this should be cool addition to your website for us six and twelve string players.

Um, six and twelve string BASSES!

jps wrote:

winston wrote:

rickenbrother wrote: Don't be surprised if you see a 330, 360, 370 or other model setup/maintenance vid at some point.

Now this should be cool addition to your website for us six and twelve string players.

Um, six and twelve string BASSES!

At this point, a six string bass is highly unlikely, but a 5, 8 or 12 string bass, very likely!

I'm thinking of having an 8 string bass built.

Well, I'm late to this one!

As a guitar player I don't normally venture into the bass section unless I get a friendly tip that something is of specific interest to me, and, well........here I am

First off, this was a great day, friends, fun, and informative. I learned how to do intonation. That in itself will save me hundreds of dollars over the years. Joey is very generous in sharing his knowledge and skills. Also Rick dual truss rods seem way less scary to me now.

That's my Wifes' (the lovely Jennifers') bass, and she hasn't played in a while, so the strings were off for years (we both mistakenly believed that was better for storing it for long periods on non playing, until it was "pointed out" to us that we were mistaken by Joey and Gary at a Christmas get together last December).

I think Joey did an amazing job on the video, clear and concise. Even I understand what he was doing (and why). In reference to my camera work, if we do it again I might move the camera a bit more slowly across the bass, but it's not too bad. I've got a pretty steady hand and the HD doesn't hurt either. We'll do an "outakes" reel with deleted scenes and bloopers for the enhanced double bluray version

Jen bought the bass from Norms Rare Guitars here in L.A. in the early '90's before we got married and played it a lot, just not recently; and it is a beauty that needs to be played.

When Joey feels ready, I've got a nice 12 string 36012c63 I'm willing to trust in his hands. I'm sure he'll let me know when the time is right.

I won't speak for Rich or Diane but I think we all had a nice day helping him on this project, I know I did.

Cheers,

Dan-o

Just watched the video's Thank you Joey.