Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

shamustwin wrote:Am I the only one here who likes and uses RIC factory strings?

No, I use factory strings or Curt Mangan on my 6 string and 4001. I do really like the flatwounds on the C63, though.

What makes a Rickenbacker guitar or bass more difficult to setup than the other brands? I've seen multiple people comment on how a tech not familiar with a Rickenbacker usually won't set it up right. I can see it with the old style truss rods, if the tech doesn't know how they work, but I don't see why it would be a problem with the new style rods. Maybe I'm just so much of a novice that I can't tell the difference

One of the main things I imagine is that the guitar was designed to have the neck be totally striaght instead of having the slight bow that most others require.

If it hasn't been said before, the RIC 12-string set are not flats, and they're not rounds. They're compression rounds.

No, with post-85 truss rods, it's not more difficult to set up. If anything, it's easier, because you have lateral adjustment now to make sure both sides of the neck are perfectly straight. But urban myth and jealous mis-information die hard.

Well, I finally got the RIC setup with strings I wanted and the truss rod is functioning properly. The nut slots and the intonation have been set properly and all is now well. I also had the treble cap bypassed, and this machine is now a sonic powerhouse, especially the bridge pickup. It is now the best sounding RIC 12 I've ever heard or played. Now I can fully appreciate the beauty and sound of this guitar. Merry Christmas, indeed!

Mike - where in TX are you?

Hey, Kenny. I'm in Austin. You're in Dallas now, correct?

Yes indeed. You want a setup on your 12, I set it up for you.

kennyhowes wrote:Yes indeed. You want a setup on your 12, I set it up for you.

Thanks, Kenny. I'm finally all set for now, but I'll keep that in mind for the future. Cheers.