Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

manta wrote:So if I suspect my intonation is off, possibly due to a recent truss adjustment on my 12-string... do the forum folks here recommend I change strings first, adjust the bridge first or back off on the truss adjustment a hair? Or a combination of all three?

The way I do it, which may or may not be the optimum way is as follows:

(1) change strings
(2) adjust the bridge to get the action where I want it
(3) adjust the neck if needed
(4) recheck the bridge, of course, by tuning up and playing all strings at all frets (no buzzing anyway is what I am aiming for)
(5) check intonation at the 12th fret and make saddle adjustments as needed
(6) check intonation at other frets, tweak tuning to get good sound with best compromise

Thanks Gary,

I guess I am puzzled here as this is really the first time I have had an intonation problem after adjusting the truss on any RIC in over 30 years. Since it seems to have worked as the overall action is much, much better (no buzzes, bad frets, etc) and also the high E-string seems to be the only real intonation problem, I think I will go:

1) Strings
2) Bridge
3) Back of the truss ever so slightly

Sound like a plan?

Thanks for the input so far.

Manta