Anyone take a caliper to their Ric neck?

scott_s · Post by **scott_s** » Thu Dec 06, 2001 3:24 pm

Used Rickenbackers hardly ever come through my area, so I was curious how the thickness of their necks compares to, say, a modern Fender neck. For example, my Tele's neck measures .820" thick by the 1st fret, and about .850" by the 12th.

I've heard that Ric necks tended to be pretty thin.

Thanks!
- Scott

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Sat Dec 08, 2001 6:34 am

Here are some neck measurements from different companies you may compare them to Rickenbacker .

Fender 1952 Esquire -

width at the nut ............ 41.7mm/1.644
width at 12th fret......... 51.2mm/2.016
depth at 1st fret.............23.1mm/.912
depth at 12th fret............25.2mm/.995

Gibson Les Paul goldtop 1957

width at nut ................42.8mm/1.687
width at 12th fret.........52.2mm/2.055
depth at 1st fret ...........23.4mm/.922
depth at 12th fret...........26.3mm/1.036

1968 CF Martin D-28

width at the nut .............43.9mm/1.730
width at the 12th fret........54.3/2.140
depth at 1st fret .............22.8mm/.875
depth at 10th fret ( the curvature of the heel is at the 12 fret so this is close enough to the other measurements.............25.2mm/.995

1966 Rickenbacker 360-12 OS

width at the nut............. 41.4mm/1.633
width at the 12 fret .........49.1mm/1.933
depth at 1st fret.............21.3mm/.834
depth at the 12 fret .........21.6mm/.850

interesting comparisions?!?!?!??!?

scott_s · Post by **scott_s** » Sat Dec 08, 2001 4:51 pm

Hee-hee! Yeah, I don't know why, but I love nitty-gritty like this... fretwire shapes, neck measurements, radii, pickup strengths, caps, pots, finishes, the works. I think I'm destined to become a luthier of some capacity someday...

Cheers!
- Scott

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Sat Dec 08, 2001 6:52 pm

for a common sizing of fret wire go to ;

http://www.dunlop.com/frets/

click on the referance chart

headbanger · Post by **headbanger** » Sun Dec 09, 2001 5:45 am

Yeah but didn't/don't Rick use .115 fretwire? an uncomon size?
Did all ricks coming out of the factory (basses & guitars) in say 1965 use the same size wire?

Scott, me too.

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Fri Dec 14, 2001 6:47 am

NO they did not .

There are several source for fretwire (Dunlop is a jobber) and the wire was in fact different sometimes to the point that it was proprietary(CF Martin owns it's own tooling and they have a bead(the top) that is the same for 4 different sizes of wire .This is how they 'adjusted ' the truss rod for years .At least until Chris Martin had the adjustable rod installed in the line in the late 1980's (GASP!!!! It just is not the same!)

I'll take the adjustable neck any day ...thank you very much.