Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi again! My 360V64 has vintage tuners and a few of them are really sloppy - half a turn or so before they engage. And when you are tuning down, you have to pull the strings up to de-tune. I suspect that the posts are binding.

Is there anything that can be done short of replacing them?

I'm taking the guitar to my luthier tomorrow but I doubt he'll have any suggestions other than replacement.

I've toyed with the idea of taking the backs off and having a look, but that worries me a bit....

Mate, 2 of the tuners on my V64 have the same problem. I've just lived with it so far.

I thought about getting replacements but then I was concerned that some of them might be sloppy too!

Howard - It's also possible that your strings are hanging up in the nut slots too. Especially since you say you have to pull the strings up to de-tune.

I found the same thing happens on my 360/12v64. I de-tuned to move the strings to the side so that I could take off the TRC to adjust the trussrods and some of those strings were *hard* to remove from the nut slots. Hence, the slots have to be widened a bit.

I will say that some of my vintage tuners feel a bit sloppy, but they do stay in tune without constant adjustments. That's when tuning UP though.

When I tune, I'll tune it down a lot first (often have to pull on the strings like you describe), then I'll tune up to pitch. So I know that the strings are binding in the nut. Have your luthier check that first - it'd be better than replacing tuners.

Welcome to the world of vintage replicas.

Let's not order a 1965 VW bug replica and expect it to drive like a 2006 Turbo bug!

It is possible that these are the older Schaller replicas that are nowhere near as tight as the current Gotoh-made replicas (which are far better than the original Klusons).

John Hall wrote: "..Let's not order a 1965 VW bug replica and expect it to drive like a 2006 Turbo bug!..."

Geez I wish they'd make a replica, but let's go with a '67, that was a good year. I'd bet it cost double the price of a new '06 Turbo Beetle.

I'll take mine in Bahama Blue.

Crikey, John! I was only asking............ I can live with it!

I agree with your method of tuning, Steve. Tuning up to pitch ensures that the tuner gears are fully engaged and there is less chance of slippage.

I'd heard that the vintage tuners could be a bit flakey, but didn't know what to expect. It's a 1998 build and the only info on the back of the housings is 'RIC DELUXE'.

I'll ask the luthier to check the nut. Thanks for the response guys!!

I wasn't reaming you Howard, just pointing out that sometimes people ordering vintage reissues products are expecting modern guitar performance.

It sounds like you have some of the Schaller keys.

And just in case someone was going to order a new 2006 VW Beetle Turbo, you can't. They've replaced that engine with a normally aspirated 5 cylinder.

Man I just can't catch a break!

The new 2006 Beetle has it much worse. It can't catch its breath!

No problems at all, John. My response was intended to be somewhat tongue in cheek. I'm not really concerned about it - the guitar stays in tune beautifully, so hopefully I won't have to use them much anyway!

As I recall the tuners in '65 Bugs were pretty loose too! Good old-fashioned string controlled tuners, eh? Did I hear somebody say "Superhetrodyne"?

Speaking of '65 Bugs, check this one out: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4579074251&sspagename=ADME%3AL%3ALCA%3AUS%3A11

That bug is too cool!

Used to see it when I lived in So Cal.

Although others may have seen my own Bug, those of you who haven't, will hopefully enjoy these shots. Since Rickenbackers feature beautiful wood, I think this type of car is appropriate for a Rickenfamily:

WHOA! (Jaw hits the floor)

Wait till I show my KIDS!

You DID design Hot Wheels for a while, right, Paul?

I bet you turn a lot of heads when you're behind the wheel of that one! (But then again, you are in California after all--we just don't see cars like that in snow country)....