Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

After learning to play guitar in 1984, at the age of 17, on my brothers 1979 Jetglo 320, I saved up my money to buy my first guitar.

Finally, in 1987, I saved up enough money to order it, a Fireglo 360/12V64.

Not having played a 12 string before, I thought the difficulty in playing it was my fault. After a few years of learning, joining a band and playing out regularly, I took it to a local luthier who told me that the neck was set on the guitar wrong. He set up the guitar as best he could, but told me to contact RIC.

It was then that I learned that RIC now gave 5 year warranties. My limited warranty was only ONE YEAR.

I sent my guitar back to RIC and the tech there ADMITTED that the neck was set on wrong but that it would be a shame to ruin such a pretty and unusual finish. (You see, the finish is SO dark that many people think it is Autumnglo!) That, and a neck reset would not be covered under any warranty. His solution was to take the bridge plate and grind it down to 1/4 its original thickness and the bridge is still all the way down!

I have the invoice from 4-5-1990 which says: "Modified bridge base plate for better playing action and intonation."

After 2 years of sending letters to RIC to get them to cover a neck reset, I received a final rejection letter January 21, 1992 from a Thomas Carr which in part states: "There have been a few changes in the manufacturing process of the guitars currently produced. The difference on how the guitars are currently manufactured compared to 4-5 years ago is the basis for our current 5-year warranty."

Did modifying the bridgeplate help? If it did, then I should think that's acceptable. For me, the bottom line is playability, not history. It may affect your resale, but I think RIC sells guitars to be played, not resold.

The guitar is JUST playable as the action is still pretty bad.

If I wanted a guitar simply for playing, I would have purchased a beat used 330/12 with hi-gains for half the price.

Part of the reason for my buying the guitar and part of the way RIC marketed the guitar was for the "vintage re-issue collectibility" of it. They failed.

Joseph,

I had a similar experience with RIC. They mounted the bridge plate in the wrong place (both off-center and too close to the nut) and refused to admit it when I sent the guitar in for warranty work. Although the intonation was audibly VERY sharp and the saddles were as far back as they could go, RIC refused to admit there was a problem. Fortunately, my dealer decided to absorb the costs and fix RIC's mistake so my 620/12 now plays beautifully. However, the unsavory exchanges I had with RIC as a result of this incident have really soured me on Rickenbacker. I can certainly empathize with your plight; I, personally, will not buy any more Rickenbacker products and I don't blame you for feeling the same way.

Sorry to hear about your less-than-stellar experience.

Juston

Joseph: It would seem that more work is required in setting up this instrument. The 360/12V64 is a fine instrument there are luthiers out there who can certainly set this right. I am wondering what type of support, financial or otherwise, that you received from your dealer in this matter. Did you ask your dealer to assist your financially? It is not too late to set up this instrument, and it should be done regardless of the finish. Did you get an estimate with respect to the cost of having this completed?

Justin: I understand that your instrument has modified with a satisfactory result. How does it play at the present time?

Peter,

After moving the bridge plate and installing a 12-saddle bridge, I was finally able to intonate that 620/12 properly. It plays quite beautifully now and I get a big thrill out of owning it. I'm still having trouble getting the neck nice and straight (I've tightened the truss rod probably 3 turns at this point), but that's a minor problem; the action is satisfactory on the whole