Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi guys.
I am having some issues with my 366/12 tuning.

I purchased a 12 saddle bridge (don't worry, I kept the original one in the case) in order to ease the tuning, however - it doesn't help...

The problem is more serious with the "thicker" strings, the low "E" string is ~30 cents too high when comparing the open note to the 12th fret E.
The saddle goes ALL THE WAY BACK. In order to take it more back (and maybe fix this) I'll need to take out the entire bridge and remove the spring to allow the saddle to go back more.

The octave E string is fine and the saddle is pretty much in the center towards the back (it has some more room to go back if I need, but there is no need for that).

What could cause such a problem? how can I fix this? this is really annoying...

The modern bridge plates can be shifted backwards slightly to help with this:
Maybe you could try one of these, they're available at the Ric Boutique.

Thanks, I have such a plate that came with the new bridge.

My question is - how can this happen? I remember that JH said once that the 12 saddle bridge is not needed as the required length for the octave string is the same (or something like that)
How come my octave E is "shorter" than my low E, yet - the low E is higher on the 12th fret?

Thanks again.

Gil: Remove the spring. It is the most straightforward fix.

Excessive humidity is also a variable this time of year. Also, the slots can be lenghtened in the bridge plate as well.

But before you go the route of truss rod adjustment, nut changes, slot lenthening and the like do yourself a favour and remove the spring.

admin wrote:Excessive humidity is also a variable this time of year.

In Israel?

Jeff: Well I was considering the few miles of coastline that Israel has along the Mediterranean Sea.

If it's anything like when I lived in L.A., me being only a couple miles from the Pacific, Gil has nothing to sweat about!

Actually, with 70% humidity, it is pretty humid, no?

Gil: I would say that 70% is certainly humid enough to make a difference.

gibsonlp wrote:Actually, with 70% humidity, it is pretty humid, no?

That sounds more like midwest USA than Tel Aviv!

Tel Aviv is now at 69%...
I live less than a mile from the shore, and b.t.w - if you'd look at the map you'll see that a large portion of Israel is near the edge of the mediterranean sea, as well as some touching the red sea and the dead sea...

Gil: I am betting that your intonation will improve once the spring is out of the way.

Peter: sorry, forgot to answer...
I am sure too, I need to take out the entire bridge, I hate doing that as it means loosening the tension off the neck...
It will have to wait until the next strings replacement (probably within a few months, I don't play the 12 as much as I would like to...)

peter is right. take the spring out until you have to change the strings, than you can move the bridge that 1/8 back and put the spring back.