Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've discovered that if your guitar nut is too tall, it can adversly affect the playability, especially on 12 string RICs. I've replaced and/or sanded the nuts on all my RIC 12s. I carefully sand the bottom of the nut until the low E string pairs just barely clear the 1st fret when the guitar is tuned to concert pitch (I'm assuming your neck is as flat as possible). Make sure you keep the nut level while sanding so the same amount of material is removed from one end to the other. Don't mess with the nut grooves...they're cut perfect from the factory.

RIC 12-string nuts from the Boutique are only $9.00 so get yourself a few in case you take too much off.

I think you'll find that chords on the first 4 frets or so will now be effortless...the strings won't feel so stiff, especially if you use the Thomastik flatwounds. This adjustment has made a world of difference for me.

Sounds like a medical issue?

Thanks for the reminder, Ron...

As they come from the factory, all Ricks have a setup that could be termed "baseline": They are toleranced to suit a cross-section of players, and also take into account the issues of shipping and storage. While it's pretty seldom that a Rick owner wants his action raised (especially on a 12-string), owners do often seek slightly lower action, and you've described in general terms what is the second step in most post-manufacture setup processes (after an initial adjustment of the truss rods to properly stress the neck).

And who said that Rick 12 strings were "one trick ponies".......

When I was in luthier Phil Petillo's shop a few weeks ago, His son David was putting a petrified mastodon nut on Steve Van Zandt's Rick 12. I have pictures of it.

a petrified mastodon nut

I've been sitting here wondering how long it would take for this thread to go.....um....biological.

JimK

jimk wrote:I've been sitting here wondering how long it would take for this thread to go.....um....biological.

JimK

Isn't this more archeological?

Could be anthropological, too. Depends on what kind of nuts we're talking about, innit?

JimK

jps wrote:

jimk wrote:I've been sitting here wondering how long it would take for this thread to go.....um....biological.

JimK

Isn't this more archeological?

Maybe more paleontological...I was waiting for it too, Jim. But back to earth for a moment, I was glad to see this thread, as I played my 620-12 for a few hours this afternoon , and I think the nut is slightly higher than the one on my 360-12, and was thinking next string change I might glue some sandpaper to a wood block and bring it down a tad.

drumbob wrote:When I was in luthier Phil Petillo's shop a few weeks ago, His son David was putting a petrified mastodon nut on Steve Van Zandt's Rick 12. I have pictures of it.

Did you happen to see my Bakelite in there? Phil is making the missing plates for me. Can't wait to see it.

This post has gotten Illogical, Captain Kirk. I don't know about you guys, but I'd be very leery of sanding down the nut. Most Ricky's do not need that much adjustment. As a matter of fact, I've only seen 1, and that one had a broken truss rod. I would look to a bridge adjustment first, then the TR before doing anything as drastic as sanding the nut. This isn't a Vox, y'know.

Janglyman

Great points from everyone, jokes aside anyways!

If you are feeling squirrely (since we're talking about nuts) go for it. Just remember to "be easy, dog" as it's much easier to sand than it is to unsand.

Janglyman wrote:Most Ricky's do not need that much adjustment. .