Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I re-strung my 360-12 yesterday and made the following observations:

Elapsed time: 90 minutes (almost a record)
Number of strings in wrong slot: 1
Number of strings that fell out of that stinkin' R: 3
Number of Heineken consumed: none
Number of swear words: Lost count at 100
I have mixed feelings about the set of D'Addario's I put on. They sound OK. Can anybody comment on them?

Other observations:
Wife wants to know why you have to change 11 strings when you only broke 1
Seriously:
Do the octave tuners "float" in the groove/slot?
Is the TR cover always bigger than the center piece of wood that it covers?
Do the strings hit the TR cover over the nut?
Is it always easier to install the octave strings first?
Was it only Gene Autry who said "Thank God for 12 saddles?"
Janglyman

A bit of masking tape on the tailpiece holding it to the bracket, along with a bit of soft cloth as a cushion under the bracket, simplifies matters somewhat. I think string up the highest "E" and the lowest "E", to hold the tailpiece suspended in place. It's then easy to insert one string at a time, working from outside to center on each side of the headstock. A modified string winder is a huge help, too.

The TRC is often slightly larger than the area it covers on a 12, strings do contact the TRC edges, but they're much harder than the TRC so there's no wear issue. The octave tuners do "float" in the sense that they are not a tight fit into their post holes on the inner edges.

Russell,this is the best way viewtopic.php?f=1&t=386749&hilit=the+definative+way you know not to do it this way
seriously tho the more you do it the better you become. Now aint that the truth
i will answer 2 of the questions

Is the TR cover always bigger than the center piece of wood that it covers? no normally should be like this http://www.rickresource.com/register/us ... llsize.jpg
Do the strings hit the TR cover over the nut? Over the nut no but some strings do slightly touch the edge of the TRC

Paul and Scott,

Thanks for the help. At least I know the strings are on right. I used a piece of foam rubber under the R, but I like that masking tape idea for the next time.

Speaking of the next time, I used the D'Addario 10's 12 string set. These have been sitting around a long time and didn't look the best. Does anybody have any comments on the D'Addario's or a string preference other than the TI's and Pyramids?

Janglyman

P.S. Which part of Chicago are you in Scott? I'm north suburbs and have a gig on 4/18 if you're interested.

Sorry,

I thought you were local.

Russ

Russell,id love to come to your gig but maybe another time?

I feel your pain. In a moment of insanity, I decided to re-string my 360/12 and 620/12....at the same time! Start time: 7:30 PM. End time:11:25 PM. Observations: I'll NEVER do that again Was going to use the Scotty method, but I did have to get to work the next day. BTW - I tried the Curt Mangan 12 string set from Pick of the Ricks, the pure nickel set. I LOVE 'em.

Janglyman wrote:Number of Heineken consumed: none

I believe I have located your problem.

Clint wrote:

Janglyman wrote:Number of Heineken consumed: none

I believe I have located your problem.

Well done Clint that's where the problem starts furthermore adding a wife and two kids in the mix is cataclysmic

Janglyman wrote: Other observations:
Wife wants to know why you have to change 11 strings when you only broke 1

Good question... why did you? Just taking advantage of the opportunity? Were they shot out and begging for a change? If your strings are in good shape and you break one, just have a small inventory of single strings ready for such a task, usually .010's.

Janglyman wrote: Seriously:
Do the octave tuners "float" in the groove/slot?

Pretty much, yeah. No ferrules.

Janglyman wrote: Is the TR cover always bigger than the center piece of wood that it covers?

Often, yes. The posted pics are ideal examples.

Janglyman wrote: Do the strings hit the TR cover over the nut?

Yes, the edges, as PW mentioned.

Janglyman wrote: Is it always easier to install the octave strings first?

I do a specific order... if the low E is 1 and the high E is 12, go like this:
12 off
12 on
10 off
11 off
11 on
10 on
8 off
9 off
9 on
8 on
7 off
7 on
and then the same thing for the bass side, going from 6 to 1. This will allow you to string the slotted tuners without dipping and diving and bobbing and weaving over and under the regular strings above which get in the way.

Janglyman wrote: Was it only Gene Autry who said "Thank God for 12 saddles?"
Janglyman

Um, you're on your own there.

jingle_jangle wrote:strings do contact the TRC edges, but they're much harder than the TRC so there's no wear issue.

Yeah, for the strings!!! That poor TRC though. I've chewed through a few in my days.

And remember, an empty string envelope under the R tailpiece is your friend; it will keep you from dinging that area easily.

In the time it used to take me to restring my 360/12, I was able assemble a Epiphone g1275 double neck, (bolt on necks) String up both necks and set it up!

The 360 still sounded better....

Steve Howe once described restringing a Rickenbacker 12 as "Nightmareish"

Eden.

Restringing a 6-string slot-head can be challenging enough, let alone doing the whole 12 thing. I find myself contributing to the swear jar and pining for some fine ale within minutes seconds. I just thank my lucky stars my 12 has a trapeze rather than an R.

I had read the horror stories about restringing twelves, so was dreading it.
However, I found that by bringing my 360/12 to work (one of the perks of working in a school music department) I could restring it and not mind the fact that it may have taken ages. There were occaisional interruptions when I had to do some proper work, and before I knew it, the morning had flown by!
Recommended!

I always use a capo on my 6 strings and put a cloth under the tailpiece, then start with A and B for some reason (not trying to be clever). I have yet to have a go at one of my 12 strings.....gulp. I am not very experienced yet.


I use D'Addarios 10 - 46 on all my 6 strings, but have the Rickenbacker strings on my 12s. I really like the Rick strings on the 12, they sound fantastic. Funny, Paul A and I were just talking about strings as we polished our guitars over Skype. I might try some Rickenbacker strings on my 6 strings to see if there is a huge difference.......

I only restring mine one at a time. I do all twelve, but just replace the one I took off. This guarantees that the strings are in the right saddle and nut slot. I recently restrung my Danelectro 12, and got all goobered up since I was used to the Rick string order. Invented some new words that day.

For those of you that have no problem(and patience) removing all at once and resetting everything up, more power to you