putting 6105's on a Rickenbacker 350v63

[MyBBruce]

Is this a bad idea..I have my older 350v63 . after buying a new one I can tell the other needs Fret work. 2 separate Luthiers in town suggested 6105's or at least something taller than the stock frets. They said I'd be happier ..Plus the guitar would be easier for playing and bending notes. Has anyone done this to their Rick? I guess it doesn't matter what model you have.

Yes I realize from a Vintage correct standpoint this is wrong.. If not 6105's what should I use..Does anyone have a fret that is in-between the tiny Rics-and a tall 6105..I have to worry about the tang size as well correct. I haven't committed to anything but would really like to know. Especially other experiences.

Paul what do you think..



Happy New Year all

[MyBBruce]

I take it by the lack of response this is a no no. I asked the question because my 620(new) definately has a slightly larger fret than my 350's do. Why is that

[sloop_john_b]

For me, Rick frets are too low. This coupled with the varnish on the fretboard doesn't make bending the most pleasurable experience. I find that this coupled with the bridge design kills the sustain on bends. My next keeper Rick is absolutely going to get big frets. My last one had a tune-o-matic bridge with a FAT aluminum baseplate and it rocked. Much more sustain and the guitar's overall tone improved dramatically.

[grazioso]

i had few 12 string guitars that needed refret refreted with warmoth SS6230 it is night and day. it is still very small fretwire compare to medium jumbo but it is tall enough for me.

[MyBBruce]

I am hoping Paul can tell me what to use that may be a tad higher ..Plus the same tang ..Both these Luthiers said if I can't find the same tang there's no going back. I did read an older thread in the Rickenbacker Forum where Paul stated never to use anything but what was on it to begin with. I wonder why my 620 seems like taller wire??

Personally I think the vintage wire sucks it's hard to bend the strings your fingers slip off. But than all of a sudden you adjust and pretty soon those tiny little frets aren't that bad. Personally I think over the years they have made me a way better player than I would have been.

Playing something with 6150 or 6105 is faster, Than again is it really. I do try to switch guitars around a lot while playing different music. You get to use to tall frets the small ones feel weird. But it works both ways.

I seem to be able to bend just fine on Rickenbacker necks. . Although to be fair I am using Ric strings and not some of the heavier gauge flatwounds the rest of you use. I am one that believes there's a reason professionals and amatuers alike gravitated to roundwound strings as time went on. I can see how those flatwound 11's or 12's that some of you use on a full size neck could be a bear to bend. Although you do something enough you adapt.

Maybe I should just stick with the vintage Ric wire..Where do I get it?

As far as Rics neck finish I find just the opposite of sticky. I'd say slippery. Sometimes I have to wash my hands to get a good grip .

[jingle_jangle]

Give Stew-Mac#155 a try. It's the best combination of vintage looks with good height for those who do a lot of bending. In the opinions of many Rickenbacker players, jumbo or wide frets simply look wrong, and will compromise the value of your Rick if you should decide to sell it.

Your two Ricks feel different due to differences in varnish thickness.

[MyBBruce]

Your two Ricks feel different due to differences in varnish thickness.

The 350 has more varish making the frets seem smaller??

[jingle_jangle]

Well, that's the theoretical conclusion. The practical application and tactile result is below:

Note in any chart of fretwire sizes the small increments in dimensions the result in huge differences in playing "feel". The general range is plus or minus .010" (.25mm), with the center point being .095" in width and .045" in height.

A typical thickness of conversion varnish clearcoat is .007", but it does tend to collect at the bottom of each fret as it flows off the fret peak upon application. Furthermore, the fret is leveled and polished in final finishing, which removes whatever's left from the fret peak but leaves the bottom untouched. All this has the effect of reducing the height of the fret. A tiny reduction in height is all that's necessary to cause a perception of a different "feel" to occur.

Additionally, the spray patterns of the guitar body and neck overlap at one area--the neck heel on the back of the instrument and the area between roughly the 15th fret and the end of the fretboard on the front. This will often double the varnish thickness in those areas, further reducing the effective fret height in the higher frets.

This effect is more prominent on Rickenbacker instruments due to the varnished fretboard. Experienced and longtime Rick players tend to unconsciously factor the effect into the playing experience. Newcomers used to unfinished or thinly lacquered boards (as on Fender maple fretboards), will notice the difference in feel immediately.

[MyBBruce]

Paul would opting for the slightly larger fret ruin the guitar? I've had my original 350 for about 5 years or so. While I've gotten used to the Frets being smaller. This latest 350 seems like the frets are really small. Even though the older guitar clearly needs new frets. They still seem taller than the new guitar. The 620 on the other hand has the feel of being taller. It's easier to bend notes on this guitar.

I here what your saying about the varnish flowing to the frets. This latest Ric must have gotten an extra thick coat..Or a degree there of.

I assume you can't just let anyone do a regret on a Ric. Does the board need to be re varnished afterward?

I had a chance to play a Ric 350V63 from a few years ago that someone had put 6105's on. Those frets even though taller seemed to take up width between the frets. Maybe I am wrong about that. Maybe it's just what I perceived.

My Gretsch Duo jet has a Vintage fret setup. But isn't bad to play. Of course the board is 12" radius the nit is wider and the neck isn't varnished.