Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Someone help me out...

I was playing my V64/12 the other night, and when I played with the pickup switch in the middle, I got this horrible fuzzy sound. I thought I had my fuzz box on, but I didn't. I selected individual pickups, and it sounded fine. Also, when it was in the middle, no matter how much neck pickup was dialed in via the blend knob, I got more neck than bridge pickup. Anyone know what the problem is, and if so, is it a problem my non-Ric experienced guitar tech can handle?

Sure. Have him replace the pickup switch or bend the leaves on the existing switch to improve contact. The Fender Jazzmaster/Duo Sonic switch is identical except for the switch tip, which can be exchanged with the old one.

Gonna try to take it to International Vintage on Friday. They have a little bit more experience with Rics, but I will still print out your instructions, Paul. I'll let everyone know how it turns out.

WOW! Calm down, everyone, I know it's been a while, and you've all gone mad with anticipation, but I'll tell you what happened.

Whatever D-Ox is, the tech at IVG sprayed it in the output jacks, and cleaned the problem.

I was turning blue. Thanks for the followup, Jake!

JakeK wrote:...Whatever D-Ox is, the tech at IVG sprayed it in the output jacks, and cleaned the problem.

I am also into vintage hi-fi. De-Oxit is a godsend.

jingle_jangle wrote:I was turning blue. Thanks for the followup, Jake!

Blue? I saw purple with bad lighting.

Actually, Paul, I want to talk with you about making my local tech somewhat-Ric savvy. I need to teach him that my Ric is not a toy and modern Fender isn't always necessarily better. Whatever format you want will work with me, PM or email.

Just get him to join RRF.

Alternatively, get him a copy of "Rickenbackers for Dummies", available wherever brain and patience upgrades are sold.

jingle_jangle wrote:Just get him to join RRF.

Alternatively, get him a copy of "Rickenbackers for Dummies", available wherever brain and patience upgrades are sold.

Why are so many techs intimidated by Rickenbackers and also the idea of dual truss rods. It's SO intuitive....

They just don't have the patience of Paul W, Larry Davis, the guys at Pick of the Ricks and other people who know what the pluck they're doing with Rics.

I don't want to bash my tech, because he's done absolutely PURE GENIUS with my '62 AVRI Strat. Perfectly installed a five-way switch, added perfect intonation and made the neck as flat as it could get. He's experienced with Fenders and other bolt-on neck types, no doubt about it. Gibson/Epiphone, he's also good with.

He's mostly into modern guitars/effects, and does not like the three-saddle bridge of a Telecaster, "But," I told him, "a three-saddle bridge is the only way you get the tone of 'Green Onions' or 'Get Rhythm' easily." He also does not use an amplifier and plays an amp-modeler direct into the PA.

If I live in San Fransisco, I'd have Paul W do all my Ric/Gretsch work.

He builds custom acoustics, and musicians in Louisiana who can afford them love them. His "company" is better than Gibson's acoustics.

This is his website:
http://www.abitaguitar.com/index.htm

His acoustics remind me a little of Martin, Guild and Taylor.

JakeK wrote: what the pluck

I like it Jake! gotta use that more.....

The fuzzy sound returned, and there was a scratchy noise as I moved the switch, so I decided to look under the pickguard and find out what was going on. It turned out there was a lot of dust, so I took a napkin, cleaned it and everything worked out fine. Everytime it happens again in future, I know I got to get my napkin out.

johnallg wrote:

jingle_jangle wrote:Just get him to join RRF.

Alternatively, get him a copy of "Rickenbackers for Dummies", available wherever brain and patience upgrades are sold.

Why are so many techs intimidated by Rickenbackers and also the idea of dual truss rods. It's SO intuitive....

The problem is simply that there has never been enough printed information on Rickenbacker adjustments and wiring, so the average tech at a music store has probably no experience working on them. Every repair book I have seen has the endless Fender and Gibson type wiring and adjustment information, but I have yet to see anything about Rickenbackers. The 5th knob and/or ROS wiring are unlike any of the other instruments a tech is likely to see on any regular basis, so that can be a little intimidating. Not knowing that the old ones require you to lift the neck to adjust the truss rods, plus the fact that the necks are to be set straight and not with a slight bow like almost everyboby else, is enough to put someone off who doesn't want to "experiment" with a customers expensive guitar.

Fact of the matter is, not many folks are comfortable adjusting Ricks when due to the differences in how they work and are set up. Shops that stock them have always had access to the owners manuals, so any store tech worth their salt would read up on how to do it just to make the guitar play as well as it can for sale, and to offer service.

Yes, Rickenbackers are easy to setup and maintain, but if you don't know how to do it, it can be far more intimidating than intuitive. Thank goodness for the great community of knowledge and experience we have here, who not only answer, but help walk those through all that is Rickenbacker.

Joeys Bass notes was an outstanding website I found when I got my 4003AFG for step by step setup and wiring instruction

jingle_jangle wrote:I was turning blue. Thanks for the followup, Jake!

Blueboy Blue or Azureglo?