Truss rod issues on Rick 360/12?

Setup, repair and restoration of Rickenbacker Instruments

Moderator: jingle_jangle

Post Reply
User avatar
stsang
Member
Posts: 381
Joined: Wed May 04, 2011 12:47 pm
Contact:

Truss rod issues on Rick 360/12?

Post by stsang »

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping someone can give advice on whether I have truss rod issues on my Rick 360/12. Compared to other truss rod images I've seen on this forum and elsewhere, mine seem to have some differences:

1) The rod protrudes quite a bit from the nut, so much that the truss rod adjustment tool may not work.
2) The truss rod lengths are slightly different. The left truss rod seems to protrude a little more.

Here are two photos - one of the entire headstock, and one close-up.
Entire Headstock.jpg
Close Up.jpg
The action of the guitar is fine, so fortunately, I don't need to make any further adjustments. I *hope* nothing is out of the ordinary here, but any comments or advice are most appreciated.

Thanks!
-Simon
2010 360/12c63 FG
2002 360/12 MG (mod with 7.4K scatterwound toasters, push/pull switch for 0.0047uF bridge cap)
Clint
Intermediate Member
Posts: 727
Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2008 2:03 pm

Re: Truss rod issues on Rick 360/12?

Post by Clint »

Check the other end of the neck. Can you still see the acorn nuts at the end of the truss rod channel? If yes, you're probably good. If no, the wood has probably compressed. There are several solutions to this problem, so I'll let someone more qualified run down your options.
Jangle, Chime & Twang.
User avatar
stsang
Member
Posts: 381
Joined: Wed May 04, 2011 12:47 pm
Contact:

Re: Truss rod issues on Rick 360/12?

Post by stsang »

Clint wrote:Check the other end of the neck. Can you still see the acorn nuts at the end of the truss rod channel? If yes, you're probably good. If no, the wood has probably compressed. There are several solutions to this problem, so I'll let someone more qualified run down your options.
I recall that you can still see the acorn nuts. They are pretty far in, but they are still visible when you remove the neck PU and look up toward the headstock. From what I recall, they are not so far up the fingerboard as to clear the top of the guitar body. Hopefully this means all is good. Thank for checking in and providing advice!
2010 360/12c63 FG
2002 360/12 MG (mod with 7.4K scatterwound toasters, push/pull switch for 0.0047uF bridge cap)
User avatar
jingle_jangle
RRF Moderator
Posts: 22679
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 6:00 am
Contact:

Re: Truss rod issues on Rick 360/12?

Post by jingle_jangle »

A RIC truss rod tool will work--it's tubular, man.

The appearance is not unusual for an older Rick 12, but do check for truss rod recession into the neck...
User avatar
stsang
Member
Posts: 381
Joined: Wed May 04, 2011 12:47 pm
Contact:

Re: Truss rod issues on Rick 360/12?

Post by stsang »

jingle_jangle wrote:A RIC truss rod tool will work--it's tubular, man.

The appearance is not unusual for an older Rick 12, but do check for truss rod recession into the neck...
My RIC truss rod tool is on order... :wink: I checked the position of the acorns and they are around half an inch +/- a quarter inch into the fingerboard (around 1 or 2 frets). Please see photo below:
Truss Rod Acorns.JPG
The left one is a little further in which matches what I saw up at the headstock yesterday. Otherwise, does this look OK?

Thanks again for the advice. This is such a great forum with so many experts!
2010 360/12c63 FG
2002 360/12 MG (mod with 7.4K scatterwound toasters, push/pull switch for 0.0047uF bridge cap)
User avatar
johnallg
Rick-a-holic
Posts: 17688
Joined: Wed Apr 05, 2006 12:13 pm

Re: Truss rod issues on Rick 360/12?

Post by johnallg »

stsang wrote:
jingle_jangle wrote:A RIC truss rod tool will work--it's tubular, man.

The appearance is not unusual for an older Rick 12, but do check for truss rod recession into the neck...
My RIC truss rod tool is on order... :wink: I checked the position of the acorns and they are around half an inch +/- a quarter inch into the fingerboard (around 1 or 2 frets). Please see photo below:
Truss Rod Acorns.JPG
The left one is a little further in which matches what I saw up at the headstock yesterday. Otherwise, does this look OK?

Thanks again for the advice. This is such a great forum with so many experts!
Simon, search the forum for super glue and acorn nut. A fix has been posted a few times.
User avatar
stsang
Member
Posts: 381
Joined: Wed May 04, 2011 12:47 pm
Contact:

Re: Truss rod issues on Rick 360/12?

Post by stsang »

johnallg wrote:Simon, search the forum for super glue and acorn nut. A fix has been posted a few times.
Good call. I found the following discussion to be helpful:
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=388478&hilit=acorn+nut
Thanks again for the advice!
2010 360/12c63 FG
2002 360/12 MG (mod with 7.4K scatterwound toasters, push/pull switch for 0.0047uF bridge cap)
Post Reply

Return to “"Vibrola" Rickenbacker Technical Forum: By Paul Wilczynski”