Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi All

finally got my first Rick, got a 330, 1988 model.
Love the guitar and the tone is perfect.
Have a few issues with it and was hoping for some advice.
I've always used epiphones, and im a lead guitarist.
Firstly im not to technical, in other words other than re-stringing it and fixing minor problems, i wouldnt be able to pull it apart and put it back together.
My main issue is, i find that when i do leads, i find the tension so hard it that it basically rips my fingers apart when i bend the strings, its so difficult, i know the neck is much thinner than say a Sheridan or Casino, and im getting used to it, but im struggling an ive been playing guitar for more than 18 years.
People keep telling me that they arent the right guitars for the stuff i play, but i find that hard to believe, im in a garage band, so i use fuzz and i get the perfect sounds with it, so im happy in that sense.
is there something i can do in a set up that will make the strings easier to bend/play leads on?
I use ernie balls 11-48, ive thought about going down a gauge but i really would prefer not to.
Is there any advice anyone could give me?
thanks
Harry

I'm having the same problem with .010s and I'm thinking of going to .009s. For what it's worth.

Really? Have you tired a different set up?
I really wouldn't want to go down to 9's if possible.
There must be a solution!?!

It's a different beast, for sure!

How is your action?

kiramdear wrote:How is your action?

I wouldn't go there..............

Perhaps the radius of the fingerboard doesn't work for you with the bends?

I've used .011s and got on okay. I've always found .009s to be to thin and floppy for my playing style. Currently strung with D'Addario .010s and the next string change will be Curt Mangan .010s. My 1997 goes through phases

IMO it's not that the tension is all that bad, just that it's noticeably higher compared to other guitars.

My Strat is much easier to bend on than my 330, and it's got a longer scale length -- which should mean more tension, right?

thanks for your replies.

so is there nothing i can do about it?
the action is quite good, not too high.
i have no problems on any other guitars, so thats why i was thinking it might be a set up thing, its my first rick, and i dont really know anyone else who has one, so its not like i can compare.
I dont know much about adjusting the neck, but can that make a difference?

I've just been speaking to some workshops here in London and they have suggested I get it re fretted, and that would help with the lead work.
Had anyone else done this before or is it a stupid idea?
Wouldn't want to get it done if it won't make any difference.
Any help would be appreciated

Harry

11-48 is what i use on my Epiphone Riviera.
But for a 330, if i were you, i would just try a 10-46 set if you have a 11-48 on it.
I must admit that my 330 (with D'addario round wound 10-46) is a bit harder to bend than my other guitars, i really don't know why, but i've got used to it after some time.
For my taste 9-42 would be too thin on any guitar.

Before you do anything else, try a set of .010-.046 as others in this thread have suggested. That will probably be enough to solve your problem right there.

Lowering the action will also give less tension, and here's why: The lower the bridge, the less break angle the string has over the saddle. And the less break angle the string has, the easier it is for the string to slide back and forth over the saddle, easing tension. Make sure the strings aren't binding in the nut or at the saddles. Of course, it depends on your style, but many Rics can have surprisingly low action without buzzing.

Clint wrote: Of course, it depends on your style, but many Rics can have surprisingly low action without buzzing.

Yep, and that's only one reason I like 'em. I've always used tens on my full scale ricks.

I've just ordered a pack of 0.10's, so fingers crossed it helps.

thanks for all the advice.

Harry