Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I have been remiss in not getting these photos of Paul's work on my 370-12. I bought this stock from Dave's Guitars in 2011 and sent it to Paul for the toasters, binding, and sparkle inlays which Paul included in the overall price. He did a wonderful job!

Toasters, Inlays and Chequered binding --- three of my favorite things !
Oh, and Jetglo Rocks ! !

Sweee-eeet!

Very pretty. I never understood why Ric removed checked binding from the round-top 360s. The crushed pearl inlays are a nice touch as well.

JakeK wrote:Very pretty. I never understood why Ric removed checked binding from the round-top 360s. The crushed pearl inlays are a nice touch as well.

Because then they would not be round-topped!

That third photo is one of my favorite bits of synchronicity. Or you can call it artsy-fartsy if you like. I don't mind.

I concur. That third image isn't your garden variety shot. Very nice and nice looking refit job.

Manta

I should have made clear that the photos were taken by Paul as well. Luthier and photographer nulli secondus!

Since Paul did his work on my 370-12 here, I had Dave's Guitars in Wisconsin replace the 6 string bridge with a 12 string bridge. The difference is truly amazing. Much more jangle and stays in tune. Anyone know why 12 strings bridges are not standard? By the way, Dave's Guitars is a great business. I highly recommend them!

Steve Gunderson wrote:Since Paul did his work on my 370-12 here, I had Dave's Guitars in Wisconsin replace the 6 string bridge with a 12 string bridge. The difference is truly amazing. Much more jangle and stays in tune. Anyone know why 12 strings bridges are not standard? By the way, Dave's Guitars is a great business. I highly recommend them!

I think you mean 6- or 12-saddle bridge (the strings depend on the number of notches cut in the saddles).

Personally I'm a fan of the 6-saddle bridges and have set them up successfully on many guitars. It's also easier to match the curvature of the fret board on vintage models with a six-saddle instead of a 12, which is meant for modern-era Ricks with a 10" fretboard radius (instead of vintage spec 7.25")

I'm sure it comes down to production cost increases for the 12-saddle bridge, but a lot of people want vintage-spec everything on a reissue model, even if they're not "technically better."

"Spec" might be 7.25 for those oldies, but for a long time the fretboards were freehand radiused on a stationary belt sander.

I've found a lot if '60s Rick guitars to be in the ~6" range, which coincidentally happens to be the distance from wrist to fingertips of an average adult male...

jingle_jangle wrote:"Spec" might be 7.25 for those oldies, but for a long time the fretboards were freehand radiused on a stationary belt sander.

I've found a lot if '60s Rick guitars to be in the ~6" range, which coincidentally happens to be the distance from wrist to fingertips of an average adult male...

Agreed, I say 7.25" as a general spec but these were done freehand (Dale and Mark both confirmed this), I've measured a number of vintage fretboards. Radius is all over but definitely as low as 6"

I've even found examples that were 7.25" at the nut and progressively more curved to a 6" radius at the heel! (Or vice-versa)