Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I was wondering if it is a common issue in aging Rics that the joint between them starts to be noticeable when you run your finger along the neck.

I mean, due to the finish shrinking/checking, climate changes over time, etc...

Or is it a sign of a bad construction?

I mean the seam between the two pieces of the neck. Right in the middle of the guitar.

Mine is noticeable along the neck heel. The neck itself is all smooth

Oh and another thing: do the bridge saddles come entirely plain from the factory (I mean on new guitars) or does it have dents (Grooved, slotted) for the strings, like Gibson bridge saddles?

I know the spare bridges do come ungrooved.

Bridge saddles, both guitar and bass, come plain, and have to be grooved to fit your instrument.

On new instruments the saddle have the grooves factory cut; if you were to buy replacements from the boutique then they are uncut.

Sérgio wrote:I was wondering if it is a common issue in aging Rics that the joint between them starts to be noticeable when you run your finger along the neck.

I mean, due to the finish shrinking/checking, climate changes over time, etc...

Or is it a sign of a bad construction?

That's not how mine feels. I can't feel the seam at all. That said I don't run my finger along it. I only ever feel it with my palm. If it's possible to feel with your finger, I'm not sure it matters.

Bridge saddles should definitely be cut from the factory and have been since the mid 2000s at least. If not the whole time? The nut I can't say for sure but mine does not need to be lowered.

How old is yours?

2015.

Mine's from 2010 and I used my wife's fingers to look for any flaws because my hands are getting too calloused. She reports "Nothing".

Sérgio wrote:I was wondering if it is a common issue in aging Rics that the joint between them starts to be noticeable when you run your finger along the neck.

I mean, due to the finish shrinking/checking, climate changes over time, etc...

Or is it a sign of a bad construction?

It's not good news, it could be separation of the joint
Check with a magnifier of the finish has cracked.

wim wrote:

Sérgio wrote:I was wondering if it is a common issue in aging Rics that the joint between them starts to be noticeable when you run your finger along the neck.

I mean, due to the finish shrinking/checking, climate changes over time, etc...

Or is it a sign of a bad construction?

It's not good news, it could be separation of the joint
Check with a magnifier of the finish has cracked.

I don’t think it’s a big deal. In this picture you can see the seam where it is noticeable. My guess is that the wood has been under climate changes over the years (this guitar is almost 10 years old and has travelled a lot) and the pieces reacted unevenly, so you can feel the finish crack but the junction is still tight and solid.





As you can see, it’s only the neck heel that has that issue, the neck itself is all smooth