Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

The A saddle seems to keep moving downward from vibration. At first I thought this was odd to have uneven saddle adjustments from the factory but after levelling the saddle again it seems the worm screw (maybe) turns from vibration. Not sure how to fix this problem. Very frustrating.

EDIT: "Seems the D saddle has shifted a little lower on one side, too.

How is your intonation?

WillyWonka wrote:How is your intonation?

E <20 cents sharp
A >10 cents sharp
D >10 cents sharp
G >10 cents sharp

If fact, this is the Rick with the highest action I have ever owned. There isn't a whole lot of room for the saddles to be lowered and the foam mute won't even reach the strings.

Malchik wrote:

WillyWonka wrote:How is your intonation?

E <20 cents sharp
A >10 cents sharp
D >10 cents sharp
G >10 cents sharp

If fact, this is the Rick with the highest action I have ever owned. There isn't a whole lot of room for the saddles to be lowered and the foam mute won't even reach the strings.

So moving saddles are the least of your problems.

WillyWonka wrote:

Malchik wrote:

WillyWonka wrote:How is your intonation?

E <20 cents sharp
A >10 cents sharp
D >10 cents sharp
G >10 cents sharp

If fact, this is the Rick with the highest action I have ever owned. There isn't a whole lot of room for the saddles to be lowered and the foam mute won't even reach the strings.

So moving saddles are the least of your problems.

Other than needing a setup have you got any other opinions? If there is a suspected issue I have until the fifteenth to return it. The worm screws feel a little loose in the saddles, too. I've owned older Ricks in the past and haven't had this much of an issue our of the box.

EDIT: After re-adjusting the saddles the A saddle once again slipped and is now leaning against the E saddle, making a small rattle. I don't think this new bridge is designed for aggressive picking.

Malchik wrote:...worm screw...

jps wrote:

Malchik wrote:...worm screw...

I just mean the adjustment hex screw.

Get it adjusted properly first, then simply apply to the threads, problem solved.

https://www.grainger.com/category/adhes ... eadlockers

Good luck,
Dirk

Malchik wrote:
Other than needing a setup have you got any other opinions? If there is a suspected issue I have until the fifteenth to return it. The worm screws feel a little loose in the saddles, too. I've owned older Ricks in the past and haven't had this much of an issue our of the box.

EDIT: After re-adjusting the saddles the A saddle once again slipped and is now leaning against the E saddle, making a small rattle. I don't think this new bridge is designed for aggressive picking.

I'm in my car careening down a hill with no brakes.... but my radio doesn't work.... can you help me fix my radio?

It obviously needs to be set up properly, I would imagine saddles moving is a byproduct of an improper setup.

I would do that before gluing saddle screws.

I'll give both pieces of advice a shot. I'm going to get the guitar to the tech for a setup. I'm a little disappointed though a brand new guitar needs some adhesive assistance.

Malchik wrote:I'll give both pieces of advice a shot. I'm going to get the guitar to the tech for a setup. I'm a little disappointed though a brand new guitar needs some adhesive assistance.

It would be somewhat odd if the bass has been around for 20 some years, and wasn't able to be adjusted.

swing by the house and we'll have it sorted in a few minutes

WillyWonka wrote:swing by the house and we'll have it sorted in a few minutes

You better not have that hat on!

Dirk wrote:Get it adjusted properly first, then simply apply to the threads, problem solved.

https://www.grainger.com/category/adhes ... eadlockers

Good luck,
Dirk

You probably should use the low type since you might want to actually move them again without having them too stuck. (My experience, IIRC, was in using Permatex thread sealant; the low type held the screw in place but I was able to remove/loosen it when needed. I think that this may have been on an external stirrer that we were using at work on a 10-L tank, the screw (which adjusted the speed, as I remember) would back out gradually from the vibration when the stirrer was running).

Are these saddles machined or casted? Possible the threads in the saddles are not as tightly married to the adjustment screws as desired.