Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi Mark,
I'd like to attempt your 12-string nut modification. What is the measurement of the space between the string pairs?
Thanks, Rob

There is one other aspect that I am unsure about in this mod. The original nut appears to have finish over it. How do I get it off without chipping the surrounding finish.
Thanks for your help.

You need a set of Dial Calipers ,a razor blade /utility knife blade ,great lighting ,a calculator an the nut blank.

I use over sized stock ,that way I can cut it to fit .None of this ...hey it is stock and it doesn't go to the edge thing!

I but different types of material from lots of sources and cut it to suit .You can get blanks from several 'Luthier Supply ' houses.

the math is standard Jr.high stuff ...the formula is this .

Set the outside strings as close to the edge of the fret (where it starts to round over) as you dare .On a 12 string you can do this as you are not playing it like a six string ...no vibrato!

Set your out side strings and using a sharp pencil,score a line on either side of those strings.
Take the strings off the nut ,using your knife blade (don't use a Kitchen/steak or hunting knife ....they do NOT work)score a line in the nut material.
Using your calipers...measure in from the high E string .075
On the Low E string measure in .085
This measurement is "X"

I cut the pairs for the low E and A at .085
I cut all the other pairs at .075

.085 X 2 =.170
.075 X 4 =.300

add these=.470 - "X" = "Y" this is all the spaces inbetween all the pairs.To figure out the space between each of the pairs ....

.470-"X" ="Y" divided by 5 = the space between pairs.

Thats it .

Thanks Mark,
I'll give your system a try. In between my post, and your I answer I tried making one by eyeballing the your photos that Peter posted. It turned out fairly well, but I got the spacing between the fifth and sixth pairs too small, and I had to make the space between the pairs wider, because the bone I was using was very brittle. I ordered the nut files from Stew-Mac, but they had no blanks that matched the dimensions of the Ric nut, so I used a saddle blank. I have just ordered a carbon neck rod which is 1/8x3/8x24" (rectangular) which should match up well. As soon as I get this I'll give your instructions a try. I can definitly feel the positive change even in my first attempt. You can see my before and after photo at http://www.home.earthlink.net/~ruchniat/ricnut3.jpg