Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

You guys who go from stock RIC strings to pyramids; what do you do about the nut? Is there an easy fix or is that something I should let an "expert" handle?

Cole

I think I used a "*******" file, it's a round tapered file that you can buy from Sears in a set and carefully enlarged the nut for the A and D strings. It's an easy fix as long as you are careful and do it slowly checking a lot to make sure it doesn't get too big, the stuff files very easily so easy does it.

Let me jump in here and clarify a bit:

"*******" refers to the way the teeth are cut on a file. Files generally are one of three cuts: *******, second cut, first cut.

******* teeth are cut in a double tangent arc, which yields a file with teeth that are more random than regular. It removes material more rapidly than a second or first cut file.

A second cut file has teeth cut in a diamond pattern, very regularly. A first cut file has teeth running in just one parallel direction at an angle to either edge. It leaves the smoothest finish of all.

A small tapered file is called a "rat-tail" file because that what it looks like. A rat-tail file is available in all three cuts from places like McMaster-Carr; I'm not too familiar with which ones Sears stocks.

Sears clerk to customer:

"Sir, would you like one of these bastards?"

Customer to clerk (a bit taken aback):

"Nope. I'll take one of these SOBs."

There's also a jury-rigged way: use the string itself. Of course, those who use expensive strings are a little reluctant to treat them in such an abusive manner, so I'd suggest that you buy a couple of POS single strings (of the same gauge) for this purpose.

It goes like this: Grab the string in a couple of places, and stretch it tight. Then, put the string at the top of the slot and "saw" it back and forth. If you're not taking off too much material, it should go relatively quickly. Don't go too deep.

Since you're doing the heavy strings, you can probably find a small file (jeweler's file, points file, etc.) that's about the right width. Don't go too deep.

If you want to get carried away, buy some nut files - but if you're going to spend that much money for a single use, take it to a luthier and have him give the guitar a complete setup for what you'd pay for the files.

When I replaced the original strings of my 4003 for the first time with Dean Markley 45-65-80-105 set, the A slot could not accept the Dean Markley. I just wrap a piece of 800 grit sand paper around the RIC A string and gently file the walls of the A slot without filing its depth. It was a one-minute job and the new string sits perfectly in the slot. Very cheap and no files needed.

Stop it, Wilczynski!! My last root canal was a real *******!!

Your Sears story reminds me of the 60's 'super ball' craze. You may remember those rubber balls that rebounded around 95%. My dearly departed Mum asked an assistant at a toy store, "excuse me young man - do you have Super Balls??"

My brother and I ran out of the store in stitches while my Mum tried to explain.

OK, thanks guys, I'm off to church so I will read this thread when I get home.

Cole

Not sure if there's a problem with them on a guitar but, my 4003 has Pyramids and they fit just fine without alteration.

Last week a well-known actress was stopped on an LA freeway for speeding. She batted her eyelashes at the Highway Patrol officer but he either failed to recognize her or was just playing dumb. So she decided to take another tack.

"Officer, can I buy a ticket to the policeman's ball?" she asked.

Without thinking, he rejoined: "Ma'am, the Highway Patrol doesn't have any balls."

The actress claims that at that point the patrolman turned beet red, got into his car and left without giving her a ticket to anything.

Pyramids are flats you're going to have to saw it back and forth for a long time, seriously I tried that with flats it doesn't work or at least I don't have the patience for it.
I wondered why they were called ******* files and it is very rough also.

Still, bastards are generally rougher than SOBs.

Paul that's a good one!
Although I've heard it before it was much longer. Good joke tho

What happens if the nut is too wide?
I'm not saying that I have this problem but my next strings will be the Rickenbacker strings whereas now I use Erny Ball Regulars with no problems now, does anyone think the change from a 46 to 42 will be too much of a difference and I'll have problems with the nut?

I will be surprised if you have a problem with the nut going from a 46 to a 42 Patrick.

Thank you for your response. I'm going give that "*******" a try. BTW, I guess I should have been more specific about the instrument in question. It's for a 370_12, not the bass this time.

Cole