A twelve saddle bridge as "Standard Equipment?"

joeyangel · Post by **joeyangel** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 10:47 pm

I had tried to live with a six-string saddle on my Rickenbacker 12-string, but the leads I run on my low E and A strings made it impossible to be in tune with my band because the intonation was so bad on my guitar. Even giving into the "Slightly Out of Tune" fullness that the six-saddle bridge might give to some 12-strings, I went for the switch. Speaking just for me, having a 12-saddle bridge has made a world of difference in the intonation and the sound when playing lead.
My question is this, I can see Rickenbacker offering a twelve- saddle bridge from their catalogue for older model Rick 12's like mine, but why aren't twelve-saddle bridges offered as standard equipment on the new twelve string Rickenbackers?

wormdiet · Post by **wormdiet** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 5:21 am

Do a search - JH answered this question himself, probably numerous times.

The gist of the explanation was this:
1) If you use "high quality" machined strings, the saddle should theoretically intonate on all strings very well.

2) The materials used to make a "6-saddle" and a "12-saddle" are different, and the six-saddle version sounds better do to its physical properties. The drawback is you can't machine a "12-saddle" out of the same material for technical reasons.

I bypassed the whole issue and went for a 660/12.

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 6:08 am

I have had 3 Ric 12s...a 360, 450 & my present 12, a 330. All of them have had 6 saddle bridges & none of them had any intonation problems at all. I only know a couple of other people with 12s, another 360 & a 620 & they don't have problems either.
It could be Joey, that there are a few instruments that really need a 12 saddle bridge & you're just unlucky if you get such a guitar.
On the bright side though, it's easy to fix....just get a 12 saddle bridge.

grsnovi · Post by **grsnovi** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 7:00 am

The 12 saddle bride is standard equipment on the 660/12 models (and it was on the 660/12TP).

My experience has been that swapping out the six saddle for a twelve saddle on both of mine was goodness. It produced more noticeable results on my 360/12v64 than on my 370/12.

Quite a lot of great music was recorded with RIC twelve strings with six saddle bridges.

The argument that strings of different diameters will correctly intone while breaking over the same point doesn't make sense to me.

loverickbass · Post by **loverickbass** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 2:21 pm

I had tuning problems with my 6 string bridge until I bought some Pyramid strings. After the string change, intonation is close to perfect. Its the strings.

Cole

adam_swapp · Post by **adam_swapp** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 3:13 pm

Gary R. Smith observes: "The argument that strings of different diameters will correctly intone while breaking over the same point doesn't make sense to me."

I've been waiting for that explanation myself.

wormdiet · Post by **wormdiet** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 3:18 pm

There must be some hidden variable, if some 6-saddles will intonate and others' won;t. I assume everybdoy has tried to intonate theres using standard factory string, at least the first time around.

joeyangel · Post by **joeyangel** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 4:45 pm

I stick with the Rickenbacker strings that came on the guitar, and I have extra Rickenbacker sets. They sound good, play good, so I'm happy in that end. Interesting that the 660 model has the twelve-saddle bridge.

eatswodo · Post by **eatswodo** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 6:47 pm

One man's intonation is another man's dissonance....

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 7:26 pm

John wrote:

... There must be some hidden variable..

One such variable is the nut; if the string rests even slightly forward/back of its partner, the intonation will be off.