RC 12 ( to the nines)

I'm retired with plenty of time on my hands. I've no excuse for 'hogging' the job, but time doesn't always equal out to perfection. Ability is sometimes isn't enough. Even 'talent' and 'skill' fall short. So long as experience itself has not been reduced to examples of mediocracy, it helps the most. And for gosh sakes, forget 'luck'. I use a little from each with the expectations of it being that fleeting mental image of perfection. Reality is what we get. I'm not sure that by the time adjustments are made I won't end up with a heap. Thanks for the compliment. I used Behlin String lacquer and Trans Tone wood dye. But since it's been winter up here, it was a daunting task. I'm pleased to have dodged the complications of nitrocellulose in sub-freezing temps.

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Originally Posted by Bill Jackson

. And for gosh sakes, forget 'luck'.

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I dunno about that. I see the phenomenon referred to as 'dumb luck' all the time.
Trouble is that it always happens to somebody else.

cheers, Mark.

The very first thing I noticed when I plugged it in was that 5.8 ohm neck pickup. I loved it. But the DIY honeymoon couldn't make it through the 'action'. I wasn't able to make a chord past the third fret. You, sir, are quite correct about the 'spread' and the saddle/nut. I ordered a Rickenbacker 12 string nut last night, and I'm seriously contemplating re-nothing the bridge. I'll get you a picture. Thank you for the input. It's very helpful

I used the wrong tool Dremel).

If you have a look at this picture of a Ric 12-string bridge, you can see that the notches aren't central but offset in pairs, to get the correct string spacing but still have individual string intonation available. You may be able to re-notch your saddles. or you might need some new ones.

Attachment 25346

I'd use a triangular needle file to put a V-notch in the saddles. Alternatively the Gibson way to notch the saddles is to put the strings on the saddles in the required position then hit each string into its saddle with a hammer. New strings then get fitted before the guitar leaves the factory. But that's an expensive method as 12-string sets aren't cheap.

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Originally Posted by Simon Barden

If you have a look at this picture of a Ric 12-string bridge, you can see that the notches aren't central but offset in pairs, to get the correct string spacing but still have individual string intonation available. You may be able to re-notch your saddles. or you might need some new ones.

Attachment 25346

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hi Simon, in this pic the strings in sequence appear to go thick thin - thick thin etc, wheras pabs pic above is opposite?
is there a standard or does it not matter and just an option? maybe a lefty? never seen a 12 in rl myself, interesting thread.

guitar looks very nice btw Bill

Rickenbacker use a reversed string pattern to the normal 12-string arrangement. It's one of those things that help give the Ric 12-strings their very jangly sound. Very difficult to nail it with a normal thin-thick pattern.

Rickenbacker, for reasons best known only to them, have always strung their 12 string electrics "back to front". Conventional wisdom is that the octave string is above the standard so that all strings will ring out properly when you downstroke a chord. All other major guitar companies use the octave above standard configuration.

I would be interested to know if this string spacing is the norm for these kits.
One of these was top of the list for my next build but I think this would put me right off.