New member LtDave32

[Veenture]

The Davenbacker looks great

Just Mel's cup of tea...THREE pickups!

[rballister]

Stunning workmanship on that Davenbacker!!! I had a short scale John Lennon model rick for awhile--got rid of it, simply wouldn't stay in tune.

[hardprom]

rballister...did you use heavy enough strings? Those short scale Rics simply scream for 12s or 13s.

[ltdave32]

Thanks for your praise, fellas!

Regarding string gauges on short-scale guitars; hardprom is quite correct on the usage of heavier gauge strings, Mine was first "mocked up" with 10's (plain third) and it wouldn't intonate or stay in tune at all. I switched to 12's with a wound third and the problem went away. I was later able to go down to 11's with a wound third and it still is okay, but my scale is 22", actual Ric 325 scale is 20.75, and the heavier string rule really applies on those, but the heavier strings on a 20.75 scale feel as if they are a lighter gauge because the short scale doesn't require as much tension to bring it up to pitch..

[rballister]

I believe it had 11's (didn't keep it that long). It was a hassle. I bought it at Rudy's in the city. I went back a couple of years later--they no longer carried that model but they did have the same instrument with a longer scale. To go off on a small tangent, after I played it for awhile it made me reassess what I was actually hearing on the Beatles records. John's rhythm guitar was much thumpier and less jangly than what I thought I heard. I recently purchased a couple of the Beatles reissues which seem to confirm it. My "kid" ears heard the Beatles as one giant "jangle" (I think that was pretty much all George). Of course different ears etc. your mileage may vary...

[101Volts]

Welcome, Dave. The Davenbacker looks good.

Welcome Dave and thank you -and your (building) buddies- for enriching the board by sharing what you've got going, Mosrite- and otherwise wise.
That Davenbacher is stunningly beautiful. BTW, Rickenbacher is "Mosrite friendly" too!

Paul

Yep, Mosrite has history with Rickenbacker.

Thanks for your praise, fellas!

Regarding string gauges on short-scale guitars; hardprom is quite correct on the usage of heavier gauge strings, Mine was first "mocked up" with 10's (plain third) and it wouldn't intonate or stay in tune at all. I switched to 12's with a wound third and the problem went away. I was later able to go down to 11's with a wound third and it still is okay, but my scale is 22", actual Ric 325 scale is 20.75, and the heavier string rule really applies on those, but the heavier strings on a 20.75 scale feel as if they are a lighter gauge because the short scale doesn't require as much tension to bring it up to pitch..

I'd probably be using baritone strings on a guitar with a scale length that short if I could find a suitable set. 14s or 15s, maybe?

Austin

[ltdave32]

Welcome, Dave. The Davenbacker looks good.

Welcome Dave and thank you -and your (building) buddies- for enriching the board by sharing what you've got going, Mosrite- and otherwise wise.
That Davenbacher is stunningly beautiful. BTW, Rickenbacher is "Mosrite friendly" too!

Paul

Yep, Mosrite has history with Rickenbacker.

Thanks for your praise, fellas!

Regarding string gauges on short-scale guitars; hardprom is quite correct on the usage of heavier gauge strings, Mine was first "mocked up" with 10's (plain third) and it wouldn't intonate or stay in tune at all. I switched to 12's with a wound third and the problem went away. I was later able to go down to 11's with a wound third and it still is okay, but my scale is 22", actual Ric 325 scale is 20.75, and the heavier string rule really applies on those, but the heavier strings on a 20.75 scale feel as if they are a lighter gauge because the short scale doesn't require as much tension to bring it up to pitch..

I'd probably be using baritone strings on a guitar with a scale length that short if I could find a suitable set. 14s or 15s, maybe?

Austin

Austin, I failed to mention that for an experiment, I moved all the strings over, discarding the high E, so the B became the E, the G became the B, etc.. This made the set effectively a 13, and it was like suspension-bridge cables.. Way too stiff. Remember, my scale is 22" not 20 3/4...

[stl80]

Welcome.
Jim