Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi-
Can a 12 string "R" tailpiece be used on a 6 string? If so, are there any issues to be aware of? This would be in the context of an 80s 330 or 360. Any thoughts on this appreciated. Thanks!

Will here is the underside of 12 string and 6 string tailpieces. I have never done it but suspect it could work. I would like to hear what others have to say on the matter.

Sure. The tailpiece comb fans out slightly anyway. Just pick six anchor slots that are straight enough in relation to the bridge saddle groves and go. Occasionally a 6-string has been known to come from the factory with a 12-string tailpiece.

Thanks for the replies and info. I have heard that some 6 strings came with 12 string tailpiece from the factory. I think I read somewhere that 60s vintage Rics all came with 12 string tailpieces.

I'll give it a shot and see how it works out...

Will, please let us know how it goes.

73lemon wrote:Hi-
Can a 12 string "R" tailpiece be used on a 6 string?

Absoulety, no problems at all.

73lemon wrote:Hi-
Can a 12 string "R" tailpiece be used on a 6 string?

Absoulety, no problems at all.

73lemon wrote:Thanks for the replies and info. I have heard that some 6 strings came with 12 string tailpiece from the factory. I think I read somewhere that 60s vintage Rics all came with 12 string tailpieces.

As far as I can tell (from owning a bunch of vintage Ricks), the original heavy duty cast "R" tailpiece (with cuts for the strings, not moulded) was never even offered in six-string form. These were used from around Oct/Nov 1964 until mid-1966, on any guitar with an R tailpiece.

From mid-66 onward, six string models typically got the six-string R tailpiece and 12-string models obviously got the 12 version.