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R vs Trapeze Tailpieces

Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2020 8:19 pm
by RicUpNorth
I’m sure this has been covered and I’m failing at searching. Is there any functional difference between the two, or is it just aesthetic? I’m a Tom Petty nut so the 620-12 on the Damn the Torpedoes cover is what made me fall in love with Ric’s. I have a 620-6 and have always considered swapping to the trapeze because of that album cover....

Re: R vs Trapeze Tailpieces

Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2020 9:08 pm
by jps
RicUpNorth wrote:Is there any functional difference between the two, or is it just aesthetic?
It's both.

Hope this helps.

Re: R vs Trapeze Tailpieces

Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2020 9:27 am
by RicUpNorth
jps wrote:
RicUpNorth wrote:Is there any functional difference between the two, or is it just aesthetic?
It's both.

Hope this helps.
Any elaboration on functional differences? Visual part is easy to see! Thanks.

Re: R vs Trapeze Tailpieces

Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2020 4:30 pm
by jch
Trapeze is easier to string and doesn't explode ! :wink:

Re: R vs Trapeze Tailpieces

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 12:58 am
by Clifton
It also might be slightly easier to adjust the bridge intonation, since I think the trapeze is a teeny bit shorter than the R.

Re: R vs Trapeze Tailpieces

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 3:58 pm
by collin
I don't believe that the length of string between the bridge and the tailpiece has any effect on setting the intonation (which corresponds only between the length of string from the saddle to the nut).

Re: R vs Trapeze Tailpieces

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 4:21 pm
by jps
collin wrote:I don't believe that the length of string between the bridge and the tailpiece has any effect on setting the intonation (which corresponds only between the length of string from the saddle to the nut).
I think Clifton is referring to having a bit more space for a screwdriver.

Re: R vs Trapeze Tailpieces

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 5:00 pm
by collin
jps wrote:
collin wrote:I don't believe that the length of string between the bridge and the tailpiece has any effect on setting the intonation (which corresponds only between the length of string from the saddle to the nut).
I think Clifton is referring to having a bit more space for a screwdriver.
Ah, of course. In that case, yes!

Always a bear to access the screw, with an R tailpiece.

Re: R vs Trapeze Tailpieces

Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2020 7:54 pm
by Clifton
jps wrote:
collin wrote:I don't believe that the length of string between the bridge and the tailpiece has any effect on setting the intonation (which corresponds only between the length of string from the saddle to the nut).
I think Clifton is referring to having a bit more space for a screwdriver.

Yes, exactly what I was referring to!

Re: R vs Trapeze Tailpieces

Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 11:46 am
by Sugarcane
Speaking of which, I just ordered a R to Trapeze conversion kit, the tailpiece and bracket set with the correct screw distances so I don't have to drill any new holes.

Nothing wrong with my R tailpiece, it's a 6-string guitar, but after reading so many stories I guess it won't be bad to have a spare stainless steel tailpiece.

Re: R vs Trapeze Tailpieces

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 3:08 am
by Clifton
Sérgio wrote:Speaking of which, I just ordered a R to Trapeze conversion kit, the tailpiece and bracket set with the correct screw distances so I don't have to drill any new holes.

Nothing wrong with my R tailpiece, it's a 6-string guitar, but after reading so many stories I guess it won't be bad to have a spare stainless steel tailpiece.
Did you change it out? I'm curious to hear what you think about it.

Re: R vs Trapeze Tailpieces

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 11:51 am
by RicUpNorth
Clifton wrote:
Sérgio wrote:Speaking of which, I just ordered a R to Trapeze conversion kit, the tailpiece and bracket set with the correct screw distances so I don't have to drill any new holes.

Nothing wrong with my R tailpiece, it's a 6-string guitar, but after reading so many stories I guess it won't be bad to have a spare stainless steel tailpiece.
Did you change it out? I'm curious to hear what you think about it.
I’d love to hear also!

Re: R vs Trapeze Tailpieces

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 3:19 pm
by jsegovia
I'm a Beatle fanatic - I've been one since the mid-70s. I've been wanting a Rickenbacker 12 string ever since - although I've been playing guitar seriously since that time I never owned one until this year. When I first noticed that George Harrison had two different Rick 12 strings I decided I liked the look of the first but I really wanted that R tailpiece, so my plan was to someday find a vintage 360/12 like Harrison's (I didn't realize they were so rare!) but replace the tailpiece with the R. Since then I've come to appreciate the clean look of the trapeze tailpiece, especially because of Harrison's original 360/12 and because of Mike Campbell's 620/12 as well. The trapeze tailpiece on my 360/12c63 isn't going anywhere! :)

Jesse