Reproduction Pre-1974 Aluminum Tailpiece / Bridge

[Captain Bob]

I'm in...

As John Fay suggested, the ability to lower the action to a greater degree would be helpful. Moreover, the sand cast bridge sometimes sits on the 3 tailpiece screw heads that may raise it ever so slightly impeding the ability for it to rest fully on the floor of the tailpiece.

[Gilmourisgod]

Any conjecture on what the brass tubes are where the mute screws would be? Some kind of over-the string mute assembly, perchance? it's beautifully machined, and better looking then the Hipshot, wish Ric would license something like this if they don't want to make an upgraded bridge themselves. I can't see any downside to an arrangement like that, they get a piece of it for doing nothing, players get a more easily adjustable bridge that looks unlikey to ever tail lift. Win/Win.

[Kopfjaeger]

No idea about any of the features of this tail piece. i wish the luthier would have responded to the repeated messages I sent him about it. Sadly, he did not.

It's a bit of a departure from the current design with keeping the same foot print. More aesthetically pleasing, in my opinion, than the Hipshot. In having a new "sandcast" type replacement made perhaps think outside of the box a little and design a better one. My two cents.

Sepp

[DriftSpace]

In having a new "sandcast" type replacement made perhaps think outside of the box a little and design a better one.

+1

It would be a huge opportunity missed to not do this.

[woodyng]

Perhaps something lie this??

1619240_1092128730813230_2739321616300756143_n.jpg

That's very interesting,and uber-cool-looking.
Don't see what the point of the 2 brass tubes might be. (nostalgia for scraped knuckles?)
I do prefer the design concept to the separate piece design of the factory bridge/tailpiece.

[chefothefuture]

I would even welcome a redisign of the bridge insert.
Insetting the saddles to compensate for neck lift....

[callofcthulhu]

Do it in brass, and you'll have my interest.

[1STNAMEBASSIST]

I'm thinking maybe those brass tubes are there for an optional mute assembly? Maybe they are removable if you would choose not to use the mute?

[aceonbass]

Something as massive as a 4001/3 tailpiece cast in brass would weigh at least a pound, and change the tone of the instrument. Brass is fine for the 4003S5 bridge inserts, and BadAss bridges because they're not that big, but I'm trying to keep my basses at 9lbs or less these days.

[teeder]

+1!

I wouldn't do it in anything except aluminum.

[DriftSpace]

However, that's another advantage of CNC over sand casting; with CNC you already have a CAD file, so -- in the event that someone wanted a brass tail as opposed to aluminum -- it's just a matter of putting different material in the machine, as opposed to properly preparing a sand mold, preparing the alloy, and then having to clean-up each individual piece afterwards. There's little reason someone wouldn't be able to get a tail made out of whatever material they want if someone already has a CNC machine set-up to do it.

I'm also in the aluminum camp, but if someone wants a 1-pound brass tail on their instrument: go nuts.

[callofcthulhu]

Something as massive as a 4001/3 tailpiece cast in brass would weigh at least a pound, and change the tone of the instrument. Brass is fine for the 4003S5 bridge inserts, and BadAss bridges because they're not that big, but I'm trying to keep my basses at 9lbs or less these days.

I'm more than willing to take on an extra pound in exchange for tone and balance. Hell, I'd take on 10 pounds.

Extra weight on the tail is less noticeable when you're playing than weight added anywhere else, anyway.

[jdogric12]

I wonder if that much of a change would make the tone so different that the pickups wouldn't sound as good. I've heard Rick pickups don't sound great on other kinds of guitars because they are voiced for those bright all-maple bodies.

[bobbolux]

I'm in...

As John Fay suggested, the ability to lower the action to a greater degree would be helpful. Moreover, the sand cast bridge sometimes sits on the 3 tailpiece screw heads that may raise it ever so slightly impeding the ability for it to rest fully on the floor of the tailpiece.

yes, when the saddles are all the way back, unfortunately something almost every Ric requires, the bottom of the saddle rocks on the oval screw heads in the base.
easy fix, this is what I do...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/136764860 ... datetaken/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/136764860 ... datetaken/

[Captain Bob]

For some reason, I couldn't open those links without having to create a Yahoo acct. I'll simply guess you have replaced them with flatheads. This what I have done on the '64. Actually, mine are factory screw's with the crown of the screw ground more flat, leaving the same area of purchase securing the tailpiece.

Also, brass castings were mentioned ...these are to be pre-74 aluminum reproductions like the originals. Hopefully, contributing to a portion of that era's instrument tone and appearance.
Recall, this is restorer Larry Davis who seeks to gather and poll everyone's thoughts, and not Hipshot.