12 string R tailpiece on a 6 string?

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73lemon
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12 string R tailpiece on a 6 string?

Post by 73lemon »

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!
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admin
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Re: 12 string R tailpiece on a 6 string?

Post by admin »

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.
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ric 12 tailpiece underside.jpg
ric 6 string tailpiece.jpg
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iiipopes
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Re: 12 string R tailpiece on a 6 string?

Post by iiipopes »

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.
73lemon
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Re: 12 string R tailpiece on a 6 string?

Post by 73lemon »

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...
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Re: 12 string R tailpiece on a 6 string?

Post by admin »

Will, please let us know how it goes.
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scotty
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Re: 12 string R tailpiece on a 6 string?

Post by scotty »

73lemon wrote:Hi-
Can a 12 string "R" tailpiece be used on a 6 string?
Absoulety, no problems at all.
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scotty
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Re: 12 string R tailpiece on a 6 string?

Post by scotty »

73lemon wrote:Hi-
Can a 12 string "R" tailpiece be used on a 6 string?
Absoulety, no problems at all.
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collin
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Re: 12 string R tailpiece on a 6 string?

Post by collin »

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.
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