Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

It doesn't look like those were ever notched. Is that the way the slanted fret models came? Is it a replacement bridge? I don't know.

You should be able to get those filed down and re-notched by any competent guitar tech.
Your guess is good as my own, deaconblues,but I'm pretty sure the bridge is ...

jps wrote:Wow, your saddles brought this to mind!

I think it's a rare Slant-fret-sawtooth-sierra special!!

Any advice about these saddles?, I just took a good look at them after all these years!..Looks like strings may have "Hopped around" due to Bigsby??..can I simply have these existing saddles rounded and filed down a little more? :D or are they shot? :( And if replaced,where do I get suitable ...

After all these years of owning this 481 Slant Fret w/Bigsby, Just got a good look at the saddles!, I guess the"Sawtooth Mountain" look came from going down on trem bar,and maybe strings slipped around with slant fret angle?..(they stay put with genteel trem action).,and the original bridge rocks ...

Any advice about these saddles?, I just took a good look at them after all these years!..Looks like strings may have "Hopped around" due to Bigsby??..can I simply have these existing saddles rounded and filed down a little more? :D or are they shot? :( And if replaced,where do I get suitable ...

I just registered my 481 w/Bigsby, it was already mounted when I got it umpteen years ago, the original tailpeice holes were filled in. The Bigsby/slant fret combo has taken it's toll on the original(?) bridge saddles, which I will post close-ups in a new post elsewhere this forum. Don't play it as ...

IMG_0396 (1024x576).jpg IMG_0395 (1024x576).jpg Thanks All for the replies!...Your knoweledge and advice,combined with my tight budget,has helped decide to keep it the way it is, I recently purchased a few newer guitars to start myself playing and recording again,(Epiphone Wildkat and Les Paul ...

If there's two holes next to the strap pin on the bottom of the guitar that will tell you if someone removed the 'R' tailpiece.

Bear in mind with the bridge reccomendations that the 481 bridge is slanted, which has an impact on how the strings cross the saddles.
Yes,Grey,there are filled in holes ...

deaconblues wrote:I think the bowtie is a good suggestion. It was made for that style of vibrato.

Available here: http://www.the-music-connection.com/ricpart.htm

Thank you deaconblues,I checked that out,they also have a bridge cover too!

Welcome, Jim, and thanks for registering your 481. :) Got any pictures for us?

Have you considered a Bigsby bowtie bridge for a replacement? I think they rock nicely by design and sound better than a roller bridge, which also tends to bog down and fail to roll. I feel simplicity is best, as long ...

Thank you for accepting me as new member!, I've seen this site off and on for a few years now,and am very happy to share my Rick with others, as well as see the all the different variations of the 481/slant from other owners.I don't think the Bigsby was installed by Ric,but who knows? tuning is ...