Bridge screws going walkabout!!

red_rob · Post by **red_rob** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 11:57 pm

Last night I took my 360V64 round to a friends to show off, generally have a bit of an experimental session and to "throw it around" a bit. This was the first Ric I bought and I've only had it a few months so I've had kid gloves on with it so far but I kind of went for it last night....

Anyway, it sounded fantastic and said friend was suitably impressed. As I was smuggly placing the guitar back in the case I noticed one of the four bridge screws was missing. Horrified, I spent the next 30 minutes on my hands and knees with my face pressed to the floor trying to locate the damn thing. Thankfully I found it and another ten minutes later I found the spring too. This has got me worried though. Had it happened in a gig or if I hadn't noticed at the time, there's no way I'd have found it.

Has this happenend to anyone else? Had I played for longer would the whole bloody bridge have flopped off?!??!?! Should I just stand still like George Harrison in future???

I checked to see if there were earlier threads about this and I found the one about loose screws that were causing the bridge to slip down and the loc-tite suggestions but no one appears to have experienced them falling completely out so I thought I'd ask.

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 12:18 am

Rob: This has not been reported here as a significant problem. But, if you are going to be playing like Pete Townshend the I guess you can expect this sort of thing. Just kidding.

I routinely make sure that the screws are adjusted to the same height and that one of them is not loose. You can also purchase a couple of extra screws to have just in case.

red_rob · Post by **red_rob** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 12:55 am

Thanks Peter. Any tips on where I can but those screws? Should I contact RIC or try my luck on ebay?

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 1:35 am

I would start here. Of course, once you get a handful of these springs and screws you will never lose another.

red_rob · Post by **red_rob** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 2:38 am

Thanks Pete!

Is there ANYTHING this site can't help with?!?!?!

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 2:42 am

Your're most welcome Robert.

Regarding our ability to overcome obstacles, whether you think you can or you can't, you're right!

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 2:51 am

I don't think it is a general problem Rob. I am a pretty aggressive player, but I have not had this problem with any of my gtrs, other than once. That was because the bridge was not adjusted properly & had a 'tilt' on it & one of the screws used to undo. The bridge was set up properly & it doesn't happen any more.

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 2:57 am

Exactly right Tony.

Robert: When you lose a part just get Tony to send you one. Another resource in the UK.

I would still like to know from both of you what your best price on a Celestion Blue is in the UK? After all, they are made there.

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 4:00 am

I don't know if it's a 'best' price or not Peter, but you would expect to pay around the £200 for one. Pretty hefty, but with a bit of luck, you only have to buy it once!

red_rob · Post by **red_rob** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 4:30 am

Sorry Peter - I forgot that you'd asked about that. I think I have a knack for getting ripped off or something because the ones I've seen have been about £250!

I reckon my bridge screw problem might just be teething troubles. Now that I know to look out for it I'll ensure the bridge is set up correctly and there's no loose screws.

Or maybe I should just calm down....I'll sign in tomorrow asking what to do when the neck falls off!

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 7:04 am

Thanks Tony and Robert. There is certainly a wide range of prices around the globe on the Celestion Blues.

red_rob · Post by **red_rob** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 7:05 am

Check out the last review here! Similar problem and no quality guys at ricsRus to help....

http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data4/Rickenbacker/381_V69-01.html

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 7:56 am

Rob, that last review is a sort of sore spot. He's been on about this to anybody who will listen, and has raised a stink and tried to do a lot of damage in public forums.

BTW, the first review on the same page is my own of my lovely 381V69, written the week I got it.

Those screws can be replaced in a pinch with standard hardware store items. The size and description is 4-40 X 1/2" socket head Allen cap screw.

The difference between hardware store and RIC ones is that the RIC ones are nickel plated or stainless steel; standard finish on these types of screws from the hardware store is black oxide..

Stainless steel ones are available from McMaster Carr; their part # is 92196A110 and they're $4.63 per box of 100. That should cover losses in perpetuity. Use Loctite in the future.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 8:01 am

Oh, forgot about lost spring: A ballpoint pen spring will work in a gig-pinch. Cut it down to about 1/3 its length with a pair of nail clippers. McMaster-Carr lists nothing that will fit, surprisingly!

red_rob · Post by **red_rob** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 8:02 am

Ouch.

In that case, I'd like to take this opportunity to apologise and thank everyone for their advice and help. Particularly the guys at ricsRus and you too Paul - you're review was one of the factors in me writing a certain cheque a few weeks back!

Loctite and a bottle of tact pills on order.