The Fishman PowerBridge and Rickenbacker??

arnold_grove · Post by **arnold_grove** » Fri May 20, 2005 11:58 pm

Hi all,

I was just wondering, does Rickenbacker offer a piezo bridge option, such as the Fishman PowerBridge, on their electrics. I have both a Strat and a Casino with the PowerBridge and they sound fantastic. I was thinking of getting a 330 in the near future and, if it had a piezo, it would be the perfect all-around guitar.

Thanks in advance,
AG

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sat May 21, 2005 12:51 am

Arnold,

The 380L featured a piezo setup as well as a humbucker, with the ability to select either or to mix the two signals. By most accounts it was a delicious-sounding guitar.

But, you're about 6 weeks late--it was discontinued on April 1 of this year. With a bit of searching, you may be able to find one for sale.

It doesn't look like a 330, though...it was oiled walnut...

brian · Post by **brian** » Sat May 21, 2005 4:39 am

http://www.rickenbacker.com/us/380l.htm

arnold_grove · Post by **arnold_grove** » Sat May 21, 2005 10:41 am

Hi,

I do remember the 380L. In fact, a friend of mine sold his a month ago, only to learn that they discontinued it. He was upset, to say the least. But I'm definitely in the market for a 330 and the 380 isn't really what I'm looking for.

Anyhow, I contacted Fishman to see if there was any intention of designing a PowerBridge for Rickenbackers. I do a lot of cover gigs and having the ability to switch from acoustic to electric is a commodity! I have the Power Bridge on both my AS Strat and my Epi Casino.

I'm sort of a novice with Ricks, so forgive me for asking a silly question: Don't most Rickenbacker 6 string models use the same bridge? If that were the case, I think it would make sense to design a 'drop in' replacement piezo bridge that would work for Rickenbackers. It's a worthwile upgrade, and would probably sound fantastic on the 300 series guitars.

Thanks for all the info!!

Regards,
AG

BobKat · Post by **BobKat** » Sat May 21, 2005 4:49 pm

http://www.edromanguitars.com/guitar/rickenbacker/ultratone_ric.htm

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Sat May 21, 2005 5:32 pm

More power to Ed if he can figure out how to make a 12 saddle piezo bridge- I never did.

If you have 12 pickups, the crystals have to be so small that it requires so much amplification that it sounds like an early Barcus Barry pickup. If six pickups are used in a shared pair arrangement, you get the most horrendous, ear-piercing noise you've ever heard due to beat effect.

That's not to say it can't be done but it'll take someone with a brilliant solution to do it.

arnold_grove · Post by **arnold_grove** » Sat May 21, 2005 10:01 pm

Thanks for the feedback!

I could imagine how difficult it would be for a 12 string piezo setup. Luckily, I'm looking for a 6 string arrangement.

I'd actually like to have the 330 be my main guitar in the future.

Is there something possibly on the horizon for a 6 saddle piezo bridge, Mr. Hall?

Thanks for chiming in on my post, I'm truly honored!

Best regards,
AG

qmoder · Post by **qmoder** » Sun May 22, 2005 12:43 am

Is there one of for tunomatic bridges? They could be used with a bigsby.

arnold_grove · Post by **arnold_grove** » Mon May 23, 2005 1:53 pm

Hi all,

Well, I got a response from Fishman regarding Rickenbacker-specific piezo bridges...

Good morning:

Thanks for your inquiry and your good review. At this point in time we do not manufacture a Rickenbacker-specific Powerbridge, and unfortunately I do not see that being manufactured anytime in the near future. I know this isn't the answer you were looking for but I hope it helps get you pointed in the right direction...S

Scott
Repair Coordinator/Tech Support
Fishman Transducers

Oh well, any other suggestions are more than welcome!

Regards,
AG