How to recognize a genuine Rick Tailpiece?

heinpete · Post by **heinpete** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 9:00 pm

Is this a fake? http://cgi.ebay.com/Rickenbacker-BASS-tailpiece-bridge-4001-4003_W0QQitemZ250108480999QQihZ015QQcategoryZ41439QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 11:00 pm

Definitely, Peter.

ben_brown · Post by **ben_brown** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 12:42 am

How can you tell Sergio?

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 3:04 am

Its not easy to tell from that photo of the back. Here's the front photo from the same auction.

A few ways I've noticed to spot a fake are: 1) The string holes are too circular; a RIC tail has holes that are more like rounded rectangles, 2) The chrome is not as good as RIC's and has corroded substantially, 3) If it had the bridge you would be able to see the difference in the saddles; RIC uses the dull aluminum saddles whereas the fake ones usually have shiny chrome saddles.

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 10:25 am

If it has lift it is genuine.

(runs and hides)

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 11:00 am

ROFLMAO!

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 11:01 am

If it looks like this POS, it's fake.

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 11:11 am

ROFLMAO squared!

ajish4 · Post by **ajish4** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 11:14 am

"If it looks like this POS, it's fake."

And there you have it!

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 11:29 am

Also note the casting marks. RIC tails are different it seems, but the pitted chrome really gives the one in the auction away.

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 2:34 pm

Plus, fake saddles, regardless of whether or not they're "shiny", have upright sides, unlike the real thing. And a fake saddle block simply will not fit the respective pocket on a legit br/tp assembly. As for the "lift" (for lack of a better word) though, every fake I've come across with so far duplicated it to a T.

winston · Post by **winston** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 4:49 pm

I have an Allparts bridge and tailpiece on one of my basses (I have not been able to win the real thing on ebay)....

It's definitely different just as some of you have described.

No lift yet though!