What to do with my tailpiece? Help pls

[ejungle]

The R tailpiece in my Ric 620-12 broke almost 5 years ago.
I sent it back to Rickenbacker requesting a new one which I was happy to pay for.
I have spent the last five years trying to get a replacement with NO luck !!!
Apparently I was meant to get an "RA" number to send with the broken tailpiece.
I didn't get one as I wasn't told I needed to.

Rickenbacker deny having received it which leaves me with a gorgeous guitar that can't be played.
They won't sell me one and ignore my emails and requests.

As you can imagine I'm hanging out to play my Ric, haven't for 5 years.

This is an incredibly frustrating experience and as I live in Australia am unable to go to the headquarters and deal with it.
Even phoning is difficult because of the expense and time differences.

If anyone has ANY suggestions to help my dilemma, I would appreciate it enormously.
thanks

[ken_j]

Welcome to the forum Kate. At this point I would look for a used one. Place a wanted ad in the "Rickenbacker Wanted" section of this forum. The other option is to but a RIC trapeze tailpiece. These do not need an exchange for purchase.

[jps]

I agree that the trapeze may be the best way to go, besides, it is a lot easier to string up than the R tailpiece.

[jch]

Hi Kate

You must have the patience of a saint,i would've been going nuts after 5 days never mind 5 years without playing my Ricks!

I would go with a trapeze as well.

[red_rob]

Screw the trapeze! She wants an "R" and an "R" she should have.

Come on RIC, show the love eh....?

[ejungle]

Thanks everone for your input.

First I need to clarify something.
I am writing on behalf of my husband Clive.
He is not into computers so asked me to come into this forum on his behalf.
He's just in the background though, not far away!
Although "I" have lived every moment of the last 5 years with his broken Ric, so feel it is my problem also LOL
I just want to help him resolve the problem.

re: buying a TRAPEZE tailpiece
Clive phoned Rick Cannata at Customer Service 5 months ago - Rick said he could not help him and could not sell him a Trapeze tailpiece.
Yet again, another frustrating dead end.

He has also written to John Hall via registered mail and received NO reply or response.
Same with emails he has sent to John Hall, no response.

We simply can't understand this behaviour or mode style of business?
It's unfair and not rational.
All he wants is to get his guitar going again.......not too much to ask.

Can anyone suggest where we may be able to purchase a Trapeze tailpiece?

With thanks

[rickenrocker]

When the infringement market is more important to you than your customers....

[ozover50]

Hi Kate (and Clive hiding in the background).

I don't have a spare one of either type here, Kate, but maybe one of our other Aussie forum members can chime in. Ebay USA is by far your best bet having exhausted your attempts with RIC. Perhaps one of our friends in the US can source one (legitmately) and ship it over.

Stay tuned......

[ejungle]

exactly howard.
any of those options would be great!

somehow it will resolve..........

[rickenrocker]

maybe you could find a cheap copy so you could at least play your guitar until you get a real part for your real rickenbacker

[shamustwin]

I'm no handyman, but since an R tailpiece is a piece of metal, can't it be welded then buffed and plated back into working order?

[jps]

I'm no handyman, but since an R tailpiece is a piece of metal, can't it be welded then buffed and plated back into working order?

Yes, Dale has done so in the past.

[bugman]

Kate-- Check this auction out on ebay. I just saw it today and its at $50.00. Is this what you are looking for?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rickenbacker-12-Twe ... dZViewItem

[ejungle]

we are looking in to both options now.........

eBay and Pick of the Rics

thanks guys!

[marctrain57]

I have a 6 string R tailpiece, is it possible to cut in the extra grroves that you need ?