Tail lift on a NOS tailpiece?

[phlemmy]

Is that possible? The one I just got from POTR has a wee bit of lift. Odd. Or normal maybe? I dunno.

[johnallg]

Does the bass body taper off towards the butt edge? Is the tailpiece flat when laid on a known flat surface? Are the three screws under the bridge really tightened into the wood pulling up the tail end? If not, I'd call Chris and ask.

[jwr2]

There are certain constants in the universe ... Gravity ... the speed of light ... and Ric tailpieces pull up ... unless you have an old one from the 60s ...

There is an easy fix ... 2 extra screws ...

they can be replaced ...

This is a design flaw that has been there for decades ... Ric had a solution when they added extra screws but customers complained about the appearance so the screws went away and the tailpieces continue to lift in 2008 ...

[danomar]

I think the question pertains to whether or not a new old-stock bridge should have lift. I would think not, but I am no expert. We already know that later-style stock Rickenbacker bridges eventually bend a bit. Does anyone have a new, unused one lying around?

[phlemmy]

It's being installed this week. I would have done it myself but I don't have a soldering toll, plus the shop is putting bigger strings on and doing a full set up etc. It may look fine once the screws are in, but I swear it looked like it was curved upwards a bit with no prior use.

[johnallg]

I would check the outer side edge with a ruler to see if it is indeed flat and just an optical illusion or if it is curved a bit. I would expect it to be flat.

[rickfan60]

Why that Chris Clayton - dirty so and so. No, there is probably nothing to worry about. Not every Rickenbacker bass has a perfectly flat top. Not every Rickenbacker tailpice was cast perfectly. Not every example of lift is a problem.

[johnallg]

Does the bass body taper off towards the butt edge? Is the tailpiece flat when laid on a known flat surface? Are the three screws under the bridge really tightened into the wood pulling up the tail end? If not, I'd call Chris and ask.

Thus my first above post.

[woodyng]

all of these problems can be eliminated quickly by installing an aluminum hipshot bridge,unless you just HAVE to have that mute pad. plus,at least in my case,intonation is a snap,string-to-string balance is improved,and playing behind the pickup is much easier. i could see where the brass version of this might not be good,but the aluminum one is a winner. sorry,but the idea of drilling extra holes to accomodate (one) of the shortcomings of the original design just is not appealing...

[jwr2]

If I played a 4 string Ric I would consider the Hipshot ... instead I just install the extra screws ... a simple effective engineering solution to the problem ...

[phlemmy]

I'll pick the bass up Wednesday and will see if there is some lift. The 2 extra screws is not an option for me.

[phlemmy]

The lift is there. I'm perplexed, but whatever.

[thumper73533]

i don't think the tailpiece is lifting but the paint is cracking and chipping on the sides near the front of the tailpiece. i think this is a factory flaw but i'm told sence its an 06 its out of warranty.