Finish flakes on R tailpiece

scoobster28 · Post by **scoobster28** » Mon May 03, 2004 3:36 pm

I have a one owner 360/12CW that has some finish flaking on the R-tailpiece. I think it might just be cosmetic but I am not sure. It might be due to a structural crack. I DON'T want to ask Rickenbacker if it is covered under the warranty because I know some people have bugged John Hall about the "exploding tailpiece" incident. It is just that before 5 years runs out on the warrenty if it is covered under that then I would like to get it replaced. If it is cosmetic then I can live with it. Any thoughts? If you guys say it is under warranty then I will give them a call. I just don't want Mr. Hall to be mad at me

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Tue May 04, 2004 4:15 am

he won't be mad at you, go ahead.

scoobster28 · Post by **scoobster28** » Tue May 04, 2004 6:51 am

If Mr. John hall would care to comment on this, it would be most appreciated. If not, then I will give them a ring on the telephone.

scoobster28 · Post by **scoobster28** » Tue May 04, 2004 7:04 am

I called Rickenbacker up and was told that the problem was only cosmetic and not functional. Thus, I don't have to worry about it breaking or otherwise damaging the guitar. They were extremely polite and though the representative didn't know himself what the answer was he went to ask someone else. I appreciate the time they took to answer my question.

adam_swapp · Post by **adam_swapp** » Tue May 04, 2004 7:31 am

Benjamin Maggi wrote : "I called Rickenbacker up and was told that the problem was only cosmetic and not functional."

How would they know that unless they look at the tailpiece in question? I would suspect that they are correct, but that's not a diagnosis that you can make with absolute certainty over the phone.

If cosmetic issues such as flaking plating are covered under the warranty (and I don't know that they are), you may want to consider getting it replaced. The cost of covering warranty repairs is built into the price of the guitar. Don't be shy about using it.

scoobster28 · Post by **scoobster28** » Tue May 04, 2004 11:33 am

I thought that they might have trouble diagnosing it as well over the phone, but I DID ask them if this had ever occured before or was usual and was told that it was not. I belive that. Frankly, I don't know what to do know because I don't want to send it to Rickenbacker only to be told it is cosmetic. I don't have a camera thus cannot take pictures of it. I guess if sometime it does break then I will just purchase a new one. If some have lasted 20 to 40 years with damage after being used constantly (like McGuinn's or Buck's) then surely mine should last five years. I mean, it is a Rickenbacker!

bruceglaser · Post by **bruceglaser** » Wed May 05, 2004 1:58 am

Chrome plating is a finish, not a structural material. It is plated over brass, which is plated over the base material. Neither plating material has any structural value at all. If there was a structural problem with the casting and the plating is coming off, I would think you would see that structural flaw. If the chrome plating is coming off in small pieces, that would most likely be a plating flaw only. If I saw that on my guitar, I would remove the tailpiece and check the rear of the part to make sure there was no obvious crack or void in the material at the place where the finish is coming off. If I saw no sign, I would not worry about part failure but would still want the part replaced under warrantee for cosmetic reasons.

kennyhowes · Post by **kennyhowes** » Wed May 05, 2004 3:33 pm

...and the finish is covered for one year from the date of manufacture.

http://www.rickenbacker.com/us/warranty.htm

adam_swapp · Post by **adam_swapp** » Wed May 05, 2004 7:29 pm

Is plating considered to be finish? I had always thought that "finish" was on the wood. OTOH, plating was part and parcel to the component. Or not.

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Wed May 05, 2004 8:10 pm

While it's not a stretch to classify chrome as a "finish", I believe that peeling chrome is a defect in the initial plating process and should be covered under warranty. The quality of RIC's chrome leads me to believe it is a triple plate method starting with copper, then nickel followed be chrome. I've had a lot of stuff professionally plated and when it peels it's the result of a less than perfect job (which my plater will re-do at no extra charge). Otherwise you can probably get it re-plated for around $25.00-$50.00 depending on where you go.

oreca · Post by **oreca** » Fri May 07, 2004 6:55 am

I've attached a picture of my 370, and I'm wondering if this is finish flaking...

rkbsound · Post by **rkbsound** » Sun May 09, 2004 9:41 am

The Rick tailpiece is the one part that I am least impressed with. It seems as this part could be "polished" up a bit before installed. By polished up, I mean that the entire part should be as perfect as the rest of the guitar.

That said, it looks really cool and is an important part of the Rick look and feel. I wouldn't replace mine for the world!

johnashfield · Post by **johnashfield** » Sun May 09, 2004 1:39 pm

I have noticed some "crack" looking lines on my "R" tailpiece right by where it hooks into the piece that is screwed into the guitar.

This is on my 360/12.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Should I just buy a new "R"?

Help!

scoobster28 · Post by **scoobster28** » Mon May 10, 2004 11:21 am

I think I will live with it until the finish peels some more than either have it replated or purchase a new one. Thanks all for your input, especially the PC response from Kenny. I understand your point, which was what I was trying to say with my first post. Oh well, maybe I need to purchase a new 350v63 and take the R form that and put it on my 360/12CW. Oh what will I do with the rest of it though?

scoobster28 · Post by **scoobster28** » Mon May 10, 2004 11:23 am

I think I will live with it until the finish peels some more than either have it replated or purchase a new one. Thanks all for your input, especially the PC response from Kenny. I understand your point, which was what I was trying to say with my first post. Oh well, maybe I need to purchase a new 350v63 and take the R form that and put it on my 360/12CW. Oh what will I do with the rest of it though?