Mastery Bridge for Rickenbackers in the works

[DriftSpace]

There's a longer range, not yet fully fleshed out plan here to open a new metal shop portion of the factory, taking advantage of our now very experienced CAD and CNC staff. This would allow us to do more things in machined aluminum, steel, and brass. I believe this capability, combined with designs we've kicked around through the years, would pretty well allow us to dominate the add-on accessory market.

If there were a day in the future where I could get all aluminum black anodized parts for my 4003 ... I would be over the moon, Mr. Hall.

While you're at it: let's get the metal pick-guards back; if you're doing hardware on the CNC you might as well offer some aluminum, steel, and brass guards ... and TRCs.

[Grey]

I'd certainly be interested to see what Rickenbacker produces because I like the idea of getting aftermarket parts directly from the factory, but color me skeptical. Is this something we can realistically expect to see anytime soon or are we talking about 5 years from now.

[johnhall]

"Machined stainless steel" would sound even better!

That actually should have been the first material I mentioned, as that's a high priority material for us. It's always great whenever we can eliminate plating.

[sloop_john_b]

I'd certainly be interested to see what Rickenbacker produces because I like the idea of getting aftermarket parts directly from the factory, but color me skeptical. Is this something we can realistically expect to see anytime soon or are we talking about 5 years from now.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=173579&p=173974&hil ... ge#p173974

[cjj]

"Machined stainless steel" would sound even better!

That actually should have been the first material I mentioned, as that's a high priority material for us. It's always great whenever we can eliminate plating.

[johnhall]

I'd certainly be interested to see what Rickenbacker produces because I like the idea of getting aftermarket parts directly from the factory, but color me skeptical. Is this something we can realistically expect to see anytime soon or are we talking about 5 years from now.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=173579&p=173974&hil ... ge#p173974

As the original post said about the bridge, "MAYBE". In fact, these items are related. We've had multiple bridge designs completed but realistically didn't have CNC talent and equipment to do it in house when we got down to it. Since then, our capabilities in both professional personnel and equipment has expanded greatly.

[Grey]

As the original post said about the bridge, "MAYBE". In fact, these items are related. We've had multiple bridge designs completed but realistically didn't have CNC talent and equipment to do it in house when we got down to it. Since then, our capabilities in both professional personnel and equipment has expanded greatly.

Well, forgive me, but your post on the previous page sounded as equally indeterminate as the one from 6 years ago. I love these guitars and I love this company, but Mastery actaully has a product on the market.

I don't think it's fair to vaguely imply that you might be coming out with something better when there is no clear indication of when we can expect to see it available.

[electrofaro]

Well, forgive me, but your post on the previous page sounded as equally indeterminate as the one from 6 years ago. I love these guitars and I love this company, but Mastery actaully has a product on the market.

Which means they have a headstart, and Ric would have to come up with something better in order to make their design sell. Always good when multiple parties work on something similar, as it raises the bar!

[johnhall]

You few guys sure know how to take something positive, turn it into a negative, and then grind it to the ground. I guess instead of sharing the future and some of our thinking with members of the RRF, we'll just keep our mouths shut.

[Grey]

You few guys sure know how to take something positive, turn it into a negative, and then grind it to the ground. I guess instead of sharing the future and some of our thinking with members of the RRF, we'll just keep our mouths shut.

I don't think that's fair, John. I have been doing nothing but trying to stay positive about an interesting product from Mastery that aims to solve the concerns of many Rickenbacker users in the face of, in my opinion, baseless negativity. When a 3rd party claims to have something that improves a Rickenbacker design, it's met with immediate skepticisim and negativity. When Rickenbacker claims the same thing, people rush in to say how great of an idea it is.

[aceonbass]

Well at least I'm not the only one Erik heckles on this thread. John, just come out with a polished, machined stainless guitar bridge with SIX adjustable saddles and a locking base plate, and you'll be ahead of the competition. My "baseless negativity" is educated criticism Erik. How many Rick basses have you converted to five or eight strings, reworked and modded the tailpiece/bridge assemblies on, re-routed for different pickup locations, re-wired for multiple pickup and tone combinations, built wiring harnesses for (some with options RIC never produced, and three of which I have on my work bench right now)? I'm guessing none, so when I evaluate something on it's aesthetic or functional qualities within the sphere of guitars (in particular Rickenbacker) I do know what I'm talking about.

[Grey]

How many Rick basses have you converted to five or eight strings, reworked and modded the tailpiece/bridge assemblies on, re-routed for different pickup locations, re-wired for multiple pickup and tone combinations, built wiring harnesses for (some with options RIC never produced, and three of which I have on my work bench right now)? I'm guessing none, so when I evaluate something on it's aesthetic or engineering qualities within the sphere of guitars (in particular Rickenbacker) I do know what I'm talking about.

I haven't converted any Rickenbacker basses because I don't play bass and this isn't a bass bridge. I never called your general knowledge and skill into question. I'm sure you're a very talented individual and you were walking around on this Earth for 30 years before I was even alive. However, all due respect to your abilities, whatever "evaluation" you've given the bridge by looking at a photo does not supercede the actual experience I have with this product.

I didn't brag nor boast, I don't come here and comment on threads to give advice about guitars or equipment I don't own, I come here to offer a different perspective based on my personal experience.

[aceonbass]

Erik, it's because you're not a "techie" that you've missed the points made in my criticism of this product, and it took a lot more than seeing one picture to come up with my evaluation. Do you have a Mastery bridge on your Rick?

[Grey]

Erik, it's because you're not a "techie" that you've missed the points made in my criticism of this product, and it took a lot more than seeing one picture to come up with my evaluation. Do you have a Mastery bridge on your Rick?

Jazzmaster. I plan to buy one for my 480 based on my positive experience with the Offset version, and the only reason I haven't already is because it may or may not currently be in the hands of a certain luthier on the west coast.

[sloop_john_b]

I'm posting from my phone; can someone post the "Argument Clinic" clip? Thx.