Tail Lift - Black Finish Tailpiece - 1989 Blackstar

[cjj]

The extra screws should do the job, especially if you snug them down over several days. That will be about the same as slowly clamping and tightening.

Of course, originality goes out the window with the extra screws...

[sloop_john_b]

Ash, I think that amount of tail lift is well within the realm of "normal" for a Rickenbacker bass. It's rare to see Chrome plated ones (i.e., not black ones) lift any further than that.

I would absolutely not touch it.

[Ashgray]

Hmmm... I hear what you're saying guys.

It's just that I get a little twitchy about such problems getting any worse. I suppose I could replace the tailpiece with a new one for peace of mind (it's a working bass) but retain the original part anyway.

Ash

[heinpete]

...before drilling any holes I suggest to try the "washer method"! Check the forum for that. If no success, sell ist to me.

[sloop_john_b]

Hmmm... I hear what you're saying guys.

It's just that I get a little twitchy about such problems getting any worse. I suppose I could replace the tailpiece with a new one for peace of mind (it's a working bass) but retain the original part anyway.

Ash

For a little peace of mind, look through the register for pics of basses from the same year as yours -- I bet you won't see tail lift any worse than this (or by a tiny amount if at all).

[Redstrand]

So should the bridge be flush with the body? Mine is about 3-4 mm off the body at the rear.

[jps]

Sometimes, the top surface of the body may not be absolutely flat giving the impression of tail lift. My former '98 4001V63 looked like it had a tad bit of tail lift but when I placed a straight edge along side the tailpiece I saw that the body started slanting slightly towards the edge, probably during final sanding before the finish was applied. Didn't bother me a bit, these are very much handcrafted instruments, after all.

[Redstrand]

I put a straight edge on both sides of the bridge, body is flat. Bridge isn't flush. I guess I'll keep an eye on it. I'll post a pic in the morning.

[jps]

What is the tension of those Roto strings?

[Redstrand]

I have TI Flats on it, pretty low tension.

[Ashgray]

What is the tension of those Roto strings?

They're swing bass, 40 -100 gauge - not sure of the actual tension these produce but the tailpiece should be able to cope. I'm about to put some extra light gauge Elixirs on to reduce stress and see how they sound.

Ash

[Redstrand]

Pardon the mess, here are pics of mine.

[Redstrand]

Is that too much lift?

[johnallg]

I think it is, but others may not.

I would flatten it back like Gary did and then search for +washers +taillift and use them to help prevent it from happening again. You wouldn't need the two extra screws.