Combo style string anchor vs tailpiece

Setup, repair and restoration of Rickenbacker Instruments

Moderator: jingle_jangle

Post Reply
User avatar
Dom
Member
Posts: 347
Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2009 11:22 am

Combo style string anchor vs tailpiece

Post by Dom »

Question for all you cresting wave fans out there. I’m contemplating using a combo bridgeplate on my horseshoe 350…according to lore the Combo 850 had a “bell” like tone. I’d like feedback on any tonal, sustain, chime, bell, ring, break angle or playability comparisons out there vs the traditional R or trapeze.

Cheers!
User avatar
doctorwho
Veteran RRF member
Posts: 12522
Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2002 3:28 pm

Re: Combo style string anchor vs tailpiece

Post by doctorwho »

Keep in mind that you may not get the same effect using that type of tailpiece with a set neck guitar as you would get with a neck-through one. My 460 (neck through) has that style of tailpiece and is very bright with a lot of sustain, but I wouldn't call its tone "bell-like".
460bridge.JPG
The 430 I had (bolt-on neck) had one but with the standard RIC bridge:
bridgecu.jpg
It is better, of course, to know useless things than to know nothing. - Seneca
User avatar
Dom
Member
Posts: 347
Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2009 11:22 am

Re: Combo style string anchor vs tailpiece

Post by Dom »

Hi Gary! That 430 is like what I’m considering. My thought is strings ring out more because there may be less energy lost with the strings anchored to the bridgeplate vs a floating tailpiece.
User avatar
doctorwho
Veteran RRF member
Posts: 12522
Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2002 3:28 pm

Re: Combo style string anchor vs tailpiece

Post by doctorwho »

I think that the theory is sound (no pun intended), I just don't have the experience of playing a set-neck instrument with that tailpiece.
It is better, of course, to know useless things than to know nothing. - Seneca
User avatar
jdogric12
Rick-a-holic
Posts: 10853
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2005 6:00 am

Re: Combo style string anchor vs tailpiece

Post by jdogric12 »

I would expect the old Combos to get a lot of any "bell like" tone from the differences in the body. Kind of wood, size, shape, any hollowings out or lack there of, thickness, etc. A 425/450/460 is good, but just can't hang when it comes to competing with a bigger hunk o wood.
User avatar
Dom
Member
Posts: 347
Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2009 11:22 am

Re: Combo style string anchor vs tailpiece

Post by Dom »

Good point Jason. Construction and mass are a big deal. The horseshoe is likely the biggest factor for that “ring”. My only experience with that style anchor was an Electro Es-16 I should’ve bought 20 years ago…instead of this busted Leslie. I figured if that combo anchor plate style made any significant difference that people would “chime” in. On tdpri if you ask anything about the sound contributions of tele bridges several opposing bridge cults reply…then you sort through the madness. :lol:
Post Reply

Return to “"Vibrola" Rickenbacker Technical Forum: By Paul Wilczynski”