Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

heinpete wrote:

ken_j wrote:There's a sand cast bridge and tailpiece currently for sale in the Marketplace.

...gone for 500$!!!

Two have recently sold for that.....

As it turns out, I will have an original aluminum tailpiece, so at least that is covered. I will want it re-chromed. I know a few shops...one in LA and one back in Pennsylvania that I feel I can trust. Does anyone have another suggestion? Someplace they had there done and feel it was top notch?

I have used West Coast Chrome in Modesto and been
happy with the work.

chefothefuture wrote:

heinpete wrote:

ken_j wrote:There's a sand cast bridge and tailpiece currently for sale in the Marketplace.

...gone for 500$!!!

Two have recently sold for that.....

Wow, the economy is doing extremely well over there!?

Just jumping in on the thread.............what is it that actually causes the tail-lift issue, is it the bridge actually bending due it not being robust enough, or is it possibly the screws pulling out due to excessive tension of the strings?

Baker69 wrote:Just jumping in on the thread.............what is it that actually causes the tail-lift issue, is it the bridge actually bending due it not being robust enough, or is it possibly the screws pulling out due to excessive tension of the strings?

The issue is the Tailpiece bending over time as the Zinc Diecast metal although less brittle than cast aluminium seems to be somewhat ductile....

Eden.

Thanks for that Eden.

I have slight tail-lift on my '78 4001. I assume that unless it is excessive it shouldn't be a problem?

Baker69 wrote:Thanks for that Eden.

I have slight tail-lift on my '78 4001. I assume that unless it is excessive it shouldn't be a problem?

Correct!

Eden.

weemac wrote:

Baker69 wrote:Just jumping in on the thread.............what is it that actually causes the tail-lift issue, is it the bridge actually bending due it not being robust enough, or is it possibly the screws pulling out due to excessive tension of the strings?

The issue is the Tailpiece bending over time as the Zinc Diecast metal although less brittle than cast aluminium seems to be somewhat ductile....

Eden.

Let me add this tailpiece lifting is exacerbated by the rout for the 3 screws under the bridge being deeper than needed and if the 3 screws are heavily tightened it predisposes the tailpiece to lift. Many have put flat washers between the bottom of the tailpiece and maple. A few have made a maple plug to fill the gap.

Hear Hear!
Adding washers or a shim to the underside of the tailpiece is the single best thing you can do to prevent the dreaded lift..
I try to get mine so that I can get a slim feeler gauge under the front of the tailpiece (the mute area). This ensures that the tailpiece is set well to the body of the bass....

Eden.