Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Last night I took my 360V64 round to a friends to show off, generally have a bit of an experimental session and to "throw it around" a bit. This was the first Ric I bought and I've only had it a few months so I've had kid gloves on with it so far but I kind of went for it last night....

Anyway, it sounded fantastic and said friend was suitably impressed. As I was smuggly placing the guitar back in the case I noticed one of the four bridge screws was missing. Horrified, I spent the next 30 minutes on my hands and knees with my face pressed to the floor trying to locate the damn thing. Thankfully I found it and another ten minutes later I found the spring too. This has got me worried though. Had it happened in a gig or if I hadn't noticed at the time, there's no way I'd have found it.

Has this happenend to anyone else? Had I played for longer would the whole bloody bridge have flopped off?!??!?! Should I just stand still like George Harrison in future???

I checked to see if there were earlier threads about this and I found the one about loose screws that were causing the bridge to slip down and the loc-tite suggestions but no one appears to have experienced them falling completely out so I thought I'd ask.

Rob: This has not been reported here as a significant problem. But, if you are going to be playing like Pete Townshend the I guess you can expect this sort of thing. Just kidding.

I routinely make sure that the screws are adjusted to the same height and that one of them is not loose. You can also purchase a couple of extra screws to have just in case.

Thanks Peter. Any tips on where I can but those screws? Should I contact RIC or try my luck on ebay?

I would start here. Of course, once you get a handful of these springs and screws you will never lose another.

Thanks Pete!

Is there ANYTHING this site can't help with?!?!?!

Your're most welcome Robert.

Regarding our ability to overcome obstacles, whether you think you can or you can't, you're right!

I don't think it is a general problem Rob. I am a pretty aggressive player, but I have not had this problem with any of my gtrs, other than once. That was because the bridge was not adjusted properly & had a 'tilt' on it & one of the screws used to undo. The bridge was set up properly & it doesn't happen any more.

Exactly right Tony.

Robert: When you lose a part just get Tony to send you one. Another resource in the UK.

I would still like to know from both of you what your best price on a Celestion Blue is in the UK? After all, they are made there.

I don't know if it's a 'best' price or not Peter, but you would expect to pay around the £200 for one. Pretty hefty, but with a bit of luck, you only have to buy it once!

Sorry Peter - I forgot that you'd asked about that. I think I have a knack for getting ripped off or something because the ones I've seen have been about £250!

I reckon my bridge screw problem might just be teething troubles. Now that I know to look out for it I'll ensure the bridge is set up correctly and there's no loose screws.

Or maybe I should just calm down....I'll sign in tomorrow asking what to do when the neck falls off!

Thanks Tony and Robert. There is certainly a wide range of prices around the globe on the Celestion Blues.

Check out the last review here! Similar problem and no quality guys at ricsRus to help....


http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data4/Rickenbacker/381_V69-01.html

Rob, that last review is a sort of sore spot. He's been on about this to anybody who will listen, and has raised a stink and tried to do a lot of damage in public forums.

BTW, the first review on the same page is my own of my lovely 381V69, written the week I got it.

Those screws can be replaced in a pinch with standard hardware store items. The size and description is 4-40 X 1/2" socket head Allen cap screw.

The difference between hardware store and RIC ones is that the RIC ones are nickel plated or stainless steel; standard finish on these types of screws from the hardware store is black oxide..

Stainless steel ones are available from McMaster Carr; their part # is 92196A110 and they're $4.63 per box of 100. That should cover losses in perpetuity. Use Loctite in the future.

Oh, forgot about lost spring: A ballpoint pen spring will work in a gig-pinch. Cut it down to about 1/3 its length with a pair of nail clippers. McMaster-Carr lists nothing that will fit, surprisingly!

Ouch.

In that case, I'd like to take this opportunity to apologise and thank everyone for their advice and help. Particularly the guys at ricsRus and you too Paul - you're review was one of the factors in me writing a certain cheque a few weeks back!

Loctite and a bottle of tact pills on order.