Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone has installed a vibrato onto a 360 and has pictures of it. Is it a drop in replacement or does it involve some surgery? And finally does it affect intonation/tuning at all? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Joe

If you put on the Bigsby, you might want to replace the bridge with the roller saddle type.
The intonation won't be affected, but you will experience tuning problems until you get it set up properly. Alot depends on how much you use it to lower the string tension, sometimes you have to be subtle with the vibrato. You may also need to change the top nut or use mylar tape or graphite in the notches. In my experience they work best when you don't get real radical with them. It's a simple replacement unless you're thinking of the locking trem/nut type, they require major work to be installed. Use the Rick Vibrato or the Bigsby, you can't go wrong.

Hi Joe. Installing an accent on a 360 or 330 is simply a matter of taking the R tailpiece off & attaching the accent with the strap bolt....that easy. The accent covers the holes of an R tailpiece, but not a trapeze. I have added an accent to my '80 330 & have no tuning problems, but my vibrato needs are very slight! I love it & intend to add another accent to another of my 330's.

The only mod I have to make is to bend the arm out slightly, as it is a little low.

Very nice Tony. Couple of questions.

1. Is the arm in the way when you put it in its case?

2. Does the arm loosen after using it a few times and/or changing its position?

Thanks.

I take the arm off to put it in it's case...which is very easy to do (but I also replace the washer & screw, so as not to lose them!)
Because of the washer design, the arm has never loosened even a little with use. A friend of mine has a Gretsch with a Bigsby that is a pig for loosening! No problem with an accent though....

Tony: A great subject for a painting.
"High Gains At Noon"

Good one Peter, I haven't painted any hi-gains yet....next on the list.
I am gigging four times a week at the moment & have enough studio work to keep every single day occupied untill November, so I am not sure when I'll be painting next...

Tony and Dale,

Thanks for the input and Tony thanks for the pic. It's exactly what I was looking for. In all honesty I'm not going to be divebombing with the vibrato. In fact it's mainly an aesthetic thing--it just looks cool. Here's another question: If the vibrato arm is off, how does it effect the stability of the tail piece, if at all? Also, is re-stringing on the fly easier or harder than on a standard R-tailpiece? Sorry for all the questions and thanks in advance for all your help.

Joe

P.S. Anybody have any Bigsby pics?

Joe, if you don't use the arm, the stability of the tailpiece seems to be the same as an R or trapeze.
When the strings are tensioned, there is a gap that you can slide the strings along & in to position. The bass strings, being bigger, are a problem on mine though. In fairness, it will be more awkward to string on the fly than either an R or a trapeze.

Joe: maybe you haven't seen this one. (Those of you who have, just avert your eyes.)

It's my Montezuma Brown 381V69 with a Kaufmann (thanks, Stan!). I decided to use a vintage vibrato for a vintage, er, vibe. (Sorry). It's just for looks, though--it's pinned.

Paul,

What a great looking guitar. A Monty brown 381 is the dream guitar of mine. However, by the time I actually find one and have enough expendable income to buy it, god knows how much they'll be trading hands for! I have a MB 360, though, so I suppose I should just be happy.

Thanks, Joe. Although FG, MG, and JG are considered to be "the" Rickenbacker classic colors, MB looks soooo vintage to me, and I really love the old Ricks.

Paul - Post #2500, and that was IT???

I forgot...well, #3000 oughta be here in a couple of months...