Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I love my accent vibratos, but as a little bit of an aggressive player, my bottom E string has to be sunk into the bridge saddle a little, to stop it jumping out of its slot. This can lead to return to pitch problems when using the VB.
I understand that there is a roller bridge available for 330/360's & wondered if anyone had a photo of one & any ideas on where to get one?

Does the ABM roller bridge fit the 300 series? I'm actually not aware of any roller bridge that's suitable for these guitars. I've only eyeballed the ABM bridge. I note that string spacing on these bridges is *not* adjustable.

Here's a link. Scroll down to part number GB_0545-010.

http://www.allparts.com/categories.php?cat_id=414&cat_name=TUNEMATICS

Tony: The only roller bridge I've ever seen for a Rick is the original one on my '66 335 FG. It's got tiny rollers and I suspect that the rollers reduce sustain while increasing bridge rattles. I'll leave it on for originality, but if I was interested in making this guitar sound better, I'd swap it out in a second.

Tony: Another possible fix for this would be to replace the RIC saddles or saddle with a nylon or graphtech replacement. This would reduce friction even with a deeper notch in the saddle.

The Bigsby B5 would also exert more downward pressure due to the steeper string angle from the roller, but I wager a fair bit that you won't be going that route.

Then again you could start to chill out. Would this be stupidly cool?

It is possible to make roller bridge saddles for a Rick bridge, but this is a bit beyond those without a machine shop. I do have drawings on these parts, though. Total parts cost is about 50 cents.

Thanks for all your input chaps. It looks like I was thinking of the original bridge, as per Randys post. My 230 has roller type saddles & I was thinking that the idea might work with an accent on the 300 series.

You're right Peter...I wont be going the Bigsby route, but your graphite idea is well worth investigating. I'll let you know how I get on.

How do you fancy making some saddles Paul?

I'll be making another set in the next two or three weeks, and I'll post a "how to" photo series.

Anyone who knows a machinist or who has access to a vertical mill, can make up a set in an hour or two, once they've seen the photos.