Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Just got my 360/12c63 the other day - great guitar, but the bridge cover rattles like crazy. I tried tightening it, but the screws never get tight. Is there a way to solve this problem, short of removing it? I was thinking of using washers, if I can find some small enough.

I'm sure this has been discussed before - I did a search, but didn't come up with anything.

Thanks,

Brad

What year is it? Do the treads seem good? Maybe the screws are not threaded all the way. I have had 7 Ricks and never had the problem.

Brad, either the screws or the bridge itself has stripped threads. These threads are very fine (either 3-48 or 4-40, depending on guitar and vintage). On yours it should be 4-40.

Inspect the screws. If the threads are whole, then it's the bridge that's stripped. Either replace the screws (if they are stripped) or the bridge (if it's the faulty part). You could also tap the screw holes in the bridge the next size larger (6-32) and use different screws. This will mean that the bridge cover holes will have to be drilled out, too, though.

If the screws won't tighten, a washer will probably not solve anything.

If all the above sounds like a hassle, why not just leave the cover off for now?

It's brand new, manufacture date is 01/07.

So, are they 3-48 or 4-40?

The threads look good, they just won't tighten. I think I'll try re-threading the screw holes in the bridge and see what that gets me.

I will probably have to tap the screw holes one size larger.

Perhaps going to a larger diameter thread might be the easiest way to go as a first try, Brad. Why not contact customer service? This sounds like an easy problem to solve.

I'm going to call customer service and see what their suggestions are.

Thanks for the ideas.

That's the last thing I would do. These are the kind of things we owners need to be able to fix. If you get a used item you never know whats been done and trying to explain that wont be easy with out being able to see it.

Eric: I agree it is important to be self-reliant.

Regardless where end up as a final destination, however, my experience has been that it seldom hurts to ask for directions along the way.

As some very able persons have reminded me, if you think consulting a professional is expensive, try consulting an amateur.

Yes, indeedy.

Brad, you say the threads are good...I assume you mean on both the bridge and screws.

Then the screws are the wrong size; too small. (They're 4-40, by the way...) RIC customer service should be able to send you the right ones...seems like maybe they got a few of the wrong size mixed into the bin with the ones of the correct size.

These are not easy to find. They're 4-40 X 1/8" Phillips pan head machine screws, in stainless. McMaster-Carr has 'em, but only in quantities of 100 or more.

So being self-reliant in this case would mean you had lots of extra bridge cover screws, which are used nowhere else on a Rick.

A general question to Forumites related to this thread --- Do most of you keep the Rick Bridge cover on - or do you remove them for easy palm muting and ease of wiping down the Bridge after playing, etc. ? Curious to know what most of you prefer..... Regards Rich F.

I generally kept mine on, just to complete the look on my 360/12 and the 325v63 i had a few years ago, but the cover gets in my way when I'm doing leads on my 330.

I leave my cover on Rich,

I palm mute ahead of the bridge. It takes a bit of practise at first but it's second nature for me now.

I'm with Brian on this - cover on, palm mute ahead of the bridge ... "tie on bed, rope out window".

Related to a different thread re fingerstyle-I LOVE the bridge cover as a convenient and well placed rest for the lower left part of my palm. This cover is quickly becoming an integral part of how I use my right hand in playing my 360.

Richard,

I had asked the very same ? regarding the bridge cover before, either in this forum or the official RIC forum, and nearly everyone's advise was the same as here: leave the cover on. Since I have 3 other nonRic instruments that do not have covers, I thought I would try keeping it on. I'm glad I did I admit, it was a little awkward at first, but the more I played with the cover on, the more it grew on me.