Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'm sure this has been discussed here many times, but I'm too lazy to sift through search results tonight. I'm interested in putting an accent vibrato on a 330, and having never used one, I'm wondering how functional they are. I'm sure they're better than the Kauffman Vibrola, but how much better? Do they hold tune well? Will I have to modify the guitar at all? Do they compare at all to a Bigsby, as far as tuning stability and sturdiness? Let me know what you think.

I've never had any issues whatsoever with the Accent. It doesn't have the range of something like a Bigsby, but does provide some very nice shimmer.

An Accent is pretty comparable to a Bigsby IMHO. I use them both, feel equally comfortable using both, and am quite happy with the effects of the Accent.

IMO the Accent has more range than at least a BIgsby B7, which is one i've had a lot of experience with.

As long as you put the strings on right and stretch 'em good, you should have no trouble with tuning. No modification required.

Well, you've all convinced me. Now, to find one. Anyone have a lead on one, or have one laying around that they'd sell me? I know Ric doesn't have any in stock, and neither do Mike Parks or Chris Clayton.

I add extra spacers to my Bigsby springs to give them more range

That being said, the Accent is quite impressive in what it's cabable of doing, and all the more so given its simplicity; one leaf spring, and no drilling of holes needed to install the unit. The Accent stays in tune fantastically well, has a nice range of pitch, and I don't baby the unit when I use it! Further, changing strings couldn't be simpler, whether its changing a single string, or changing all of the strings(I still do this one at a time). It's easier to change strings on an Accent vibrato than on either an "R" tailpiece or on a Bigsby whammy! The Accent has true drop in string loading!

As an aside, I wish someone would have designed the "R" tailpiece with slots on the top side rather than the bottom side, and fitted with a snap on chrome cover; it would be cosmetically indistinguishable from the exisitng "R" tailpiece, though I must confess that I've restrung my 12 so many times that even restringing an "R" tailpiece is second nature. I suppose my using a capo greatly eases the job!

Fuller's Vintage Guitars in Houston had a couple of Accent Vibrolas in stock a few weeks ago. They also had some scatterwound toasters,too.

paologregorio wrote: As an aside, I wish someone would have designed the "R" tailpiece with slots on the top side rather than the bottom side, and fitted with a snap on chrome cover; it would be cosmetically indistinguishable from the exisitng "R" tailpiece, though I must confess that I've restrung my 12 so many times that even restringing an "R" tailpiece is second nature. I suppose my using a capo greatly eases the job!

A good idea, and I do wish the tails were redesigned, but then we'd be inundated with the "HOW DO I GET A REPLACEMENT COVER" threads!

mike_d wrote:Fuller's Vintage Guitars in Houston had a couple of Accent Vibrolas in stock a few weeks ago. They also had some scatterwound toasters,too.

Thanks, Mike. I'll give them a call tomorrow morning.

In my experience the Accent is OK but the Bigsby is in another class.

Another thing. If you plan on actually using the Accent arm on it and do not remove it, get a plastic toggle switch tip to put on the end of the arm. The screw easily works loose and you will puncture yourself with it from time to time. I removed the arms from both of my Rics that have them.

Thanks for the lead, Mike. Fuller's does currently have 1 accent in stock, for those interested. But, I'm gonna get my vibrato fix with a Gretsch that will be heading my way (G6119-1962HT). Maybe in the future when accents are more readily available I will try one, but I think the Gretsch will do for now.

brianeharmonjr wrote:Thanks for the lead, Mike. Fuller's does currently have 1 accent in stock, for those interested. But, I'm gonna get my vibrato fix with a Gretsch that will be heading my way (G6119-1962HT). Maybe in the future when accents are more readily available I will try one, but I think the Gretsch will do for now.

Yeah, Brian I've got one of those and through an AC-30...you're gonna love it!

brianeharmonjr wrote:Thanks for the lead, Mike. Fuller's does currently have 1 accent in stock, for those interested. But, I'm gonna get my vibrato fix with a Gretsch that will be heading my way (G6119-1962HT). Maybe in the future when accents are more readily available I will try one, but I think the Gretsch will do for now.

Hey, I think you'll like the bigsby much more than the Accent. Completely different animals. Glad you found a Gretsch,too. I think we discussed a swap a few weeks ago for Tenny and Ric 330/12. I finally did find the Ric and decided to hang on to the Tenny,too.

Anyone know of someone putting an Accent on a 325c58? I've been looking around but haven't found anything.