Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Has anyone ever converted a post-split-tailpiece bridge for use with a split tailpiece? The cutout for the bridge is a slightly different shape in the split tail than in the later tailpiece.

I know there are a few of us out there with split tailpieces but no bridge to fit them, so I think there'd be a lot of interest in this sort of project.

I have a bridge that will fit ... the 4001/4003 bridge will fit a v63 or c64 tailpiece ...

Jeff, if you have a pre-1973 style bridge that'll fit into a split tailpiece, and you're willing to part with it, please drop me a PM.

I take it the v63 and c64 tailpieces take the modern bridge?

will someone please show me the difference between a split and non split?

Check out the pic I attached -- this is my split tailpiece (never mind the extra holes that are drilled -- that's not normal). See how the middle ridge in the front of the tailpiece has a gap in it? That's the split. They discontinued this kind of tailpiece sometime early in '73. They're much more massive than the later tailpieces.

oh ok. cool.

I bought a split TP from Dane last year. He had modified it to fit a modern
bridge.
The modern bridges are longer to allow better intonation.
One would have to mill out the channel in the old TP to do this.
Dane had it rechromed after words...

The BIG difference between the two TPs is that one is cast aluminium,
where the later ones are Die Cast Zinc.

The bridge on mty 68 4001 was pretty much identical to my 4003 basses ... the only difference is the old ones had nice shinny saddles and the new ones have duller saddles ...

It was my understanding that a newer 4001/4003 bridge did not fit a split tailpiece.....

ben_brown wrote:It was my understanding that a newer 4001/4003 bridge did not fit a split tailpiece.....

This is true ... hence my question if anyone has modified a newer bridge to fit the older tailpiece.

Yes.

chefothefuture wrote:Yes.

OK ... while technically I did not specify this, I would be interested in hearing a bit about the process and how difficult and/or costly it was.

A couple of pics. Old cast tailpiece; non-split vintage tailpiece; modern 4000 series tailpiece.

I'm just being a smart a**.
I bought it from Dane (Wilder?)on ebay.
He'd know, but I can't remember what his
forum ID is(was?).
It did require machining and re-chroming....

I tried to make a modern bridge fit the old tailpiece but I ended up with a chopped up piece of junk.
It won't fit because the newer version is wider and can't be filed or trimmed because the walls are too thin.
I ended up making a bridge to fit the pre 73 because I just couldn't get one and instead of chopping an old TP.
Then when I bought a 72 I had the opportunity to swap out the bridges so my 64 could have the original but I decided against it.
The one I made is a better fit, is lower profile and has further intonation adjustment. And even the best expert would be hard pressed to spot it.
I think I'd better make a drawing and post picks like I've promised to do several times....
It used the modern saddles and height adjustment screws from the newer ones.