Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

i noticed the paint cracking on the sides of the tailpease of my 06 4003 jg and while wiping it down yesterday a large paint flake came off. has this happened to anyone else ??

It there "lift" along the rear of the tailpiece (a gap)? If so, it's from stress on the paint where the tailpiece is deforming.

I think the warranty on the finish is only one year but I'd contact RIC customer service anyway and explain the situation.

Yes my 2007 had the same issue but Rick fixed it. I called Kenny, he checked to see if my warenty card was on file,It was,I explained the problem,he gave me a RA number,I shipped the bass ,they shipped it back,and its flawless!!! They have great customer service !!!call them
fenbass

there is some gap at the end of the tailpiece. i called customer service and was told "one year on the finish, no exceptions"

Guess if I have a similar problem on my C64 (note the little chip at the corner of the tailpiece in the second pic) and I didn't send in the warranty card (purchased Dec '07), I am SOL...?

I have never taken the tailpiece off to see what it's like underneath...

Kind of thinking of throwing a Hipshot (or newer-style tailpiece w/7 screws...not too worried about holes I can't see) on there to avoid the lift doing any more damage, but worried the finish imperfection would be more obvious...

The easy fix is a sharpie marker ...

Thought about that, seems pretty classy on a C64
I guess I'll take the tailpiece off next time I change strings to have a look...

Another option guys since these basses are in Geddy Glo I would think one of the Luthers here could fix that and it wouldnt be a total re fin. just a touch up fenbass

jeff, mine looks alot worse. i talked to a ric rep and was asked what strings i use. i use stainless steel because nickel raps flakes off in my fingers. anyway the rep said stainless steel strings have more tension causing the tail piece to lift causing down pressure on the front of the tail piece thus cracking the finish. I'm told the hipshot replacement is a wider and longer so it might cover up the damage. now.. if the stainles steel strings tension is great enough to pull up the tail piece, what harm is being done to the neck ???

jeff, mine looks alot worse. i talked to a ric rep and was asked what strings i use. i use stainless steel because nickel raps flakes off in my fingers. anyway the rep said stainless steel strings have more tension causing the tail piece to lift causing down pressure on the front of the tail piece thus cracking the finish. I'm told the hipshot replacement is a wider and longer so it might cover up the damage. now.. if the stainles steel strings tension is great enough to pull up the tail piece, what harm is being done to the neck ???

My 76 has the chips too, but I'm cheap and just use a sharpie.

HMMMM Ric asked me what strings I used on my 07 and I said they were factory its a new bass.
fenbass

anyway the rep said stainless steel strings have more tension causing the tail piece to lift causing down pressure on the front of the tail piece thus cracking the finish.

A couple questions.
Does that void the warranty? Do they state anywhere to not use Stainless strings?

don't most strings have stainless cores ??

fenbass wrote:I would think one of the Luthers here could fix that...

Any Luthers around here?