Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Easy question: Could someone illuminate the differences between my '77 tailpiece and ones from the earlier part of the decade which I've only heard described as "solid"?

Here's a visual, which may help...
viewtopic.php?p=420159#p420159.

A big thing though is the metals used in the TPs.
The 60's and up to early 73 TPs are solid aluminum.
They are light and rigid, hence, they are not prone to lift
and have an airy ,springy, resonant tone.
From mid 73 on they have been made of Zinc. Up until
the late 90s(?) they were hollow on the underside with
strengthening ribs cast in as well as two screws just forward
of the string orifices. The Zinc, although heavier has less tensile
strength than the Aluminum and would bend.
In the early part of this century, the TPs were solid, in an effort
I guess to beef them up. STill, as they are made out of glop(no offense intended)
they lift too. They also sound a bit thicker as they are substantially heavier.

It's all subjective, but I prefer the tone of the Aluminum.

chefothefuture wrote:
It's all subjective, but I prefer the tone of the Aluminum.

Me too! That's why I use the Hipshot Alu drop in replacement!