Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'd long heard and read of the horrors of the black hardware. Now, I can not so proudly say I am a part of it. Pulled out my 12 and bingo...busted black tailpiece. Well, it held up for 15 years.
Now, what to do? Go with a powder coated piece? Change everything (Oy!!)?
What a bummer.

Go with a powder-coated piece.

You know, you can powder-coat stuff yourself. There are DIY kits available from about $100.00. These bake in your kitchen oven. I have never done this, so I can't answer detailed questions, but a friend turned me onto this and he's happy with the results.

Here's only one:

http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/gallery.html

Powder-coating is relatively affordable to do if you take it into a commercial service, too. Google yourself up a batch.

Thanks, PW. I would prefer to keep it, as is. I guess I send in the busted tailpiece to RIC?

Added question. How to retain the tension for the time being? Or not.

Send the broken one into Kenny. Call him first, though, for an RA number. Just leave your guitar as is until the new one arrives.

buzfluhart wrote:I'd long heard and read of the horrors of the black hardware.

Is there something special about the black hardware that makes them prone to breaking?

There's a theory that the powder coating process weakens the material.

Yep, it has to do with former powder coating method that was used. RIC no longer makes the black hardware, for this reason, and likely others.

It can happen to the chrome pieces as well; there was an issue with some of the 12 string tailpieces for a bit. The new pieces are supposed to have addressed this. My `91 381/12 tailpiece broke in `03 or `04, so it lasted about the same length of time that yours did. The new one appears to be just fine. Check back with me in another ten-twelve years.

My tailpiece broke in the exact same spot.

There is an alternative to black powder coating that's not quite as durable, but not bad and doesn't require heating the tailpiece. You can use a twopart commercial matte-black epoxy finish, but you need to bead-blast the tailpiece to etch the chrome plating and help adhesion of the paint.

If you're interested, let me know and I'll give you some refs, Stan.

Will do, once I have an answer on the other possibility. Thanks. Paul.

My... that IS bad luck, Stan. I hope it works out well in the end for you no matter which way you go about it.

Thanks to POTR the problem should be resolved without me getting my hands dirty. I should be looking at new black R in a few weeks.

Chalk up another one for Chris at Pick Of The Ricks! All's well that ends well.