VIntage R problem

[bubbasweet]

I got my guitar back from the Luthier today and he did an amazing job. Paul Iverson from North Vancouver. What an amazing tech. When I got it I realized I guess on the E position on the R the spacer either broke off or is missing. I did not notice this in the photos when I purchased it. Anything I could try like putting a spacer in under and between the strings? Other than looks it really does not seem to effect anything. I just don;t like the look of the 2 E strings touching at the R.

Suggestions. I have a resissue R anyway but I like the vintage one. Is this common?

THX

[bubbasweet]

Oh and yes I am left..

[beatlefreak]

Are you certain the string guide edge is either broken or missing? Is it possible that when restringing the guitar the string got misplaced?

[bubbasweet]

I will look but it looks like it is not there.

[bubbasweet]

Now that i look at the photos when I originally got it before I flipped it over left I can see the 2 high E strings were extremely close together. I think this part was broken when I purchased it. I do have a reissue. Can I use this with the vitnage bracket? They seem interchangeable.??

[collin]

Can I use this with the vitnage bracket? They seem interchangeable.??

Yeah, that bracket should hold either variety fine.

The only hard part is fitting a vintage bracket on a modern Ric, or vice versa.

[bubbasweet]

Anyone know if could have someone spot weld a little chunk of steel underneath the 60's R for a seperator. Without effecting the chrome on top? Anyone knwo someone who specializes in this? I am worried the 2 strings I wedged in there are going so slip out and damage the guitar.

[collin]

AFAIK, you can't weld to zinc, which John Hall has told the the R tailpieces are made of.

[kiramdear]

If it was mine and I was worried about it I would do a trade-back with the factory. I wouldn't try to repair it, especially by welding.

[cjj]

AFAIK, you can't weld to zinc, which John Hall has told the the R tailpieces are made of.

While it is possible to weld zinc, it takes specialized equipment and skill. It's not your usual steel based welding process. Even if you found someone who could weld it, the heat involved would likely mess up the chrome plating. You can always get it replated, but it not be worth the cost to fix it...

[bubbasweet]

Yup it's broken.

[collin]

If it was mine and I was worried about it I would do a trade-back with the factory.

No way, Jose!

The factory might do a trade-back, but he'd already have to pay $100 to swap em out, and the factory would give him a Reissue tailpiece----an entirely different (and weaker, IMO) tailpiece than the vintage style.


Brian---google will be your friend on this one. If it bothers you enough, search out a zinc welder. (Thanks for the tip, CJ!)

[jdogric12]

I think some chewing gum should do just fine. Half kidding, half serious.

[cjj]

Well, you could always try some epoxy such as JB Weld. It might be strong enough to hold and if not, you won't really damage the tailpiece any more than it is now...

[bubbasweet]

I might try making a little bracket that fits into that opening. with grooves on each side. Then when the strings pill tight it is kind of trapped in there. I do want to keep the 60's part. I put the reissue part on and the strings come off the R at a different angle now so the vintage and reissue R's are spaced different. My strings come to the bridge slightly on an angle/crooked now. Not sure if this matters. It was set up with the 60's R unfortunatly and I did not know this part had this problem as it was a new purchase.