Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Just saw this at the RIC online bougtique site. RIC is clearing the 4001C64 tailpeiece for $100:

http://boutique.rickenbacker.com/TAILPI ... p_764.html

In case anyone is interested.

They dont sell direct to UK.
By the time I order through Rosetti or someone it would be sold out.

THey might not be. They're still selling them. Said that they've sat so long that some may have blemishes on them, which is why they are offering the discount...hmmmmm.

Is it a C64 because of the notch? Does it serve a purpose? Thanks!

BigJohnAZ wrote:Is it a C64 because of the notch? Does it serve a purpose? Thanks!

The notched RI tailpiece started with the 4001V63, but the C64 giveaway is that it is a three screw tailpiece as opposed to the 5 screw one for the V63. The purpose of the notch is to look correct for a '60s vintage tailpiece (although, there are some other slight differences between the two, besides that).

Snagged one.

Are they Zinc or Aluminum ??

The C64 tailpieces are die-cast zinc, just like all current 4003 tailpieces. I really wish RIC would cast these in aluminum again, but the casting would need to be beefier in the rear like the original cast ones were. By the way Jim, the aluminum tailpieces also had a narrower bridge. The zinc ones had a bridge that was wider, allowing more string travel. The aluminum ones can be routed to accept the newer zinc bridges though, which is what I've done to the one that I have.

aceonbass wrote:The C64 tailpieces are die-cast zinc, just like all current 4003 tailpieces. I really wish RIC would cast these in aluminum again, but the castig would need to be beefier in the rear like the original cast ones were. By the way Jim, the aluminum tailpieces also had a narrower bridge. The zinc ones had a bridge that was wider, allowing more string travel. The aluminum ones can be routed to accept the newer zinc bridges though, which is what I've done to the one that I have.

As always Dane, appreciate the information,many thanks.

BTW, the new vintage harness sounds wonderful

Hmm, I guess this means that there are no more vintage models on the horizon?

Or just maybe....RIC will reintroduce a vintage tailpiece cast in aluminum?!

Well it could be but dont hold your breath.
My suggestion ages ago was for a brand new aluminium unit as per the original but with the design allowing us to fit it to present models
and for the poor souls with vintage equipment thats damaged or butchered to be able to fit the new version to their old basses with minimum surgery.

The bee I have in my bonnet is that six string guitarists (Les Paul,Telecaster,Strat etc.) can happily state that brass,aluminium,steel and so on bridge parts can affect their blues,jazz soul and rock tones, but we humble bass guitarist who know how much the old aluminium parts on Rickenbackers alter the tones between vintage and new basses are told that it doesnt.

Come on Rickenbacker lets do some tone work!

pag wrote:Well it could be but dont hold your breath.
My suggestion ages ago was for a brand new aluminium unit as per the original but with the design allowing us to fit it to present models
and for the poor souls with vintage equipment thats damaged or butchered to be able to fit the new version to their old basses with minimum surgery.

The bee I have in my bonnet is that six string guitarists (Les Paul,Telecaster,Strat etc.) can happily state that brass,aluminium,steel and so on bridge parts can affect their blues,jazz soul and rock tones, but we humble bass guitarist who know how much the old aluminium parts on Rickenbackers alter the tones between vintage and new basses are told that it doesnt.

Come on Rickenbacker lets do some tone work!

On that subject, I'd really like to see a factory brass tailpiece option.