Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi

Does anyone have an old tailpiece that they are prepared to part with, that has the open mute section (i.e no "teeth" between the strings) that RIC used to use on their 4003s/5 and 4003s/8 basses - ideally black?

Ash

I have a nice new take off from a 4003 that I can modify to your specs, but it is the usual chrome. The factory black TP's were often very "orange peely" though.

Now you're just showing off John!

Dane - I really wanted an original black 4008-style tailpiece, as this was what was on my 4003s/8 when I bought it, and although it's not prototypical for the s/8, mine may be a "transitional" instrument as it was manufactured in May 1986 when they were just being introduced to replace the old 4008 model. Unfortunately, I had to replace the tailpiece as it was badly out of shape with a sunken top, leaving a much narrower than usual gap between it and the end of the body. This meant that changing the strings would inevitably damage the body finish as there was insufficient room to remove them without pliers!

John - If what you have beneath those wrappings is indeed an older, black version of the eight-string tailpiece (like the one on the minty blue five-stringer currently on eBay), then I'm interested if you're selling!

Ash