Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I took my '80 460 apart today for it's first thorough cleaning in nearly 20 years. While it was apart, I notice that the base plate of the bridge has the same 4 small indentations that other Rick base plates have. Is it possible to put an adustable Rick bridge on in place of the stock one? Has anyone here ever done that?

Yes, but you may have to cut the pickguard a bit so that the bridge will fit. You can always get an extra guard made for this purpose.

Also, the addition of a bridge cover on the new style bridge cleans up the look.

Peter wrote:

... cleans up the look.

I find the "look" of my 1982 460 BG to be just fine and aesthetically pleasing:



"Beauty is in the eye if the beholder", I guess!

Thanks guys. I never liked the protruding allen screws. They really get in the way of palm muting, ouch! I suppose I could cut them down or replace them with shorter screws. Intonation is an issue too. The precompensated bridge is close but not perfect. My concern is with the width of the adjustable bridge and whether the string angle to the tail piece would become too severe. I agree Gary, the stock piece looks nice. My beef is with the way it works.

You guys are killin' me. Remember this 460? I had a chance to pick that one up on the cheap from the guy the won the auction, and I didn't pull the trigger fast enough. That would have been a neat project.

Ted,

I wouldn't think the angle itself would be a problem from a functional perspective, but you might find that the strings won't clear the back rail of the bridge. If that's the case, you can probably just file notches in the rear bridge rail.

Yikes, a hacked '66 with more switches and knobs than NASA! It does have nice inlays and a pretty fingerboard though.


Yes, I am wondering if it will clear the rear edge of the bridge. I think I will borrow the bridge from my 4080 and give it a try. If it works, I can probably find an adjustable bridge on Ebay.

Yed, I think I still have a spare 6-string RIC bridge about; I'll check.

TED

Serves me right for typing at 1:16 a.m.!

I too think the angle would be too severe. You'll probably need to add an "R" tailpiece or trapeze to the guitar to make it work right.

Gary: I was referring to putting a cover on the new style bridge and not the one in the photo you have posted above.

The new style bridge works fine on my 450/12. The angle of the strings to the bridgeplate has not been a problem for me.

Peter, sorry that I misunderstood your comment. Do you have a picture of your bridge, similar to mine above, so that Ted can see how the strings clear the back part of the bridge?

Peter: If it works on your 450/12 it should work on a 460

Thanks for the info guys! Now to find a bridge.......