Where can I get a Rickenbacker tailpiece?

[big e]

My Rick cast tail piece just broke (part # 1119 black). Found it on line for $150!!! This part should be about $50. Any suggestions who might have it for less $$$ ?

[Floyd Eye]

Originally Posted by big e

My Rick cast tail piece just broke (part # 1119 black). Found it on line for $150!!! This part should be about $50. Any suggestions who might have it for less $$$ ?

Why would it be $50? Used maybe.

You can buy them directly from Rickenbacker. I think they're $175.

[Bazaboy33]

Just buy a black Winfield Rickenbacker trapeze bridge off of eBay. They are easier to restring & wont break in half like the crappy "R" tailpiece. Plus, they are more vintage...

[BigPapiFan]

I believe that Rickenbacker will only sell you a tailpiece or a truss rod cover, if you return your original broken one.

[big e]

That's right, they won't replace a part unless you return the failed part and provide the serial number of the guitar! I'm looking at the Winfield but they don't have a harp style in black for 12 string!

[VicAjax]

my black R tailpiece just broke too! mine is on my 1986 620. i called Rickenbacker and they said that pickofthericks.com deals with the replacement parts. and yes, they told me i had to return my broken one too.

i haven't pulled the trigger because of the cost, and also because i'm toying with the idea of replacing it with an Accent vibrato.

out of curiosity, how did your tailpiece break? on mine, one of the teeth that holds the ball of the string in place got bent so badly that it wouldn't hold anymore.

[big e]

Mine broke on one side right where my tailpiece attaches to the holding bracket. It's a cast part and just cracked / broke and pulled the tailpiece to one side.

[VicAjax]

i emailed Winfield awhile back and they told me they could do a black Accent, but they only black their parts in batches, so i'd have to pay in advance and wait for the next batch of black parts to be dipped.

i may just go ahead and do that. i think a 620 is really a perfect guitar for a vibrato setup.

[Floyd Eye]

You guys must be talking about guitar tailpieces ( even still, I thought the return the old one bit was only on TRCs).

You can buy a 4001/3 tailpiece any time from the boutique at Ric.com. I assumed the guitar TPs were the same.

[VicAjax]

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

You guys must be talking about guitar tailpieces 9 even still, I thought the return the old one bit was only on TRCs).

You can buy a 4001/3 tailpiece any time from the boutique at Ric.com. I assumed the guitar TPs were the same.

[Floyd Eye]

9 was supposed to be (

[Structo]

Originally Posted by BigPapiFan

I believe that Rickenbacker will only sell you a tailpiece or a truss rod cover, if you return your original broken one.

If that's the case, they should give the failed tailpiece to you for free.
Or just charge shipping.
I have heard of the tailpiece breaking quite a bit so evidently it is an inferior design.
Gee, maybe they ought to put pencil to paper and design one that doesn't cost their customer $150! <rant off>

[JustOlder]

Yes the R tailpiece is a bit harder for restringing. Just use a capo. Otherwise you can get the Trapeze of Ricenbackers site or if you must have the R setup. Find a used on on ebay or go here http://www.winfieldvintage.com/parts/trapeze.html. You can buy a bracket at Winfield that requires no new drill holes. Then use the trapeaze. IMO the Trapeze is the nicer tailpiece anyway. Actually you can get an R thru Winfield. After that just keep an eye for a used one on ebay. Seems odd but Rickenbacker is probably the most forged guitar on the planet. I broke my truss-rod cover once. Was just about ready to send it back to Rick and found one on ebay. Even with Rickenbacker's exchange program. They don't guarentee it will fit perfect. Or match color perfect. Besides other then playing old beatles tunes. Why do you want a Ric. They play crappy in my O. Good luck.

[axe4me]

Call Chris Clayton at Pick of the Ricks.

http://www.pickofthericks.com/

[cmatthes]

Originally Posted by JustOlder

Seems odd but Rickenbacker is probably the most forged guitar on the planet.

This is 100% NOT TRUE.