Hello, I've had my good old Ricky for some years now, but never played it live because I had a bit of a rattle on the E string of the bridge (you can't hear it plugged in) and the Accent Vibrato looked a bit worse for wear.

But now I'd decided to get it gig ready by replacing the bridge, accent and tuners. But, I've read that you can't' get the old bridges and the new ones (post-1985) are different, anyone have any ideas how I could get round this?

P.s I plan not to touch anything else as the electrics are in good order and i'm happy with the wood/finish.

cheers

G

I don't think you'll have a problem dropping in a current RIC bridge, I think the only differences between old and new are the saddle adjustment screws.

On the old bridge the screws are longer with a large locking nut.
The current version the screws are flush with the bridge channel with a small spring to provide resistance.

Also the older version had grommets on the height adjustment screws compared to springs on the current one.

I think all other dimensions are exactly the same, If I've got that wrong I'm sure someone else will chime in.

IIRC, the spacing/positioning of the height adjustments screws may be a little different on the new bridges compared to the old ones, but if you buy a new base plate along with the bridge you will be good to go.

Cheers guys, I'll make sure to order a base plate as well. My guitar didn't come with a manual, which gauge strings would you fit on this guitar. I'm thinking flatwound 11's?

T-I makes a great set of nickel flats in 11's you can get at POTR.

If you're in the UK you can get 'em from these guys,

http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/p/911910 ... ing-11-47/

I've used the 10-44 set and they are great for the vintage sound.

Cheers agian, for the heads up on the strings. Gonna order some from Strings Direct, fitted some flat wound D'addario strings on my Mosrite for the hell of it the other week and I think i'm converted to flatwounds. Especially with single coil instruments, it seems to add a bit of depth.

Back to Rickenbackers, I think i'm ordering the bridge and a new Accent Vibrato/tuners next week...It's really the only vintage guitar I own and I feel I baby it too much, if I know i'm keeping the bridge etc safe in the case and bringing it back to the work horse it seems to have been for the past 40 years.

I got a Vox night train and it seems to be a great pairing with the Ricky, more so than my Fender Deville. I don't use effects pedals much and That extra bit of distortion of the 'thick' channel really brings out 'The Who' vibe.

G