It has always “irked” me that on left handed Ricky’s the R is upside down. I guess they solved that by not making leftys anymore (at least for the time being)
It's even more of a problem if you live in Australia as RIC won't ship to Australia. This has forced me to buy the Chinese copy R tailpiece for my 381/12 which broke its tailpiece before I bought it and the owner then replaced it with a trapeze.
I included the "R" tailpiece origin information in my "Rickenbacker 4005V Bass Companion" video which was launched in 2024, as it also includes 4005 history as well. That information is mentioned between 3:13-3:23 in the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NW0QoGkka-g&t=84s
My source for that information is "The Rickenbacker Book - A Complete History of Rickenbacker Guitars" which was written by Tony Bacon and Paul Day, and published in 1994. The information regarding the origin and inspiration of the "R" tailpiece is on page 44.
I mean, it probably was Burke for sure. But I discounted that story because the Redskins didn’t use that logo until well after the tailpiece was designed (ask me how I know lol)
I'm certain the Dick Burke info is correct, as the authors would have had no motivation to make this up - it also fits perfectly historically, and is consistent with all of the other DB contributions of the era. Heck, Dick worked for Rickenbacker until 2004 so there's no doubt they got this info directly from him while researching the book.
The Redskins coaching cap inspiration is accurate as well (another fact they would have heard directly from Dick,) however, I should have researched more at the time and used a photo of an early 60's cap for the video when the "R" was much thinner (the R on the photo I used with Joe Gibbs was from the 80's.) Regardless, Dick used the inspiration and came up with the stylish "baby dinosaur" design that we all know and love. This info is from the very same Rickenbacker book I mentioned in my initial response.
BTW - I bought that book used through Amazon a few years ago. I see there's one available today, however, the seller is asking $98. The one I bought was likely about $30 at the time.
Also, I believe late ‘81 or beginning of ‘82 was when Ric switched over materials to the R tail piece that breaks/explodes.
I own a November’66 360/12 in FG with a brass tail piece and a brass bracket!!
I just thought I’d mention that.
It has always “irked” me that on left handed Ricky’s the R is upside down. I guess they solved that by not making leftys anymore (at least for the time being)
My system to replace 12 strings is each side all at once as easier to thread the headstock
It's even more of a problem if you live in Australia as RIC won't ship to Australia. This has forced me to buy the Chinese copy R tailpiece for my 381/12 which broke its tailpiece before I bought it and the owner then replaced it with a trapeze.
Hi Andy -
I included the "R" tailpiece origin information in my "Rickenbacker 4005V Bass Companion" video which was launched in 2024, as it also includes 4005 history as well. That information is mentioned between 3:13-3:23 in the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NW0QoGkka-g&t=84s
My source for that information is "The Rickenbacker Book - A Complete History of Rickenbacker Guitars" which was written by Tony Bacon and Paul Day, and published in 1994. The information regarding the origin and inspiration of the "R" tailpiece is on page 44.
Chris
I mean, it probably was Burke for sure. But I discounted that story because the Redskins didn’t use that logo until well after the tailpiece was designed (ask me how I know lol)
I'm certain the Dick Burke info is correct, as the authors would have had no motivation to make this up - it also fits perfectly historically, and is consistent with all of the other DB contributions of the era. Heck, Dick worked for Rickenbacker until 2004 so there's no doubt they got this info directly from him while researching the book.
The Redskins coaching cap inspiration is accurate as well (another fact they would have heard directly from Dick,) however, I should have researched more at the time and used a photo of an early 60's cap for the video when the "R" was much thinner (the R on the photo I used with Joe Gibbs was from the 80's.) Regardless, Dick used the inspiration and came up with the stylish "baby dinosaur" design that we all know and love. This info is from the very same Rickenbacker book I mentioned in my initial response.
BTW - I bought that book used through Amazon a few years ago. I see there's one available today, however, the seller is asking $98. The one I bought was likely about $30 at the time.
Oh, and here's a NAMM interview with Dick from 2005 if you haven't seen it. Nothing earth shaking here, but it's still cool to see: https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/richard-burke
Keep up the good work!