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Post new topic Rickenbacher Tuning Buttons -- Source?
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Author Topic:  Rickenbacher Tuning Buttons -- Source?
Alan Kirk


From:
Paso Robles, CA, USA
Post  Posted 16 Apr 2005 11:36 am    
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Anyone know where I might find a replacement tuner button for a prewar bakelite Rick? The buttons are chromed, sort of a rectangle with a triangle pointing toward the headstock.

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Richard Shatz


From:
Quincy, IL, United States
Post  Posted 16 Apr 2005 12:15 pm    
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That's about the toughest replacement there is. They were probably discontinued because of poor durability, but I'm not sure of that. About 10 years ago I bought this aluminum Harmony that was made in 1935 or 36 with the same buttons but with the machine mounted 6 in line. http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/r_shatz/
detail?.dir=5889&.dnm=fb46.jpg&.src=ph
I think that this type of button was only produced installed on the machines, as I have never been able to find a replacement for the entire unit and have never seen just the button replacement.
I was more recently lucky to find a National Electric Hawaiian cast aluminum steel that was really trashed, but it had several machines with intact buttons like this that matched exactly the ones on my 1935 Model B Rick that was missing one.
Post a photo of yours. Maybe I can do you some good
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Alan Kirk


From:
Paso Robles, CA, USA
Post  Posted 16 Apr 2005 1:54 pm    
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Richard, My guitar is idential to your 1935 B6. Same buttons.

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Richard Shatz


From:
Quincy, IL, United States
Post  Posted 16 Apr 2005 2:53 pm    
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Do you need the treble or bass side?
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Alan Kirk


From:
Paso Robles, CA, USA
Post  Posted 16 Apr 2005 4:04 pm    
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Treble. But I'm not sure what difference that would make because the buttons seem the same to me on either side.

[This message was edited by Alan Kirk on 16 April 2005 at 05:05 PM.]

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Richard Shatz


From:
Quincy, IL, United States
Post  Posted 16 Apr 2005 10:30 pm    
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The buttons are the same, but the machines are mirror images. The buttons can't be removed and reattached without destroying the button, so you need the whole tuning machine.
Anyway, you're in luck. I have two treble side machines and I'm willing to part with one. Neither is in perfect condition.
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Alan Kirk


From:
Paso Robles, CA, USA
Post  Posted 19 Apr 2005 6:01 pm    
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Richard,

What do I need to do to take one of these off your hands?

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Alan Kirk


From:
Paso Robles, CA, USA
Post  Posted 23 Apr 2005 5:55 am    
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Still looking.

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