Question about Rick Bakelite Bridges

Steve Wilson · Post by **Steve Wilson** » 9 May 2018 5:58 pm

I was browsing through Reverb.com and saw this guitar. It seems to have a postwar pickup and surround, but has the strings mounting through the body instead of through the tailpiece. I think I have seen some seven strings with this setup, but not a six string. Anybody have the answers?

Bill Creller · Post by **Bill Creller** » 10 May 2018 4:24 pm

Hi Steve
I converted a couple post-war Bakelites to 7 string, and made them string-through after the bracket(s) were removed.
I also did one because the bracket was broke, on a 7 string, Finding another 7 string bracket wasn't worth the effort.

Maybe the one in the pic was done that way (?), or maybe it's another Rick odd-ball !

Steve Wilson · Post by **Steve Wilson** » 10 May 2018 5:39 pm

Thanks for the info, Bill.

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 11 May 2018 3:50 am

They went back to string through at the end ... using the postwar frypan surrounds ...

Steve Wilson · Post by **Steve Wilson** » 11 May 2018 10:22 am

Thanks, Rick!
The other pictures of this steel showed the shield logo, so that makes sense it was one of the last ones made. Appreciate your insight.

Bill Groner · Post by **Bill Groner** » 11 May 2018 10:46 am

Rick Aiello wrote:They went back to string through at the end ... using the postwar frypan surrounds ...

Hey Rick........got any updates on that long neck frypan?

Robert Mac Neilage · Post by **Robert Mac Neilage** » 13 May 2018 10:10 am

Steve
Here is a photograph of my 1930's six string electro Spanish, the Bakelite at has been damaged at the edge of the holes in the body.

I repaired it 15 years ago and the plastic metal came away from the Bakelite recently so I've repaired it again and will add a thin brass strip along the top to prevent string damage.

This shows that holes through the body was the original method of stringing.
Hope this helps
Robert

Steve Wilson · Post by **Steve Wilson** » 13 May 2018 7:24 pm

Thanks for posting those pictures, Robert. It is not often you get to see an Electro Spanish close up! The Bakelite seems to be the same color as the Ace and Academy lap steels.