Westone Rainbow 1 need bridge/tremolo

hi team, call me Togadog, but shane is the name...new to the forum, and hope you all can point me in the direction of anybody who can source parts for this amazing guitar.
i have a mint condition Rainbow 1 hollow body electric, in light brown, and the bridge/tremolo section is broken...i have only recently inherited it from a deceased relative, and I have the broken piece, but cannot tell if this actual guitar ever had a tremolo, and want to try and avoid losing value on this unit...it is completely unmarked, and don't want to add something that may detract from it's value...i also need some strings once i fix it, so would love to hear what ones are recommended for this model...looking forward to getting this thing fixed up for my son...will post pictures soon as I can...thanks all and looking forward to some great discussion on this forum !!  i have around 10 guitars, and a genius son learning, so really want him to take this one to the next level..!!

Hi Shane and welcome.

The Rainbow series did not come with a tremolo (or I'm assuming here a Bigsby style vibrato?). This was an after market mod. Have a look HERE for general info on your guitar, then look in the Scans section for catalogue info.

Pictures will help when your "probationary" period is over, and I'm sure you'll hear from the Rainbow membership soon.

thanks heaps Barry...mine looks to be the version 3, and is a pale/blonde birch color, spotless timber....serial is 5103310. cool to know , basically mine has the bottom chrome bridge/string mount piece broken in half, and for such a pristine instrument (i swear it has barely even been played in 30 years) , with original case, I want to try and keep it authentic....any idea how to get this chrome piece ? I am in Australia, but happy to pay for freight from anywhere, and definitely don't want an aftermarket or non 'real' piece on it...tks heaps mate.

You will be extremely lucky to find an original. Never seen one for sale in 20 plus years. If I ever see one I'd buy it.
There has been many a member on here looking for this part.
It's a common problem. The pot metal is crap, any bump and they snap. They are so thin where the strings pass under them.
They're also an odd size from post to post 73 mm from memory.

Best thing to do is have one made from solid brass.
I'll post a link when I find it.

Where's yours broken A or B string?

and based on the serial number records Barry, it means mine is 1985, October, so the rainbow 1 was still in production then !!

thanks Westbone, mine is broken at A string.....thanks heaps

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Can't find the link at the mo. but here's a few photos of the one my good mate made. Solid brass, Rainbow II (gold)

I've been trying to get him to make some more but it takes time as they're handmade but maybe?????

thanks mate, am i blocked or something as a new member? i cannot see any images...it is only the tail piece i need, the adjustable bridge seems ok, but tail as you said broken at A string...must be some other models/brands with similar size that will fit my posts ? really appreciate the help guys..

ok, as i pressed send, your image popped up Westbone.....very nice job, and he hand built this?? wow

No other sized tailpiece that fits.
As I mentioned it's a bastard size.
73 mm from center to center on the posts.

What a PITA!
Damian, as you were explaining the problem with this otherwise beautiful guitar, a foggy memory came to me of a ingenious fix my 'close personal friend' Dan Erlewine did to correct the intonation on an ABR-1 bridge.

I found the video:

.

Granted, the stop tail is a heavier metal situation to deal with, but Dan's approach I think could be adapted here. Some clever machining/assembly would still be needed but it avoids having to hand cut a new brass tail from scratch, and no damage is done to the guitar.

A standard Gotoh stop tail is wider at 82.55mm (3-1/4") so this method would allow the post centres to open up to accommodate the longer piece. It doesn't matter where the ultimate position ends up since this is an anchor, not a bridge.

Something worth considering at least?

That's a good idea Barry.

Will take a good bit of machining though.

One other thought.

The fat E side will be tightening in it's insert from the string tension but on the skinny E side it will be loosening.

Could be 'fixed' into the insert with a grub screw.

Also have to remove the inserts and replace in the correct position when post are fully inserted.

That's just that, will still have to make the offset post!!
Will need a lathe for the posts.

When I mentioned he made it by hand that was only the shape he does have a fully equipped machine workshop.

There's an easier way to make the tailpiece but will still need a milling machine for the ends. It will also be a ton stronger with more mass. I'll put a drawing up sometime...

Westbone wrote:...The fat E side will be tightening in it's insert from the string tension but on the skinny E side it will be loosening.
Could be 'fixed' into the insert with a grub screw...

Yeah, it would be a good idea to make the stop tail actually stop!

Making a new stop/tailpiece is a much better idea as it will at least still look like an original setup.

If you wanna use a Gibson style you might as well plug and replace the posts position. It's under the piece so hidden.Save a ton of work doing offset posts for the same result.

another option...
you could use a trapeze tailpiece, like the gibson in the video had.

gittarasaurus wrote:another option...
you could use a trapeze tailpiece, like the gibson in the video had.

But your still left with 2 holes where the posts are, not very pretty. Plus your screwing a tailpiece in the rear.     These guitars are getting a bit pricey so the less damage the better.
The only proper solution is to make a new stop bar.

Nix on the trapeze tail too.  
It would be a good functional repair on a lesser guitar but these Rainbows should maintain the stop tail methinks.

As for making a new tailpiece from scratch, well, ya, if you can...and we're back to where we started. I still think there's a alternative approach to be had here, somewhere.