1972 bridge fits later 4001?

[Arlaman]

Hi!
Will a 1972 4001 aluminum bridge/tailpiece fit a 1977 4001? I am looking to change bridge to one I can trust handles strings with a bit higher tension, without getting bad tail lift. Currently have low tension medium light gauge strings. Dont want anything crazy, just medium gauge strings. Been thinking about ugly replacement but now a possible alternative came up...

[jps]

Yes, it will fit fine. Do you have a bead on one that is not already on a bass?

[aceonbass]

While the earlier cast aluminum tailpiece will work in place of the later die-cast zinc part, it is not a direct fit. The route is slightly longer toward the rear, and the middle screw mounting hole is not exactly in the middle like the later part. So, you'll need to make those adjustments. I have an early cast tailpiece being plated right now that has been modified to accept the later bridge insert. When it gets back in a couple weeks, it will be available for sale.

[Arlaman]

Thanks guys, exactly what I needed! There is one for sale and I was thinking it would be awesome to have one but if I need to make modifications I am not so sure.

[chefothefuture]

Dane does great work on these. I have had one he modded for several years now and couldn't be happier.

[Arlaman]

So you have a modded alu bridge on a later 4001?

[henry5]

The one that was for sale was mine. I was only selling to try and get some money to put towards another bass; I have no real need to sell it. It didn't go, which wasn't really a blow. I'd sooner keep it than get less than I wanted/needed. I may consider putting it up for sale again but it likely won't be going down in price.

For what it's worth, it came off one of my '72s and has been replaced by an original aluminium tailpiece modified by Dane to accept the later, wider bridge unit.

[Arlaman]

Ok I obviously read your post a bit too fast Dane . I thought the bass needed to be modded. That tail piece does sound interesting for sure if it is ready to be used on my -77. How much will it cost?

Cool you posted here Shaun . Fully understand your price. If I had a -72 and needed an original bridge it would probably be a nobrainer. For an ordinary -77, well, dunno, requires thinking .

[aceonbass]

Well, any 4001/3 that didn't come with a cast aluminum tailpiece does need to be modded...slightly. The middle screw hole on your bass will need to be dowelled, and redrilled to match the one on the aluminum part. Also, a bit of wood may have to be trimmed off of the rear of the route below the bride due to the thicker aluminum casting.

[henry5]

Ok I obviously read your post a bit too fast Dane . I thought the bass needed to be modded. That tail piece does sound interesting for sure if it is ready to be used on my -77. How much will it cost?

Cool you posted here Shaun . Fully understand your price. If I had a -72 and needed an original bridge it would probably be a nobrainer. For an ordinary -77, well, dunno, requires thinking .

No problem Henrik. I was kind of aiming at anyone who requires a replacement, although I have thought of keeping it and modding a 4003S to as near 60s spec as possible. Just don't currently have a 4003S to use.

Dane does do great work BTW.

[chefothefuture]

So you have a modded alu bridge on a later 4001?

I used it on a restoration of a '73 4001. The bass had a zinc TP and I put the aluminum one on in it's place.
IIRC I may have had to use a Dremel to slightly widen the recess in the body.

[prowla]

Hi!
Will a 1972 4001 aluminum bridge/tailpiece fit a 1977 4001? I am looking to change bridge to one I can trust handles strings with a bit higher tension, without getting bad tail lift. Currently have low tension medium light gauge strings. Dont want anything crazy, just medium gauge strings. Been thinking about ugly replacement but now a possible alternative came up...

You can get an Allparts one or even a current Ric one.

I've been looking for a '72 one, but the recent one on ebay was about double my price.

The alternative is to get a Hipshot.

[jps]

Hi!
Will a 1972 4001 aluminum bridge/tailpiece fit a 1977 4001?...

You can get an Allparts one or even a current Ric one.

I've been looking for a '72 one, but the recent one on ebay was about double my price.

Expect the vintage, hard to aquire parts to be expensive, goes with the territory.

[prowla]

Hi!
Will a 1972 4001 aluminum bridge/tailpiece fit a 1977 4001?...

You can get an Allparts one or even a current Ric one.

I've been looking for a '72 one, but the recent one on ebay was about double my price.

Expect the vintage, hard to aquire parts to be expensive, goes with the territory.

Of course, but something's worth is what someone will pay for it.

[aceonbass]

Putting an Allparts or current 4003 tailpiece assembly on a vintage 4000/4001 that had a cast aluminum one will lower the bass's value by about as much as it would cost to find a correct replacement. Either modern replacement tailpieces will require drilling two additional holes in your bass to keep them from lifting.