Is The Finish Lifting/Cracking Problem By The Bridge Fixed?

[iriane]

Hello again.

I haven't bought a new Rickenbacker since 2012 or 2013, and basically stopped because I kept getting faulty basses where the finish was lifting at the bridge. I've had three black ones, two sunburst, and a special edition crack at the bridge all from the early 2010's. The special edition was repainted by the factory and even after they ground down the bottom of the bridge it still cracked again. I also have a sea green COY 4003 that eventually lifted at the bridge, and that was the old conversion varnish.

I've seen some new RIckenbackers hanging at Guitar Center in the last couple of years (but none in 2019 or 2020) with the same paint cracking at the bridge.

I swore off ever buying any new Ricks unless something really caught my eye. Well, that time has come. The limited Montezuma Amber did just that. Now, I want one.

But, is the finish lifting/cracking at the bridge still an issue? Please be honest. I don't want to spend one cent if yet another bass is going to have this finish issue.

Thank you!

[iriane]

Nobody?

[cjj]

Patience, my friend. This isn't Facebook, and realistically, people just don't frequent the forum like they used to...

[Dirk]

If the finish is cracking, something has moved the bridge causing it.
Perhaps the bridge was not properly attached?

Bridge lift used to be problem with 4001's so I thought, has this problem resurfaced for modern 4003's?

My '81 4003 has not had the lift issue, since it has screws through the back of the bridge. It's my understanding
the lift issues ended in the 80's with the retiring of the 4001.

If it's brand new, there's no excuse for that, send it back immediately to where you got it.
Sorry I'm a vintage guy, so I have no experience with modern Ricks.

Good luck,
Dirk

[teeder]

I don't think this issue has anything to do with the bridge lifting, IMO.

[admin]

Hello again.

I haven't bought a new Rickenbacker since 2012 or 2013, and basically stopped because I kept getting faulty basses where the finish was lifting at the bridge. I've had three black ones, two sunburst, and a special edition crack at the bridge all from the early 2010's. The special edition was repainted by the factory and even after they ground down the bottom of the bridge it still cracked again. I also have a sea green COY 4003 that eventually lifted at the bridge, and that was the old conversion varnish.

I've seen some new RIckenbackers hanging at Guitar Center in the last couple of years (but none in 2019 or 2020) with the same paint cracking at the bridge.

I swore off ever buying any new Ricks unless something really caught my eye. Well, that time has come. The limited Montezuma Amber did just that. Now, I want one.

But, is the finish lifting/cracking at the bridge still an issue? Please be honest. I don't want to spend one cent if yet another bass is going to have this finish issue.

Thank you!

Do you have some good photos?

[iriane]

Of what???

The new Montezuma Amberglo or the problems I've had with the paint cracking at the bridge?

If it's the latter, I'm not going to post those because I don't want have the thread closed or have the pics removed as has happened in the past.

[henry5]

For those who don’t know, it was a pretty common problem. I’ve seen it on a few newer basses. There’s a thread on here somewhere about it.
Is it still a problem? No idea, sorry; haven’t played a new Ric for a while.

[thx1955]

Looking over my collection spanning 5 Decades of production from July-72 through June 2019 the ONLY one that has any issues with Paint at the Bridge is my Chris Squire, the others are all fine, now, I'm happy to admit that I may just have been lucky, the Al Cisneros doesn't count as it's not stained, the others are, as follows:
1970's 3 Fireglo
1980's 1 Mapleglo
1990's 3 Red, Cream, Jetglo
2000's 3 DC Mettalic, Fireglo, Jetglo,
2010's 1 Fireglo <== This was a brand new in 2015 a new 4003-S
As I did not own the Chris Squire from new I can't testify if it came the way, it may have been caused aftermarket by removal and reseating the bridge by a previous owner.

[iriane]

Besides my NOS COY SeaGreen 4003 bridge finish cracking/lifting (which truly surprises me since it was made before the cracking became a widespread issue and it's never had an entire song played on it), I have a 1986 V63 that the clear is separating around the bridge. But, that bass is well played, worn, played on hundreds of gigs. I expect it on that bass, not on a NOS case queen that literally is absolutely like new.

[henry5]

It was on one of the new BRGs I played a couple of years back, a £3k bass. When I pointed it out to the dealer they just shrugged and laughed it off.

[thx1955]

It was on one of the new BRGs I played a couple of years back, a £3k bass. When I pointed it out to the dealer they just shrugged and laughed it off.

Ouch ... not acceptable.

[Colonel Sanders]

Hello again.

I haven't bought a new Rickenbacker since 2012 or 2013, and basically stopped because I kept getting faulty basses where the finish was lifting at the bridge. I've had three black ones, two sunburst, and a special edition crack at the bridge all from the early 2010's. The special edition was repainted by the factory and even after they ground down the bottom of the bridge it still cracked again. I also have a sea green COY 4003 that eventually lifted at the bridge, and that was the old conversion varnish.

I've seen some new RIckenbackers hanging at Guitar Center in the last couple of years (but none in 2019 or 2020) with the same paint cracking at the bridge.

I swore off ever buying any new Ricks unless something really caught my eye. Well, that time has come. The limited Montezuma Amber did just that. Now, I want one.

But, is the finish lifting/cracking at the bridge still an issue? Please be honest. I don't want to spend one cent if yet another bass is going to have this finish issue.

Thank you!

My 1973 Jetglow 4001 has plenty of chips and dings.

[lumgimfong]

2016 fg 4003 no issues so far