Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I can't see the bass, since I don't have instagram, so I don't know what it looks like, but here are a couple comments:

Years ago I had everything lined up to make sandcast aluminum TP's just like the old ones. I laser scanned one of my old ones to make the pattern from. I would have been able to make 6 at a time and total cost with machining (minus plating) was under $100.00 per unit. Obviously, I couldn't get an OK from Mr. Hall, so I didn't move any further.

I also have a design that is an add-on to the existing TP that allows palm muting with no modifications. If I ever get some free time, I'll make a few up with my 3d printer for a test run.

So much **** in my head and not enough time to do anything with it.

Here are a few pics...

cassius987 wrote:

thisismusicinc wrote:I like the will to do something completely different

This.

Gilmourisgod wrote:Anybody know if that's the new standard 4003 bridge, or just a teaser for this limited run? Hard to believe they'd go to all the trouble of new design and casting if that wasn't going to be the new version. I fervently hope so, it's the single most common gripe, and this version retains the classic look. You still won't be able to palm-mute behind the bridge pup, but I think its a decent tradeoff for easily adjustable intonation and string spacing. Hopefully they beefed up the casting thickness while they were at it.

Casting it for a limited run only does seem odd, but who knows.

If the "teeth" could even just be lowered a sukosh and the adjustment knobs replaced with something lower profile, it would probably allow facile palm muting on most Rics. I can already palm mute the E, A and D strings pretty well on my 4003S with the stock bridge. It's just the G string that's tricky. However, on a fretless Ric it's a different story - have the bring the saddles down quite a bit more without the frets, and this makes palm muting near impossible.

Never really been a concern for me, since I never palm mute.

I suspect that Al doesn't, either.

teeder wrote:I can't see the bass, since I don't have instagram, so I don't know what it looks like, but here are a couple comments:

Years ago I had everything lined up to make sandcast aluminum TP's just like the old ones. I laser scanned one of my old ones to make the pattern from. I would have been able to make 6 at a time and total cost with machining (minus plating) was under $100.00 per unit. Obviously, I couldn't get an OK from Mr. Hall, so I didn't move any further.

I also have a design that is an add-on to the existing TP that allows palm muting with no modifications. If I ever get some free time, I'll make a few up with my 3d printer for a test run.

So much **** in my head and not enough time to do anything with it.

It's also on their FB.

Korladis wrote:

teeder wrote:I can't see the bass, since I don't have instagram, so I don't know what it looks like, but here are a couple comments:

Years ago I had everything lined up to make sandcast aluminum TP's just like the old ones. I laser scanned one of my old ones to make the pattern from. I would have been able to make 6 at a time and total cost with machining (minus plating) was under $100.00 per unit. Obviously, I couldn't get an OK from Mr. Hall, so I didn't move any further.

I also have a design that is an add-on to the existing TP that allows palm muting with no modifications. If I ever get some free time, I'll make a few up with my 3d printer for a test run.

So much **** in my head and not enough time to do anything with it.

It's also on their FB.

Which I'm also not on.

Nice to see the forward motion!

Rickenbacker has posted on facebook and instagram:

Newly re-engineered tailpiece, two RIC-made treble bezels with each 4003AC, AND... a single dual action truss rod.

In the comments they say about the tailpiece, " we love our friends at Schaller, but this one is 100% organically Rickenbacker produced!"

thisismusicinc wrote:Rickenbacker has posted on facebook and instagram:

Newly re-engineered tailpiece, two RIC-made treble bezels with each 4003AC, AND... a single dual action truss rod.

In the comments they say about the tailpiece, " we love our friends at Schaller, but this one is 100% organically Rickenbacker produced!"

Thumbs up on all counts. That's awesome. Looking forward to seeing the tailpiece and bezels. Been thinking a single truss rod would make a lot of sense.

Although, I'm not a fan of the bass, I do like the new bridge, and I think I like the single rod. just curious though, one of the unique things about Rick basses has been the "replaceable" truss rods.

I wonder if this can still be done?

Very interesting. I might have to snag one!

I like the dual high gain pickups with the height-adjustable surrounds, and the pickup positioning looks like it would give some great tonal options. I'd do some minor, easily-reversible mods to it to suit my tastes but it looks very interesting.

Nice to see some new ideas coming from RIC!

and the pickup positioning looks like it would give some great tonal options.

+1. I'd like to hear that.

Good to "hear" from you, Jeff T.!

teeder wrote:I can't see the bass, since I don't have instagram, so I don't know what it looks like, but here are a couple comments:

Years ago I had everything lined up to make sandcast aluminum TP's just like the old ones. I laser scanned one of my old ones to make the pattern from. I would have been able to make 6 at a time and total cost with machining (minus plating) was under $100.00 per unit. Obviously, I couldn't get an OK from Mr. Hall, so I didn't move any further.

I also have a design that is an add-on to the existing TP that allows palm muting with no modifications. If I ever get some free time, I'll make a few up with my 3d printer for a test run.

So much **** in my head and not enough time to do anything with it.

$100 per unit? Even with the cost of adding plating, I'd have bought a couple! Shame you couldn't get the go-ahead.

Has anyone got their hands on one of these yet? I am thinking about pulling the trigger, assuming I can find one...

Looks like Rickenbacker are going through their own Henry J era right now.