4003 new bridge / string saddle screws - help please!

[paulgraybass]

hi all, I seem to have lost one of two small hex screws from the bridge saddle on the G string of my latest 4003 aquisition with the new fangled and imho highly annoying new bridge assembly.
I've emailed Rickenbacker with zero luck, UK distributors Rosetti can't help and said Ric aren't providing new bridge replacement parts and the shop I bought it from earlier this year have run out of options.
The measurements seem to me to be 2mm x 10mm so perhaps made specifically for Ric as I've bought several packs online on spec and none seem to fit and not sure if imperial measurements or otherwise.
Can anybody please help or point me to where I may be able to source a suitable replacement?
Cheers - PG

[Dirk]

Well US made, I would expect things to not be in inches, not mm.

On a personal note I still don't know how the US prevented us from moving to metric, which to me makes way more sense.
When I was a kid in school we were told metric was our future, and much like flying cars, that never happened.

Also the pitch of the threads matters of course.
You can have proper size but if you need fine threads, medium and coarse won't do it.

Can you go to your local hardware store and find one? Take one of the existing other screws with you.
Local stores around here have these plastic cards with screws and bolts that you can try to find the correct part.

Sorry I can't be more helpful I'm sure someone here will have a more specific answer.
Good luck,
Dirk

[maxwell]

Is this it?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/294136164868?c ... 4e1b47e9e7

It's the first offering here, in this listing of search results:
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=buy+screws%2C ... =h_&ia=web

There's also an (older style?) saddle for sale that includes a screw.

Look through the search results; you may find what you need....

[lumgimfong]

I have my whole 4003 bridge assembly for sale if you are looking. Came from my 2016 4003. Includes tailpiece/mute/bridge and saddles and mounting screws.
Or, you could replace yours with a Hipshot. Which is what I did for palm muteability and way greater ease of setup.

[paulgraybass]

thanks guys - unfortunately those from Rickysounds are for the older style 4001/3 bridge, I've already spoken to them, and none of the packs I've bought for guitar or otherwise from ebay or Amazon in m2 or M3 sizes fit threadwise...it's most vexing.

And having just paid 2 grand for the bass I'm not really wanting to spend any more on another bridge!

the search continues...if Rickenbacker tech dept responded to my emails it would be helpful!

[maxwell]

Since you quest for a RIC screw has pooped out, I think you're going to have to find a generic screw. Dirk had the right idea -- you're going to need to know the specific measurements of the screw -- measure one of your other screws. Here's a YouTube "how to" search about this. Watch a couple, then measure the best you can your screw. Your guitar set-up ruler will be useful, and calipers will give a more accurate outside dimension (OD) if you have them (vs. eyeballing).

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... rew+thread

One of those videos (2nd one) is from Albany County Fasteners. I've purchased from them before; they have a good selection. There are other sources, of course.
https://www.albanycountyfasteners.com/C ... _And_Bolts

Does your screw have a larger diameter head, or does it look like the ones from Rickysounds (above post, entire length is uniform diameter)?

Here's an example of what I imagine you're looking for. A short distance down from the top is a small window to enter the specifications, e.g., diameter-thread pitch x length (for American/SAE; not metric for this particular screw)
https://www.albanycountyfasteners.com/S ... /64000.htm

ebay has a lot -- again, you just need to know exactly what you're looking for:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R ... &_osacat=0

[ram]

Have you tried posting on the Rickenbacker Forum? Might get some insight there.

[paulgraybass]

Thanks Orville, that;'s all helpful especially the measuring vids - yes its the "know exactly what your looking for" bit that is eluding me...the screws have a cone shape at one end which makes it even harder unlike most of those available. I've yet another pack arriving today but if they don't work either I'm gonna have to head down the accurate thread measuring route.

Tom - thanks, yes will post on Rickenbacker forum too when re-registered as long lost log in details!

[maxwell]

Here's another source, and they also have individual store fronts here & there. If you're lucky, they will have a store front near you. If it's conveniently located, and even if you doubt they have what you need, you may get lucky, or you may get some good info about what this style of screw is called, its size, etc. Some experienced guys are sharp, knowledgeable.

https://www.fastenal.com/en/2112/catalogs

If you can post/attach a photo here you might get some more help. Take the photo, crop as desired, then resize to accommodate this web site's requirements --- I resize to 1250 pixels maximum Horizontal to be on the safe side. Find the "Upload Attachment" tab beneath the reply window. You browse and attach directly from your computer -- no need for a photo hosting site. Not only might someone here recognize the exact screw you're looking for, but you can try doing a image search on Google -- search the web for similar images.

[paulgraybass]

Thanks again Orville, problem is I live in the UK and the screw looks to be US size - it appears you can only get M2 (2mm) or M3 sizes here, I've tried both and the Ric one is in-between, and thread angles are different.

Photo attached of M3 to the left and Ric one to the right if anyone else can help, I guess I'll have to find a luthier who can take the right measurements and take it from there.

cheers - PG

[maxwell]

Getting a little closer... just need the measurements. Anyway, the ad has descriptive/detailed nomenclature -- on the right track.

https://www.smilealto.com/set-screws-c- ... ghmpuuctt0


Back at Albany County...

https://www.albanycountyfasteners.com/3 ... gLz8vD_BwE

Have a ruler like this? -- both metric & US:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/353626752504?h ... SwOANhgQJW

Here's a neat chart to help determine that first number of a screw size designation:
http://www.hurripanelfasteners.com/tech ... _chart.pdf

Based on your approx. diameter measurement of 2 mm, the screw should be either a #1 (1.854 mm or 0.073 in.) or #2 (2.184 mm or 0.086 in.). Lay your screw, which is about 0.5 in long (about 10 mm), against an inch ruler and count the number of threads for a half inch, then double for 1.0 in.

------------------------------
PS - Well, I fell down while working in my attic the other day, so I'm still too sore to do any meaningful work anywhere. So, I poked around the Internet further. I learned that set screws are called grub screws in the UK. Searching UK ebay, there are very few sellers of SAE/Imperial size set screws, and the screws available are rather large. I learned that 10mm is closer to 3/8 inches length. There are lots of Fender set screws (for saddles) in size 4-40, with the "4" = 2.845mm or 0.112 inches as the greater/outside diameter.
https://www.guitarpartsresource.com/
I learned that the cone point of the cone point socket set screw is meant to either engage something (preventing slipping) or these are often simple used as adjustment (height?) screws. If your screw is simply a height adjustment, then and style point would likely work: cup, flat, etc. Size/diameter #1 is rare; #2 more common, but not easy to find. Here are the #1 at Albany County:
https://www.albanycountyfasteners.com/S ... 020000.htm
scroll down to see available lengths; scroll further to see hex/Allen wrench for sale also (you can see what size is needed). At 72 threads per inch, I don't think this is what you need; far too fine.
https://www.albanycountyfasteners.com/S ... 030000.htm
Slightly greater diameter and at 56 threads per inch, this might be the one. Using a micrometer or caliper to measure the outside diameter maybe the only safe way to go.

PPS - These looked interesting, but I have no idea what the "BA" means.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/193654172292 ... SwiYFXD1QA

[maxwell]

Yeah, if you can find a good local repair shop/tech, that would be good. It’s apparent to me now that these screws are standardized, with corresponding diameters & thread pitch (threads/inch for SAE/US (Imperial)). A #1 = 72 TPI, a #2 = 56, probably #4 = 40 TPI. So if you find the correct diameter, it will likely have the correct pitch, and vice versa. I removed a set screw from a guitar vol./tone knob, but it was short, as you’d expect, but could work if the diameter were correct; slotted end for a small screwdriver seems more convenient. Well, that’s about it for me. If you can only find a USA source and they won’t ship, let me know and I’ll acquire and send them to you.

[espidog]

PPS - These looked interesting, but I have no idea what the "BA" means.

BA stands for "British Association" screw thread. More info here: https://www.ring-plug-thread-gages.com/ ... -data.html

For the life of me, I can't understand why somebody at RIC can't simply tell the OP what size thread his grubscrews are. They designed the bloody thing!

Paul: forgive me for being very, very obvious - for all I know the original bolt may have disappeared into a vacuum cleaner by now - but have you tried going over every inch of the floor with a magnet? Indeed, have you tried sifting through the vacuum cleaner contents with a magnet?

[Dirk]

Wow that's a much more coarse pitch than I would expect.

Good call on using the magnet to search.

[lumgimfong]

Great idea.
Could try a magnet sweeper. It looks like a push mop but its a magnet. Saves time going over large areas.

https://www.amazon.com/Master-Magnetics ... B0186MAQP2