Slot in Ric bass bridge?

iamthebassman · Post by **iamthebassman** » Thu Aug 15, 2002 8:23 pm

I've always wondered what the slot in the bridge above the mute pad, between the A and D strings is for. I've seen it on 60s models and reissues, and my 4001CS has it, my other two Rics don't. Any ideas?
Nigel

banta · Post by **banta** » Fri Aug 16, 2002 7:08 am

That's a good question. I don't know.

squirebass · Post by **squirebass** » Fri Aug 16, 2002 8:35 am

I just recently aquired a 1971 4001 and it has one of these slots, my 4001v63 has one also. But on the '71, it almost looks like it was cut out of the bridge rather than molded that way.
Hey Arnquist, do you have an answer for us? You worked at the factory, shouldn't you know EVERYTHING about what Rickenbacker did to their instruments... :')

gaboik · Post by **gaboik** » Fri Aug 16, 2002 3:22 pm

Hello Guys, let us not forget that on the original bridges with the slot, the space that allows the actual bridge piece ( The removable piece that falls out everytime you remove the strings, and holds the saddles), is also smaller. If you were to try to fit a more modern bridge piece into that slot, it will not fit. They probably made it larger in order to get more adjustment travel of the saddles. The new vintage style bridge with the slot cut-out is of the larger size style. So in fact, the vintage re-issue bridge is a hybrid design between old and new. The newer style bridges also have five or seven screws holding the bridge/tail piece in place. The true actual vintage bridge has only three, located under the bridge/saddle piece. I,ve been looking for a smaller bridge / saddle piece to fit my 73 4000.

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Fri Aug 16, 2002 6:38 pm

I'm betting Mark doen't know why that slot is there. I've had theories, but I've dismissed them all.One thing for sure, that bridge design was concieved before John Hall had anything to do with the company, so I wonder if even he knows.
I've considered that it has something to do with the molds they use when casting the metal to make the thing, but somehow, that doesn't quite make sense, because whether its a bridge with or without the slot, they are All cast metal.So Mark, what's Your opinion??

headbanger · Post by **headbanger** » Fri Aug 16, 2002 7:56 pm

Charlie, those old saddles are like hens teeth. I've been looking for one for 2 years. I ended up having one made with some improvements. If I found an original now I'd probably leave it in the case.
The one I had made is lower and the saddles have been shaped so they'll go back further. I wonder which the C series part/s will be like...

mortivan · Post by **mortivan** » Sat Aug 17, 2002 3:02 am

I think it was for style, echoing the split horeshoe pickup cover like the headstock echoes the body.

gaboik · Post by **gaboik** » Sat Aug 17, 2002 8:04 am

Gerry, did you have one made out of a solid piece of material? I have an old one on my 71 4001s, and it looks like you can make one out of a solid piece of brass, have the holes cut out for the saddles and hight adjustment, and away you go. I'm curious to know, are the saddles on your bridge offset so that they lay more towards the rear of the bridge? On my 71, I had to physically move the whole tail piece/ bridge back as far as the mute piece would allow it to go,Plug up the old holes, drill new ones, and that just made proper intonation.

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Sat Aug 17, 2002 10:47 am

The old 4001 bridge base[pre '73] was made of sand cast aluminum.You see bridges from that period and frequently, the plating is just going to hell on them.It's difficult to do a good plating on this stuff.Plus,especially the old narrower bridge saddle assembly, which was cast aluminum as well, tend to crack, rendering them useless.And you are right, a newer 4001 bridge saddle assembly section is just a bit too wide to properly seat in the recessed area on the old baseplates.

headbanger · Post by **headbanger** » Sun Aug 18, 2002 5:09 am

Charlie, I gave a new type saddle to a machine shop & told them what I wanted. They made a solid Al piece that took all the bits from the new one & the saddle posts were filed & rounded to fit the slots better & extend further back. It looks just like the old one & works better. I haven't had to move the whole thing(luckily). I'm very pleased with the results.