4003 tailpiece bending up

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Tue Apr 15, 2003 1:31 am

ok, heres my dilema, if you took part in the previous thread i started, you will know that i have this amazing white 91' 4003 - with a bent up tailpiece. While it affects nothing playability wise, i dont like the idea of my favorite bass guitar having a bent part on it.

You know how everyone has one instrument thats just perfect for them? well this white 4003 is mine. Im seriously thinking of ordering a new tailpiece to correct my problem, but in another ten years time, will that one warp too?

I know some of you suggested adding extra screws to the back of the tailpiece, but i dont wanna drill into my prized possession

i hope someone can advise me

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Tue Apr 15, 2003 2:00 am

Owen:
With all due respect, this whole 'bent up tailpiece' subject is downright absurd. There's nothing wrong with the tailpiece on your 4003. Don't waste money on a new unit therefor. Don't add extra screws to it, either. Just leave it alone.
I wish John Hall would comment on this.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Tue Apr 15, 2003 3:16 am

If you add the 2 screws with good craftsmanship then it will look like it came from the factory that way ....

I have found that pretty much most of the ric's that I have owned from 1970's to present will either bend up a little or a lot ... I used to replace the tailpiece but now I just add screws ...

The only ones that stay down completely flat are the ones from the 60's ...

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Tue Apr 15, 2003 3:52 am

You know what, your all right, i will leave it be.

banta · Post by **banta** » Tue Apr 15, 2003 4:47 am

I've never had that problem with any of the Ric basses I've owned, but the two I have now both have the 'extra' two screws in the tailpiece, so I don't see any way that they could bend.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Tue Apr 15, 2003 7:48 am

here's a replacement bridge for sale on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2523798934&category=4713

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Tue Apr 15, 2003 7:54 am

Jeff, thanks for the link, but i have decided to leave the bass as is - in any case i would need a black bridge

, but thanks anyway

jeff_ulmer · Post by **jeff_ulmer** » Tue Apr 15, 2003 7:56 am

I would disagree that there's nothing wrong with a bent up tailpiece. If the shape of the metal has changed over time it is from stress, and there is no telling if it will fail completely at some point. If this is a black hardwared bass, I would be buying a spare just in case.

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Tue Apr 15, 2003 9:18 am

im getting worried now. $110 is a lot of money for a spare

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Tue Apr 15, 2003 10:47 am

Get a new one and put it on and save the old one as a backup .... if the new one pulls up over time then drill holes in the old one and use it ..

gt76 · Post by **gt76** » Tue Apr 15, 2003 3:28 pm

Since the "C" series is supposedly an exact (exact as possible anyway less the truss rods) duplicate of a famous 60's era bass, is the bridge plate a pot metal replica or is it the same material (?) as the plate in the 60's. This was a non-issue until the 70's so if the "C"s bridge plate is a duplication, problem solved. I'm guessing that we'll see the plate curl on the "C"s in the next couple of years.

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 3:13 am

theres a 4001 CS on ebay:http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2523546337&category=4713

The tailpiece is lifting, and while not as bad as mine, it would seem that the majority of rick basses do this.

Its almost as if the slightly bent up shape is the "natural" shape that the tailpiece bends into, and is quite normal

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 3:30 am

For purposes of discussion after the auction is over, here is a portion of the photo from eBay.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 4:53 am

It bothers me more to see the tailpiece lifting up then to see 2 extra screws in the tailpiece.

I got used to seeing my 1968 laying absolutely flat for 30 years so whenever I see a tailpiece pulling up I get the urge to pop 2 screws in ...

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 5:38 am

can inserting some screws really bend that metal back ? it looks pretty damn tough.

wouldnt it just dig into the wood