4004 ABM Bridge

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 12:23 pm

I've always had a problem with the bridge on my 4004 CII not having enough heighth adjustment. I would have to have the "E" and "G" string saddles lowered down til they bottomed out just to get the action where I sort of liked it, then compensate with tweaking the neck.

Not good.

If anyone out there in 4004 land has this problem, I encourage you to pick up the Hipshot Style "A" bridge as a replacement. A no mod retrofit, a little smaller than the stock item but uses the same mounting holes. Looks great and sounds alot better, especially noticable when played acoustically, much more resonance.

Jeff Scott told me about these along time ago, but I'm a little slow getting with the program sometimes.

Highly recommended. www.hipshotproducts.com

As you can see in the second pic, I now have plenty of heighth adjustment now.

If you get one, get the .750 string spacing and tell them you need the longer intonation screws.

jps · Post by **jps** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 1:34 pm

I am glad to see you are finally taking my advice, Grasshopper!

I wish RIC would use these as standard on the 4004 basses as they really are a better bridge, plus they are Made In U.S.A!

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 4:30 pm

Thank you, Master Jeff

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 5:30 pm

I wish RIC would use these as standard on the 4004 basses as they really are a better bridge, plus they are Made In U.S.A!

They're also unbelievably over-priced. There's just no way.

Anyway, our new bridge will fit this model as well as the 4003.

relayer4u · Post by **relayer4u** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 5:51 pm

Do tell, Mr. Hall!

I would prefer a factory solution, always!

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 6:16 pm

I gotta agree with John,, the price is why I put it off so long.

But it is just to nice a bass to have to deal with a small problem like this.

I am really looking forward to that new design.

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 8:24 pm

Hipshot makes amazing products, and while I would say they are overpriced, people are certainly willing to pay for them, so, at least, according to the market, the price is exactly where it should be (assuming they can't drop it without taking a loss). Even so, I'm waiting for the new Ric bridge to be released before I make a decision on replacement bridges. As tempting as the Rickenbacker replacement is on Hipshot's website, it's heavy and pricey, and I wanna see what Mr. Hall has in store.

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 9:45 pm

"Anyway, our new bridge will fit this model as well as the 4003."

Yesh!

markbass99 · Post by **markbass99** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 1:59 am

I can certainly understand why RIC does not use the Hipshot bridge as they have a price point to maintain and the ABM is a nice bridge. You usually see the Hipshot stuff on boutique type basses and that justifies the Hipshot prices.

I absolutely love the Ultralight tuners they make and highly recommend them if you're doing a five string conversion, they will reduce neck dive and have a really small foot print.

It's possible I might put the Hipshot bridge(four string) up for sale that Jeff Scott put on the Cheyenne for a good price, I have to reassemble it since I robbed the saddles for my five string conversion. I have since received extra saddles for another project, but have decided to go with a Schaller bridge for my next conversion.

jsod · Post by **jsod** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 4:28 am

"They're also unbelievably over-priced."

$117.00 direct from the factory, as opposed to the gold 4004c bridge which lists for $150.00 from Rickenbacker?

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 5:06 am

they make a good 4 and 5 string bridge ... a good quality mod for a quality bass ...

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 6:30 am

Hipshot's wholesale price is about 4 times that of ABM, although they're priced about the same at retail. We've also found the ABM machining tolerances to be much more precise than any American part (which is sad to me).

Hipshot's "factory price" is essentially a "street price", whereas our suggested retail price allows the dealers some room to deal with you. My guess is that out street price for this part is in the $90 range.

Also, as soon as our trademark registration on the bass bridge is issued, they'll likely be doing some quick redesign.

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 7:19 am

buy now-blackout photos later!

jsod · Post by **jsod** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 7:31 am

"Also, as soon as our trademark registration on the bass bridge is issued, they'll likely be doing some quick redesign."

Why would Hipshot need to redesign their Style A bridge?

(Or were you referring to ABM?)

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 7:42 am

My reference was to the Hipshot bridge for the 4003, not their ABM knockoff.