4004 ABM Bridge

jsod · Post by **jsod** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 7:49 am

Wouldn't Hipshot's bridge be "grandfathered" for any similarities in shape to the original 4003 bridge/tailpiece, since their design was completed before Rickenbacker's trademark registration went through?

Not tryin' to be a pain...just curious.

)

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 8:00 am

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

That's cool, so I wonder if that means that the 4004Cii/5 will eventually be reintroduced with a new RIC designed bridge.

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 12:00 pm

Alex, our trademark on this has been held since the 1960's. One of the main reasons to make a federal registration is to permit bringing an action in federal court, although it can also serve to "advertise" the trademark status more clearly.

Under U.S. law, it's first use not first registered, and that's a point that's there's no question about.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 1:45 pm

Is the maker of those Allparts Rickenbacker knockoffs still making them?

thinneckrick · Post by **thinneckrick** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 1:49 pm

I think the hipshot bridges are outstanding . Ricks going to half to go along way to beat them. I for one will be first in line to buy a new rick designed bridge if it is better than the hipshot that is .

jsod · Post by **jsod** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 5:34 pm

Allparts still carries them, Ted.

I guess I'm a little confused as to why Rickenbacker has not been able to prevent the Allparts maker from producing its knockoff 4003 bridge/tailpiece if the trademark has been held since the 1960's. Is a Federal registration required in order to do that?

Also, what alterations would Hipshot need to make to its 4003 bridge to make it "trademark-compliant"? The only similarity to the original is the basic outline shape; everything else is very different.

And no, I don't work for Hipshot

), but I do own two of their 4003 replacement bridges. It's an excellent bridge...it would be a shame if they had to drastically change anything.

jps · Post by **jps** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 7:34 pm

I agree that the Hipshot bridges are pricey but the A style did allow for greater downward adjustment which I wanted on my 4004Cii, and the slots for quick string replacement is a very useful feature. If the ABM had that I might have lived with the action higher than I wanted.

heinpete · Post by **heinpete** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 9:54 pm

I think the whole discussion about "trademarking" of the 4003 bridge against the Hipshot replacement will be meaningless if the expected new Rick bridge is better than the Hipshot one. Other than that it is just a poor mentality to protect by trademark a "bad" item from improvement in order to still safely sell the "****". Sorry of being so rude, but maybe I write what also others may think. Hail Rickenbacker, hail! No doubt the basses are still great!

johnashfield · Post by **johnashfield** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:53 am

Personally I love the 4000 series bridge the way it is. In 1993 I bought a 4004c and while a beautiful instrument, it just sounded "blah" to me.

It didn't have the 4001/4003 personality or distinct sound. Somehow I think all that mass in the bridge has something to do with it. Plus the bridge just looks great! How often does one need to change the intonation anyway?

The 4004 bridge, just looks kind of servicable to me. Which certainly fits with the design aesthetic of the bass, which is much simpler/plainer than the 4001.

I certainly wouldn't call the 4001/4003 bridge "bad".

It will be cool to see the new bridge though. Though I don't think I'll be putting it on my 4001c64s.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 9:38 am

John Hall has stated that the 4004 was designed to have a more modern sound ... it was not supposed to have a 4001 sound ... but with 2 volume controls and single coil pickups the 4004 has quite a bit of the 4001 sound ... and I think even with the hb1 pickups the 4004 has a Rickenbacker sound which 2 volume controls bring out ...

and If I have a $1000 bass I have no problem spending $100 for a replacement bridge ...

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 9:43 am

Amen. The Hipshot made my CII sound 100% better.

johnashfield · Post by **johnashfield** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 6:14 pm

I wasn't trying to say that the 4004 should sound like a 4001, to be clearer, to my ears, it sounded generic. Not bad, but not unique. And certainly not very "rick-like" to my ears.

Your mileage may vary. Hell mine may too, it's been 8 years since I sold it!

I do like the drop in string slots of the hipshot, that seems handy!

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 6:57 pm

Dont apologize John. Your right in your description. But like Jeff said, the 4004 wasnt designed to compete with the 4001/4003 tone. The 4004 is a different animal altogether. I really wasnt happy with the tone of mine and at one point, thought I had it sold, boxed up ready to ship, but the "buyer" turned out to be an as*.

So,,,at this point, it was either fix it, or Ebay it. This inspired me to go with the Hipshot. On Jeff Scotts review, ( thanks Jeff

), I went with the Hipshot bridge.

This bridge made all the difference. It brought out sustain and tone that was "hidden" with the ABM.

Instead of a "dark, hollow tone", I now have a "deep clearer, much more workable" tone with much more sustain.

Keep in mind this is my experience, and I stand by it. Different basses may vary, but I prefer the Hipshot.

Like Jeff Rath said, whats a $100 dollar investment on a $1K+ bass?

Dont like it? Flip it on Ebay. Its worth the effort.

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 11:03 am

Its been about a month and I still love it. My 4003's are seeing very limited playing time now.

Im thinking about a 4004 Larado in my future...Hmm..Jetglo maybe?

markbass99 · Post by **markbass99** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 2:00 pm

If you want a jetglo Laredo Scott you better go ahead and order one, I was told that it could take a year to eighteen months when I ordered mine from Mike Parks in October. I'm not concerned about the wait as I have two other 4004's to keep me occupied. I like the 4004 model so much since I discovered it this year that I've sold off all my 4003's, just keeping my 4001's for investment purposes.