The dreaded tail lift

silverjet89 · Post by **silverjet89** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 7:18 am

So I've been browsing this forum to get more info on my '75 4001 and discovered the tail lift issue. Looks like mine does have a small lift to it. I found a link mentioned for a repair procedure but it is dead. ../43/92979.html"#FFEECC">

dean712 · Post by **dean712** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 7:31 am

I remember a while ago someone posted that they had installed extra screws through the bridge to keep the tail lift down. It's a permanent mod, though. Hopefully someone will remember that and chime in.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 8:15 am

If it's only a small amount of lift, then you tailpiece is no different than any other one. That small amount of lift is really not a problem at all. Rarely, a tailpiece will have excess lift, usually from the use of of strings with a lot of tension. I think Gary Clauson made a template to make it easier to drill the 2 extra holes of tailpieces with excess lift.

curtisongs · Post by **curtisongs** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 11:38 am

Just when I get over the tail lift issue another thread appears.
Got to admit it does bother me.
My 4001V63 plays and sounds great with D'Addario Chromes, ECB81 High Finish Ribbon Wound Soft Gauge.
.045 .065 .080 .100.
Do any of you use these?
Has anyone used only Rickenbacker strings and still had tail lift?
I'd sure like to know how it would sound with the tailpiece making full contact with the body.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 12:16 pm

Lots of us like Chromes, me included!

jps · Post by **jps** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 12:36 pm

I think I got everybody here addicted to Chromes! I use the Super Soft set and replace the .060 D string with a single .055.

bassbob · Post by **bassbob** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:13 am

I like them, alot.

lucky · Post by **lucky** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 1:39 am

Just had the tailpiece on my 4003 drilled for the two extra screws,big thanks to Gary Clauson for the template and now no more tail lift and no more worrying about it either.

silverjet89 · Post by **silverjet89** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 11:44 am

My lift is almost 1/8". It doesn't seem to be causing a problem yet but I would like to keep it from getting worse.
Where, exactly do you put the 2 extra screws? The tail piece already has 2 between the bridge and the string holes. I think it would look pretty ****** with 2 more screws way to the back.

bassbob · Post by **bassbob** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 2:51 pm

I don't think it looks ****** but, I did opt for a new 5screw tailpiece and chromes to cure my taillift problem

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 4:11 pm

A suggestion to Gary - consider posting the template with a 1" square and a 25mm square on the picture also, then people can play with it on a photocopier or printer until the size is right. Or not.

silverjet89 · Post by **silverjet89** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 6:13 pm

"I don't think it looks ****** but, I did opt for a new 5screw tailpiece and chromes to cure my taillift problem"

My tailpiece does have 5 screws. It looks about the same as the current 4003 tailpiece. I think I'm misunderstanding where you guys are putting the extra screws. Do you actually end up with 7 screws?
I don't recall ever seeing a Rick with less than 5 screws in the tailpiece.

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 6:34 pm

With the first 4003 basses, there were 7 screw tailpieces. This pic shows 2 extra screws on the end chrome of the tailpiece. It is from Jeff Rath's website.

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/3-4003d5sharp.jpg

Some have added those 2 extra screws using the template I talked about in my previous post.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 7:21 pm

John, I must have sent the wrong picture at some point, because I do have one with a ruler in it:

My sincerest apologies to anyone I sent the wrong version of the template to!

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 7:26 pm

Gary, I never got it (didn't ask!) but with all the requests lately, we can now just point them here. Good show!