4-screw tailpieces

phlemmy · Post by **phlemmy** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 6:18 am

When did Ric stop using them?

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 6:41 am

I think you mean the 3 screw bass tailpieces that were standard in the 60s ... my 1968 4001 had one of them and never pulled up even a fraction of a millimeter ...

by 1973 they were using the 5 screw tailpieces ... and in the 80s 7 screw tailpieces made their appearance ... currently the 4000 series comes with 5 screw tailpieces ...

phlemmy · Post by **phlemmy** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 6:44 am

I don't know what I mean!

The tailpiece with the 2 added screws like this one:
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i27/acacia70/bass/whatyear.jpg

I just bought this and the seller said it was a 2004, but it looks older to me (headstock/body).

leftyguitars · Post by **leftyguitars** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 7:38 am

Very pretty Sean.

squirefan01 · Post by **squirefan01** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 8:08 am

Looks like just what you were looking for Sean. Nice!

lars · Post by **lars** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 8:10 am

You mean 7 screws, I think...
What a pretty bass!!!

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 11:34 am

there are 4 screws showing and 3 more under the bridge on that black bass ... so yes that bass actually has 7 screws holding the bridge down ...

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 11:41 am

here's one with 5 holes ...

phlemmy · Post by **phlemmy** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 12:05 pm

So by your thoughts, what's the latest age you think this bass may be?

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 12:30 pm

They stopped those around 1985-86 as far as I know. I liked them. The body shape on that one does look like a relatively new one though. If it's stock it can't be any newer than the 80's, some people here have added the two screws on their own though.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 2:41 pm

That bass was built between 1997 and 2002 ... look at the headstock shape and the body wing shape and the black trim ... the 2 extra screw holes were added later or it has a mid 80s black tailpiece on it ...

phlemmy · Post by **phlemmy** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 3:31 pm

Many thanks.

phlemmy · Post by **phlemmy** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 2:37 am

According to the serial number, it's February 04. Odd that the 2 screws were needed on a bass that new.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 3:15 am

the black trim tailpieces seem to be weaker than the chrome ones ... actually I am suprised that an 04 would have black body binding ... I thought they discontinued it in 02 ...

phlemmy · Post by **phlemmy** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 3:19 am

Maybe this was a "made for japan" model.