4003 tailpiece question

ealdrett · Post by **ealdrett** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:47 am

I have noticed that there are some 4003 tailpieces that have two screws on the end. While the majority of 4003 basses or newer factory tailpieces do not, I was curious as to which model and year basses have the factory installed tailpiece that utilizes the two screws. I assume this is to prevent tail lift.

Off the top of my head I can only think of the tuxedo.

Sorry if this has been discussed before.

Thanks guys.

heinpete · Post by **heinpete** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 8:03 am

Your assumption was right. This tailpiece was used on the early 4003 and the 4003/5 and 4003/8.
End of the '80ies it disappeared and was replaced by the current one which is slightly improved(strengthened in some "rails" in the underside. However the Hipshot is still superior in function and sound, but much more heavy (the brass one).
More details you can find in the rick resouce homepage where the history of the basses is displayed.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 10:09 am

Rickenbacker put the 2 extra screws in from the factory for a while in the 80s but people complained about the way it looked ... myself I prefer the 2 extra screws look and strength ...

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 11:35 am

RIC started putting the two extra holes in the tail when the 4003 was introduced in 1980 and continued until 1988 or '89. I have two '87's and an '88 that have them.

ealdrett · Post by **ealdrett** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:47 am

Thanks guys, I appreciate the input.
Now I just need to find a beaten '88 JG 4003 and then I'll be in business.

One question though, there is a 1989 4003s MGBT on the bay right now and it doesn't have the two screw tailpiece. Belongs to forumite Ben Brown. I assume this is when they transitioned?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rickenbacker-1989-4003S-Bass-Maple-Glo-Black-Trim_W0QQitemZ180159104644QQihZ008QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:48 am

Roughly around that time, Ed. Nice to see you around again!

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:39 pm

On the subject of the two extra screws....After converting the bass neck of my double neck Ricky back from 5 to four strings(I just couldn't deal with the tight spacing)I noticed that the sound didn't kick me back and resonate through the instrument the way it had when it was a 5 string. Now the only differences after converting it back was the lack of an extra tuner and string, a bridge made of brass and two extra screw holes in the tailpiece. I couldn't see how the extra string alone had done it and I don't have a four string bridge machined from brass, so even though my tailpiece was flat, I decided to add the extra screws. Now that "kick" is back. I can feel the neck resonating much more with each note too. Even though the tailpiece was flat, it lacked the positive clamping force to the body in the crucial area right where the strings terminate. I believe the string vibrations are transmitted much more effectively at this point and would add the two screws to any of the three or five screw diecast zinc tailpieces.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:27 pm

I also noticed that a 4003 with 2 extra screws and a 5th string will resonate better than a stock 4003 ...

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 3:05 pm

this bass here has no tail lift at all ...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rickenbacker-4003-Bass-1997_W0QQitemZ290161621167QQihZ019QQcategoryZ2384QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

ealdrett · Post by **ealdrett** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 2:48 pm

JB,
Thanks! Glad to slowly come back.
I guess this applies to 4001 models too? I've seen some on gbase that have the two screw tailpiece.