Did I really mess it up???

[Tylendal]

oops, i said 79, i meant 80, sorry
i just got my 4003, and i can see the tilt, plain as day, but on my 4001, the tilt is there, but it's almost imperceptible

[berth]

And yet again a mega bump.

Today I got MA010 back from my luthier. The quest for vintage aluminium sadles still has not ended. Meanwhile he put on a newer bridge. On my request he made a toothgap. He did this neater than I have ever seen on an original I guess. I was not happy with the Rickenbacker vintage nut which he installed a previous time (it was too wide for the neck). So a new nut was cut also. And now I have 2 playable '73's. This one has the nicest neck.

[aceonbass]

Original aluminum RIC bass saddles are impossible to find. What I do when I need saddles for an original old style aluminum insert adapt a set of new RIC bass saddles. Get zinc screws that are the close metric equivelent to the 4-40 threads in a new set of saddles. Jam the screws into the saddles where the adjuster screws go, and cut them off at both ends. File your work down smooth, then re-drill new holes in the correct locations. The new saddles are zinc and a bit angular compared to the original saddles, but they can be reshaped with a file, then polished to look pretty good.

[cjj]

Where do you find zinc screws?

[jingle_jangle]

Dane means zinc-plated, i.e., hardware store variety.

[cjj]

Ah, OK...

[aceonbass]

At least it said "zinc" at the hardware store. I say zinc because it's the same material as the saddles, but if you can't get zinc, then how about aluminum which is close.

[jingle_jangle]

"Zinc", on a package of fasteners, refers to plating.

Not strong enough for screws, generally.

Aluminum fasteners are for extremely low-torque applications, only (again, usually...). They corrode and strip out in no time.

You can buy them, though.

[berth]

Many thanks for al the good advice. If not helpfull for me, than certainly for someone else. It is appreciated anyway.

But I am quite happy with the newer bridge to be honest. It will only be replaced by the old one when I get fitting replacement saddles. It wasn't just the saddles by the way. The thing on which the saddles rest was attacked by a drilling machine by a previous owner so the holes for the screws are way too large also. This gave some anoying rattle.

[berth]

Now sold to another forumite.

[berth]

And bought back recently.

[Gilmourisgod]

Oh how I love the full width crushed pearl inlay + checkerboard. That's a nice old bass. Any sign of separation between body wings and neck? Looks good in the photos, so you got away with neck pup rout without weakening the neck beam into relief. Don't sell it! Restore the binding and it's golden.

[jingle_jangle]

Congrats! I know the two of you will be very happy together!

[bassduke49]

PAUL! Haven't seen you over here on the bass side in some time! Glad to see you back!