Substandard bridge

[johnallg]

H-I-P-S-H-O-T

Got one, tried it, didn't like the sound and look..... My opinion only.

[ken_j]

I had the opposite problem on my '91 V63. The screw holes were so high on the saddle that the screw was arched upward at the saddle when the bridge was assembled. You could not turn the screw without removing the bridge from the bass and putting it in a vise. My remedy was to remove the saddles, and elongated holes with a file vertically in the bridge (all 8 holes, 4 front & 4 rear). I then turned the bridge around. This way what was originally the countersunk hole were facing the mute pad. I then installed the saddles to the proper string position with socket head cap screws. The strings held the saddle down against the bridge and I was able to easily adjust the intonation with a ball ended Allen wrench. The modification process only took a few minutes and only required a small rat-tail file to perform. I did add springs to the bridge as the V63 didn't come with them. There was no buzzing or unwanted noises when completed.

[nukebass]

This is a standard part on a $2000 instrument ...

[VRICKY63]

Im glad somebody else said it first " HIPSHOT " !!!!!!! Free yourself for cryin out loud !

[aceonbass]

I'd no sooner put a Hipshot bridge on my Rick than DiMarzio pickups. What RIC is going to replace the 4003 tailpiece with wouldn't look right on a V63/C64 bass anyway.Then again, not being mechanically challenged, I've modded my standard 4001/03 tailpieces to work properly while still looking stock. Besides, these tailpieces violate RIC's trademark by copying the shape of RIC's part....one more reason for me not to give them my money for this part. Hipshot makes a really nice replacement for the three point bridge on a Gibson bass without looking anything like the original.

[antipodean]

Fair enough, but....

The issue with making a drop-in replacement for the 4001/3 tailpiece (not a direct copy like the Allparts travesty) is dealing with the mute rout. Almost any replacement I've seen either is ugly as any euphemism you can concoct or bears some resemblance to the Ric original. The Hipshot has some shortcomings, but it has some significant advantages over the stock bridge to compensate.

The fact that some Ric parts are not meeting customer requirements is a cause for concern. If this happened on another brand bass of similar price, we'd all be pounding the "crummy quality control" drum so loud you wouldn't be able to hear yourself think. The response to the problem from customer service isn't exactly optimal either, but no-one's perfect, nor is any policy.

[cassius987]

My 4003 built in 2007 has this problem, and quite severely. My 4003FL built in 2008 is okay so far, but it took my first 4003 a month or two for the problem to set in.

[johnallg]

One saddle on my 2004 has this.

[rickenbrother]

There are several people who put a Hipshot replacement bridge on their 4003 thinking it would be much better, only to find that they didn't like it and reinstalled the original bridge/tailpiece.
Besides being an infringement on a RIC trademarked shape. some people like these replacements, but they are not for everyone.

[Darthbass]

There are several people who put a Hipshot replacement bridge on their 4003 thinking it would be much better, only to find that they didn't like it and reinstalled the original bridge/tailpiece.
Besides being an infringement on a RIC trademarked shape. some people like these replacements, but they are not for everyone.

In all honesty I think the whole poo-poo the hipshot argument cause its a "trademark infringement" is getting a bit stale. We are talking about an expensive boutique quality bass here folks and if I buy something, I own it. If Ric cant cut it quality control or customer service wise, well then they should just get out of the customers way and let them find a product that does cut it. The hipshot outperforms the stock bridge in ease of intonation, adjustability, and sustain. But it looks like **** compared to the stock bridge (imo) and some have had issues with strings wobbling in the saddles. I would strongly suggest that if someone is having problems with one of these bridges, they should give the other a shot....

.....Far more people who try the hipshot leave it on and never look back than those who reinstall the stock bridge.

Dont get me wrong I respect the purists position, heck im one of them- but their is something to be said for function over form. The pictures posted on this thread of bridge issues are just unacceptable brand loyalty is a two way street.

[johnallg]

Dennis, it is not the purist position that causes the posts about infringement, it is the fact that the Hipshot bridges are a trademark infringement. No one's opinion here changes that fact.

[antipodean]

Dennis, it is not the purist position that causes the posts about infringement, it is the fact that the Hipshot bridges are a trademark infringement. No one's opinion here changes that fact.

But they're still being sold, which I find puzzling, given RIC's vigorous defence of its trademarks. That suggests that one of the following is true:

1) Hipshot has come to some licencing agreement or other arrangement with RIC, which makes the article legit;
2) RIC has not sought or has been unable to gain an injunction on Hipshot, which, if true, would suggest that the article isn't as much of a trade-mark travesty as may be thought;
3) The matter is the subject of ongoing negotiation, mediation or litigation - a slow and torturous process to be sure. However this indicates that certain issues regarding RIC's trademark and the Hipshot article remain unresolved.

Food for thought?

[rickenbrother]

Dennis, it is not the purist position that causes the posts about infringement, it is the fact that the Hipshot bridges are a trademark infringement. No one's opinion here changes that fact.

+1
If Hipshot came up with their own shape for the replacement bridge, there would not be an infringement issue.

[johnallg]

Evan, JH has posted that Hipshot has been contacted and cannot make any more. They are supposedly only selling existing stock.

[antipodean]

Evan, JH has posted that Hipshot has been contacted and cannot make any more. They are supposedly only selling existing stock.

Wow, that's a gentle and understanding approach!