Substandard bridge

[rickfan60]

I'll bet these newer saddles would sit perfect in the older 70's-80's bridges.

Nope. Tried that. The hole is not in the right place for the saddle to sit flat.

[aceonbass]

Ya, I kinda figured that out after thinking about it. I've also noticed that the threaded hole in the saddles is not perfectly centered either. You'd think there would be some kind of precision jig to hold these while being drilled and tapped.

[rickfan60]

Yes, I noticed that too.

[cassius987]

I used wax paper somewhat copiously under the saddles and after 4-5 days I think it expanded and filled in a lot of the space. At first it wasn't stopping the clanky/buzzy sounds but now they are mostly vanished.

[paul_yan]

Hey Ted, nice to see you again.!

[rickenbrother]

Guys, one thread on the bridge topic has been edited and locked due to rude comments.

If you would like to see this thread continue, I discourage posting any more rude or denigrating comments.

[sloop_john_b]

I would have given the Hipshot a try by now if not for the "no mute" thing. I still use the mute quite a bit, especially for recording.

[johnallg]

I would have given the Hipshot a try by now if not for the "no mute" thing. I still use the mute quite a bit, especially for recording.

http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2533&hl=

I have a Hipshot aluminum if you're interested.

[rickaddict]

Guys, one thread on the bridge topic has been edited and locked due to rude comments.

If you would like to see this thread continue, I discourage posting any more rude or denigrating comments.

Atta boy, Joey!

Instead of whining incessantly about Rick's bridge, I chose to find a way to make it work. It didn't take much time or effort and all of mine work like they were meant to. Much less time and effort, in fact than some people invest in whining.

True, the 4003 bridge ain't perfect. So I dealt with it and then I moved on.

I'm going home to PLAY my Rick now.

[cassius987]

Instead of whining incessantly about Rick's bridge, I chose to find a way to make it work. It didn't take much time or effort and all of mine work like they were meant to. Much less time and effort, in fact than some people invest in whining.

Why can't we just reach a middle ground here? We know the stock bridge not perfect--at least some of the ones that have been made recently--and we know that the Hipshot is not Ras Tafari Himself either. Saying someone is a "whiner" because they are having trouble with the stock bridge is just being rude, though. If it's your only 4003 (not all of us buy 100 of them*) and you suddenly can't play your favorite bass for all the clickety-clack, going through lengthy periods of experimental repair is no fun. People who experience that have a right to their opinions and their voices, while maintaining a respectful tone towards all other parties including RIC.

Let's get over "us and them" syndrome here. None of us can change RIC's protocols by griping about this, but we shouldn't just start drinking poison kool-aid either. If anything I appreciate that people like Dane are speaking up about successful mods they have done; Rickaddict, if you want to spell out how you "made it work" too that would be great. But there's nothing wrong with somebody who was basically forced into going Hipshot because they couldn't rely on the stock bridge either.

I'm just saying... we've gotta all be a little more diplomatic and maybe that will alleviate some people's problems, rather than dividing us into artificial enemy encampments.

Rant over.

*By the way, it's cool if you DO buy 100 of them over the years. I'm just not the kind of person that does that and that leaves me vulnerable to a breakdown if there is a shoddy part. I want my one 4003 to cover all of my 4003-based needs, essentially... same goes for my 4003FL. I don't feel like I should need more than one. I do admit though that if I were a full-time pro musician I would invest in 1-2 more of each model for spares.

[silverjet89]

I had this problem when I ordered some new saddles for my 4001. John Hall suggested KYNstick tape. It worked great. No problems since.
Here is the thread:
http://rickresource.com/forum/viewtopic ... 3&t=331481

[rickenbrother]

Why can't we just reach a middle ground here? We know the stock bridge not perfect--at least some of the ones that have been made recently--and we know that the Hipshot is not Ras Tafari Himself either. Saying someone is a "whiner" because they are having trouble with the stock bridge is just being rude, though. If it's your only 4003 (not all of us buy 100 of them*) and you suddenly can't play your favorite bass for all the clickety-clack, going through lengthy periods of experimental repair is no fun. People who experience that have a right to their opinions and their voices, while maintaining a respectful tone towards all other parties including RIC.

Let's get over "us and them" syndrome here. None of us can change RIC's protocols by griping about this, but we shouldn't just start drinking poison kool-aid either. If anything I appreciate that people like Dane are speaking up about successful mods they have done; Rickaddict, if you want to spell out how you "made it work" too that would be great. But there's nothing wrong with somebody who was basically forced into going Hipshot because they couldn't rely on the stock bridge either.

I'm just saying... we've gotta all be a little more diplomatic and maybe that will alleviate some people's problems, rather than dividing us into artificial enemy encampments.

There is s big difference between asking about and discussing an issue with the bridges, it's another to be blatantly or even subtly flaming RIC about it.
With the exception of a couple of posts, the discussion is fine, but in my opinion, the title of this thread is a denigrating swipe at RIC.

[tennis_nick]

but in my opinion, the title of this thread is a denigrating swipe at RIC.

How else would you describe a part that, from the factory, exhibits a design flaw?

[ben_brown]

but in my opinion, the title of this thread is a denigrating swipe at RIC.

How else would you describe a part that, from the factory, exhibits a design flaw?

+1

[admin]

Joey is right, the title of the thread suggests that there are different grades of stock bridges to chose from.

As this is not the case at present, the title of the thread should more properly be The Standard Bridge.

One may argue that the standard bridge has some features that are desirable and some that are not and that it could be improved. I ask, however, what exists in this world that cannot be improved in some way?

The present bridge quite simply remains the standard until another comes along. We will cross the next bridge when we get to it.