Rickenbacker 4003 - Bridge Oddity

henny · Post by **henny** » Sun Mar 28, 2004 4:04 am

I've noticed an oddity with my 1983' 4003JG bridge - Serial is #WD530.

It's got two screws at the bottom of it, which go into the wood. The screws are not modded, it is the way that the bridge is made.

I've not seen any other 4003 with a bridge like this before. Could it be a bridge from another manufacturer, namely Ibanez? Appreciate if you could shed any light on it. Regards, Mark.

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Sun Mar 28, 2004 4:21 am

Those screws are there to prevent the rear of the bridge from pulling up. It seems to be a common problem with some Rick basses. I would think it came from the factory with them.

henny · Post by **henny** » Sun Mar 28, 2004 4:40 am

Aha, thanks.

henny · Post by **henny** » Sun Mar 28, 2004 4:46 am

Ah! Just looked at the Rick diagrams online. Seems that it matches the 8-string bridge,
(it being the only one with the screws.)

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Sun Mar 28, 2004 6:39 am

Any early 4003 (from ca 1980 to the mid 80's) has those extra screws.
I can see you've installed a replacement treble pickup on your 4003. Did you replace the original pickup surround as well? The one in the picture does look to be from a horseshoe pickup.

henny · Post by **henny** » Sun Mar 28, 2004 8:38 am

I recieved the bass with a new Seymour-Duncan set. The surround is how it was when I got it. What would the proper surround look like?

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Sun Mar 28, 2004 11:22 am

Unless the surround has been turned around, its front flange (the flat portion with the small fixing screws) should be wider, and the cut-out or recess on the adjoining vertical portion of the surround should be shorter. Can you post a full pic of the top of the instrument? I'm just curious.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sun Mar 28, 2004 12:48 pm

Hi Mark, I have an 81 with a 7 hole tail piece and had an 84 with the same thing, when they made the first 4003's that was one of the changes, it's a stock tail piece. BTW I have those SD pickups, a stock Ric will sound better. And I believe that whoever installed the SD pickup turned the surround around, because they came with a big black surround. Do you also have the matching neck SD pickup? Those Really s##k.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Sun Mar 28, 2004 10:55 pm

Hey Mark,
Check out this thread.
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henny · Post by **henny** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 2:59 am

Ah, cheers Paul. Very informative. Yup, Bob - I've got the SD set. They work at least.

I'll refit it soon enough, meanwhile I'm gigging with a 70's recording Les Paul, so for the time being the Rick's "in overhaul"
(new saddles, strings, pickups, general cleanup.) What kit would you recommend? I'm not hasty about spending some cash on it. Maybe toasters as a possible upgrade?

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 12:16 pm

That surround is strange huh? It looks a lot better than the black original one though.
I like both toasters and high gains Mark, I like high gains in the new postion and toasters in the old position, is only the looks for me, nothing to do with the sound. I've never heard a toaster in the new position 1/2" farther from the neck.
I would have to switch them in and out of the same guitar to really judge the difference in sound. Some people here have, anyone? To me the toasters are more boomy, less top but that probably has more to do with placement than the design. I had a 75 4001 with a high gain in the old position and it sounded very similiar to a toaster for me.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 12:18 pm

BTW you should have a two piece pick guard on that bass.

m_cuffa · Post by **m_cuffa** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 5:07 pm

yeah, my brother's 84 4003 has the extra screws as well.