Stock bridge mod

[cassius987]

I'd like to modify my stock bridge to resemble a 4003S/5 stock bridge--i.e., no teeth. They get in the way of my palm muting and I've determined that my ability to do this is the ONLY reason I really like the Hipshot model over the stock bridge--other features, such as tone, are really unaffected by the change, except for a mild boost in lows from the HS. I have already modified my stock bridge in two ways for my 4003FL: I have hex bolt screws in the bridge now and on the mute assembly I replaced the knurled finger twist knobs with phillips bolts of an appropriate zinc origin. I'll return this to stock if I can make my tailpiece toothless. I just really want a better way to palm mute. It's a sound I find myself using a lot in certain situations, especially if I'm playing jazz or music of worship. Also, I've come to like the toothless look better, as on 4003S/5 basses.

Anybody? Is this mod possible without totally mangling the tailpiece?

By the way, I have about 3.5 hours of material recorded live on a Zoom H4 that features my 4003FL (double Toaster). It sounds INCREDIBLE. I've never heard a bass sound quite like this before. I hope to share some of these songs as soon as I can edit the files into individual tracks and remove the original material that isn't yet copyrighted.

[cjj]

I'd like to modify my stock bridge to resemble a 4003S/5 stock bridge--i.e., no teeth.

Anybody? Is this mod possible without totally mangling the tailpiece?

Absolutely! Whether or not you can do it yourself, of course, depends on what sort of tools you have and what your skill in using them is.

Myself, I'd take the tailpiece out and use my milling machine to cut the teeth off, but I doubt you have one of those lying around...

Since the tailpiece is cast zinc, it's fairly soft material, so it's not a real pain to work with. If you have some kind of small fine toothed saw (most hacksaw blades would be too wide, though you could do it with that cutting the first tooth off at an angle to get enough room for the rest), you can just cut them off. I'd leave them a bit high instead of trying to cut them flush. Then use a file to carefully cut them further until they are where you want.

Of course, you could just do it all with a file too, but it would take a while. In any case, taking your time and being very careful, you should be able to do it without making a huge mess...

Edit: I should mention, this will, of course, leave the places where you removed metal non-chrome plated. This shouldn't be a huge problem. You could get the whole thing replated, but that might cost more than it's worth.

[woodyng]

i won't comment on the bridge situation except to say it sounds like WAY more work than i would do,but am looking forward to hearing those fretless double toaster clips!

[teeder]

I would just go with the HS, and be done with it.

[cassius987]

I have a feeling I'd be better off just selling the stock tailpiece/bridge on eBay. But I'd really like to use it.

If I could get a 4003S/5 tailpiece, would my bridge fit in it? Is it the same tailpiece except for being toothless, or is it also bigger?

[cjj]

I have a feeling I'd be better off just selling the stock tailpiece/bridge on eBay. But I'd really like to use it.

If I could get a 4003S/5 tailpiece, would my bridge fit in it? Is it the same tailpiece except for being toothless, or is it also bigger?

I can't say for sure since I've never seen an S/5 bridge in person, but, from conversations I've had with Ric5, it sure sounds like the 4003S/5 just uses a stock version with the teeth cut off and a 5th hole to anchor the middle string. The bridge itself is different, having 5 saddles, but the tailpiece sounds like it's a standard one.

Hopefully someone who has both a 4003 and a 4003S/5 can comment and verify or dispel this theory...

[rickaddict]

If I could get a 4003S/5 tailpiece, would my bridge fit in it? Is it the same tailpiece except for being toothless, or is it also bigger?

Yes your bridge will fit on a stock S/5 tail piece.

I'm lucky enough to have an '89 S/5 in Ruby:

http://rickresource.com/register/user_i ... llsize.jpg

And a 2000 S/5 in MID:

http://rickresource.com/register/user_i ... llsize.jpg

Click your mouse on the photo for Mega Grande version. As you can see, the tail piece changed a bit over the years. (Look where the strings feed through the tail piece) I've even seen them without the extra two screws (bad idea). Basically the same piece as a 4003. Even the string holes are in the same place, but with an extra hole in the middle for the extra string. I have no photos to prove this, but I have just taken all the strings off my Ruby S/5 and dropped in a 4-string 4003 bridge to definitely confirm.

Thank you for helping me to procrastinate doing my laundry!

[rickfan60]

I've never done it but I think you would start by drawing a baseline across the bottoms of the string loops on both sides of the tail piece. This will show you how far to cut. Then rough cut the separators out leaving a little metal above the baseline. After that, very carefully grind the remaining stubs down the the baseline then smooth it across. The final step would be to take it to the plating shop.

[dog]

I have a feeling I'd be better off just selling the stock tailpiece/bridge on eBay. But I'd really like to use it.

If I could get a 4003S/5 tailpiece, would my bridge fit in it? Is it the same tailpiece except for being toothless, or is it also bigger?

You could get more for your Ric bridge/tailpiece assembly on ebay than a new HS will cost. Since a 5 string tailpiece is probably not available, it could be a long wait trying to find one. Ya know Josh, I'm pretty bold when it comes to working on my basses. But if I have to take a hack saw to the bridge, I would rather just buy a replacement.

[ramone57]

when I bought my 4003, the bridge had the mod you're asking about. this is the only pic I have of the bridge at the moment, hope it helps you in some small way.

[jaymi]

Go with the HS...you already know how they work since you have one...

[grazioso]

dremel and cutoff wheel and off those teeth go. why don't you get allparts/gotoh knockoff to do this mod on?