83 4002 tailpiece

[jdogric12]

Hi gang. Quick question, an '83 4002 would have had a 7-screw tailpiece from the factory, correct? If I peek in there, I can see the extra holes. That would have been stock, right? Thanks, J

[86kubicki]

Not sure when they switched to the 7 screw bridge, but my '82 4002 is the 5 screw model. J-dog, wasn't your 4002 the one that had a wacky non-Rick bridge on it at one point?

[jdogric12]

Yes, that's the one, Steve. It was formerly owned by our own Woody, and directly before me by Ken S. I believe it had routing for a Stars bridge (?) and had a RIC tailpiece put back on sometime before I got it. It probably got the Pickguardian 4002 pg and HB1's at the same time.

[ajish4]

My 84 4003 & my 88 V63 both have 7 screws it that's any help Jdog.

[jdogric12]

Thanks Tony. My old 85 and 88 had them, and the 81 that I have (but not for long) has it, so I think it's safe to go ahead and put it on. I've bought the one from Jake B. for this. I'll post some pics of the surgery next week!

[woodyng]

when i sold the bass to ken,it had a flat fender-esque type of bridge on it that, while plain-looking,functioned very well. i never took it off,so not sure of the manufacturer. it did have the outline of the original bridge,so i thought it was a drop-in....

[jdogric12]

What's odd is, there is an outline remaining currently, about 1/4" (about 6 mm) outside of the current RIC tailpiece that is on it. Hmm. I mean, HUNH?

[jdogric12]

Yo gang.

Are the 2 extra screws on a 7-screw tailpiece identical to the first 5 in threading and length?

If so, I need two. Thanks! J

[rickaddict]

Yo gang.

Are the 2 extra screws on a 7-screw tailpiece identical to the first 5 in threading and length?

If so, I need two. Thanks! J

They're longer than the other five, 'cuz they have a whole lot more thickness to anchor back there.

Ummm, Jason....Not that I'm an originality freak or anything...I'm a big fan of the two extra screws...but I'm pretty sure no 4002's had a 7 screw tail.

Old rods + skunk stripe = not meant for round wounds = 5 screw tail.

The 4003's and V63's from the 80's are a different story.

Not trying to be a tool (although sometimes it accidentally just happens ).

I guess maybe I should have found this thread earlier!

Let me know if you want me to remove and measure one of the rear screws from one of my 7 screw tails.

[jdogric12]

Good point, Jeff. I had not thought it through that well. If it is easy to measure the screws without detuning, etc., yes, please, that would be great! Thanks, J

[rickaddict]

Will do, captain! It might take a day or two though.

[johnallg]

I thought they were the same size? That is what I used on my BT tailpiece when I added the 2 extra screws, and they work fine. Remember to drill a decent pilot hole so as not to split maple. I went to the local hardware store and got same sized stainless screws.

[jdogric12]

Actually, the holes are already there. That's what started me thinking I should try it. As luck would have it, though, I probably won't be playing the 4002 so much now... got a better bass in the stable now...

[rickaddict]

Actually, the holes are already there. That's what started me thinking I should try it. As luck would have it, though, I probably won't be playing the 4002 so much now... got a better bass in the stable now...

A better bass? What could possibly be "better" than the omnipotent 4002?

[rickaddict]

I thought they were the same size? That is what I used on my BT tailpiece when I added the 2 extra screws, and they work fine. Remember to drill a decent pilot hole so as not to split maple. I went to the local hardware store and got same sized stainless screws.

I've found that not all of my Rick tails have the same screws. Some have a slightly different thread type from others. Some of my 5 screw tails have the front three different from the back two. Most, if not all of my 7 screw tails have the back two slightly longer than the front five.

But I have 7 screw tails from 1987 (on a 4003) to 2000 (on a 4003S/5), and as with most things RIC...life is like a box of chocolates!