aceonbass wrote:I'm surprised someone would pay what a C64 costs and yet settle for something that doesn't look like it belongs .
I think it looks great, AND it gets rid of that whole mute contraption that I have absolutely no use for. It looks so good, it's got the folks at Ric working on taking action against Hipshot. I guess if you want the total vintage look it doesn't make sense, but I'm sure a lot of buyers just want a Ric with no binding/dots and a horseshoe. And the removal of the mute part is especially helpful with the horseshoe in place.
aceonbass wrote:I, nor my customers settle for rattling saddles on our RIC basses. That's why I fix them rather than spend money on an aftermarket part that doesn't seem to address all the problems these things have either.
Seems a bit odd to have to fix something right from the factory though, doesn't it? I don't see how the need for replacing the bridge reflects poorly on the bloke replacing it, rather than the company who issued it.
To think of all the times I've heard people complain about Gibson nuts, nobody points any fingers at the guy replacing it with a bone or graphite one!
I agree, a brand new part shouldn't need fixing, but if I had a problem with a brand new part, I'd call customer service, NOT complain about it on a public forum. I certainly wouldn't give my business to a company that infringes on RIC's trademarks, which is what the Hipshot does. Every other bridge they offer looks unique and unlike the one on the bass it's made for. In the case of the Rick bass, they copied the footprint so it would appeal to a bunch of people who traditionally DON'T like non stock looking parts. For the time they spent developing it, I don't think they built a better part. The problems it has, I can't fix, but the problems the stock part has, I can, and without attracting attention to the work. Every Rick bass I've seen on Ebay with a Hipshot on it sells for a lot less than it would if it didn't...except of course for the ones that include the original part in the case. I find it kinda humorous that some people won't modify the stock part for fear of decreasing the value of the bass, yet put on a Hipshot which ALWAYS does.
But surely, with a Hipshot the player has a choice. Keep the stock bridge for possible re-install later, or sell the stock bridge and possibly reduce the re-sale value of the bass (but have some cash from the sale of the stock bridge!). With a stock bridge modification only, the deed is done, there's no going back - unless a further un-modified stock bridge is purchased to sell the bass with!
It's a no-brainer for me. I deeply regret selling one of my basses with the Hipshot still attached (which didn't seem to affect the sale price at all - in fact it was a bit of a selling point!). These things are not easy to find in the UK.
Once I've modified the stock bridge and tailpiece assembly AND re-plated it, the parts works better and the mods are only detectable up close. I don't know why anyone would want to go back? When folks with Ricky 12's get Mark Arnquist to mod their instrument with a wider spaced nut and better intonating bridge, they don't want to go back or feel they've devalued their instrument. A Hipshot does not function or look better than this......
aceonbass wrote: A Hipshot does not function or look better than this......
That's a bit of a sweeping statement. In terms of function, in my experience, I have to disagree. In terms of look, again, in my opinion (and 'looks' can only be purely subjective) put me down as disagreeing again.
We will just have to agree to disagree on this one.
aceonbass wrote: A Hipshot does not function or look better than this......
That's a bit of a sweeping statement. In terms of function, in my experience, I have to disagree. In terms of look, again, in my opinion (and 'looks' can only be purely subjective) put me down as disagreeing again.
We will just have to agree to disagree on this one.
Sam, when Dane makes a modification, he doesn't fool around. His bridge functions very well. You'd have to try one or all of his basses to know what I mean. As far as the look, I prefer the original. It looks most "right" to me. Then again, I've never had an issue with the original bridge/tailpiece.
Most of you know that I use Dane's mod on one of my basses. I prefer it to the Hipshot. It accomplishes the same goal for me but it has been far more stable. I did write a review... I think I may post it soon.
Yes, I can appreciate the traditional look aesthetic, and am sure Dane is good at what he does, but I tend toward the bass-as-musical-instrument rather than bass-as-museum-piece, so I will probably never really feel the need to preserve the look of the instrument as originally factory intended (although, if acquiring a C64 or similar, then obviously part of the desire for any purchaser would be the authentic period touches, so wouldn't understand anyone making mods that couldn't be reversed). It's how it plays that matters to me, and the sleek profile of the Hipshot floats my boat (or at least floated my boat before it was sold on) from a playing/muting standpoint.
I could consider investigating the non-4001/4003 style basses - those without the pick-up cover (that gathers dust in a box somewhere in the attic) and a sensible bridge assembly - but financially I will just have to stick with what I've got for the moment....
I play the hell out of my basses. I got Dane to do the mod for me because I tried two Hipshots and they royally sucked. Otoh, Dane's mod was fine from the get-go, although I am having him rout a little more of the teeth.
I have played both. If Hipshots were as stable I'd prefer them over doing any mod but they're just not. Meanwhile Dane's mod accomplishes all the same goals of the Hipshot. It's a no-brainer for me.
How come I don't know of Dane's mod? I need to see a pic.
I just installed a hipshot on my 4003 and like it but, would prefer a Ric tailpiece. Only thing is, I'd probably buy a new one to make the mod and keep the original stock
I guess if you want the total vintage look it doesn't make sense, but I'm sure a lot of buyers just want a Ric with no binding/dots and a horseshoe. 
And the removal of the mute part is especially helpful with the horseshoe in place.
