New 4003 MG in but...eek !! Panic sets in.....

[ram]

The little bumps (where the three screws pass thru) on the bottom of the tail piece not making contact with the ledge of the routed out section. The 'two screw' method might pull the tail piece back down but there is still no contact with the bumps and the body.

With the present set up the three screws are the only things doing vibration transfer to the body at that point. Shimming up or doing the washers would enhance the transfer.

I'm thinking that Ted's shim might even be enhanced to fit flush under that portion of the tail piece and have small custom relief for the bumps to nest in. Interesting exercise I may have to look into during my copious amount of free time.

[fireglo]

Could you tell a difference in the sound with the washers in place David?

[rickfan60]

On my '80 4001 the difference was night and day. The bass was always lacking in low end punch. For 25 years, it was always ungratifying when I played low on the E string. Firming up the bridge area made the difference. While playing with the acoustic coupling idea, I drilled out the tailpiece to let the adjusters sit directly on the wood just to see what would happen. That alone will fix the problem as long as the gap under the tailpiece is not too deep. Anything more than about 1/8" should be shimmed too. I have seen no evidence of the allen screws sinking into the wood since then. My playing style is a little heavy but there is no noticeable movement there.

[rokkitt]

On my '80 4001 the difference was night and day. The bass was always lacking in low end punch. For 25 years, it was always ungratifying when I played low on the E string. Firming up the bridge area made the difference. While playing with the acoustic coupling idea, I drilled out the tailpiece to let the adjusters sit directly on the wood just to see what would happen. That alone will fix the problem as long as the gap under the tailpiece is not too deep. Anything more than about 1/8" should be shimmed too. I have seen no evidence of the allen screws sinking into the wood since then. My playing style is a little heavy but there is no noticeable movement there.

thread resurrection!

uhmmm....so you guys "drilled" out two small holes so that the "allen height adjuster screws" make direct contact with the wood body of the instrument and "transfer" more sound?
wow.... and this is ON TOP of the washer/wood shim thing?

those two improvements seem like they would create a big difference. ( I would put some metal under there, to prevent the allen screws from digging into the wood )

BUT....the big question...
how does that mod on the factory equipment bridge, compare to the hipshot upgrade?
( I do like the looks of the hipshot for the adjustability of the intonation and string height , I have yet to get one and try it out )

Crazy, never knew about this mod, but it makes total sense.

so , this or hipshot? thoughts?

[johnallg]

Allen, drill the holes first. Fill the gap for the 3 screws with washers. Cheap, and if you like it and it gives you what you want then your home free.

[rokkitt]

Allen, drill the holes first. Fill the gap for the 3 screws with washers. Cheap, and if you like it and it gives you what you want then your home free.

it just freaks me out to drill the original bridge from 1988? hahaha

and, the allen screws wont dig into the wood underneath? really?

I might just go hipshot, but as I am buying new screws (my other goldbacker thread) and I have the bridge out to put new screw hardware in, I might just try it.

so, it is acceptable in the ric community to drill those holes in the bridge for the allen head screw height adjusters?

I guess the holes dont have to be that big....hmmmm

allen

[doctorwho]

... so, it is acceptable in the ric community to drill those holes in the bridge for the allen head screw height adjusters? ...

Obviously they are acceptable mods for those wanting to try to improve the sound, else they wouldn't be recommended. But I personally wouldn't necessarily recommend they be done on a Shadow, Blackstar, Redneck, or Tuxedo ...

[rokkitt]

... so, it is acceptable in the ric community to drill those holes in the bridge for the allen head screw height adjusters? ...

Obviously they are acceptable mods for those wanting to try to improve the sound, else they wouldn't be recommended. But I personally wouldn't necessarily recommend they be done on a Shadow, Blackstar, Redneck, or Tuxedo ...

tru tru....well, I am gonna give this a try

but we are in agreement. taking a drill to a 1 in 50 ever made ric would not be wise in my book either...

big al

[cheyenne]

Wait!!! I have a reeally nice Black brass Hipshot with chrome saddles for sale over in the "Second Strum" topic.

http://www.rickresource.com/phpBB3/view ... 9&t=394259

[cheyenne]

Actually its black aluminum, not brass.

[rokkitt]

taking a look...why the chrome saddles? where are the black saddles?

[cheyenne]

They could be black if you want. the Rick replacement and style A saddles are interchangable.

I thought the chrome on the Rick bridge looked a little more authentic. Take a look at your original Rick bridge, what color are the saddles?

[johnallg]

Al, the set screws that adjust the height of the bridge sit in a pocket in the tailpiece. I believe a 1/8" drill (IIRC) fits that diameter so the hole is tiny and covered by the bridge assy anyway. If you are worried about the set screw going into the maple, file the screw flat on that end. Metal over the maple would defeat the direct coupling to wood, but possible.

This "mod" came about because Bob Young (I believe) said his later 70s tailpiece had it and he thought it might be original. This was years ago so my remembering may be shady. Some of us tried it and reported our findings. The old thread(s) must exist somewhere in the annals of the past....