What's wrong with my Bridge?

[iiipopes]

If it were me I would do nothing about it.

Agree.

Also agree.

[jps]

If it were me I would do nothing about it.

Agree.

Also agree.

Same here. Nothing wrong with your string spacing.

[aceonbass]

I think it's more important the strings be lined up relative to the edges of the fingerboard too,and most of the Ricks I've seen are aligned that way, but at the same time I've seen a LOT of tailpieces mounted too far forward to intonate properly, or to one side (with the string notches offset in the saddles). Providing the routes won't be uncovered, I peg the screw holes, move the tailpiece over or back, then re-drill the holes. At this time I replace and re-slot the saddles. I've also had a few pickguards mounted crooked or to one side so the strings wouldn't pass over the center of the poles, so I've pegged the holes, positioned the guard properly, and re-drilled the mounting holes. My eye goes right to this sort of thing, so even though it's not broken and only a cosmetic thing, I'd correct it.

[Baker69]

I think it's more important the strings be lined up relative to the edges of the fingerboard too,and most of the Ricks I've seen are aligned that way, but at the same time I've seen a LOT of tailpieces mounted too far forward to intonate properly, or to one side (with the string notches offset in the saddles). Providing the routes won't be uncovered, I peg the screw holes, move the tailpiece over or back, then re-drill the holes. At this time I replace and re-slot the saddles. I've also had a few pickguards mounted crooked or to one side so the strings wouldn't pass over the center of the poles, so I've pegged the holes, positioned the guard properly, and re-drilled the mounting holes. My eye goes right to this sort of thing, so even though it's not broken and only a cosmetic thing, I'd correct it.

As it is, I feel perhaps the G string in particular is too close to the edge of the fingerboard due to the 'throw' that the off-set saddle groove is creating.

I would agree with you in that I like for things to look correct, i.e. with the strings evenly spaced between the mute guides and directly over the pickup poles, but I understand the comments others have given in that it may have been done that way for a purpose, i.e. to make the strings align correctly along the length of the neck. It isn't harming anything and I only really noticed this by accident, to correct this issue cosmetically is going to cost me £ 90 for a repalcement Ric saddle unit, I just have to weigh up exactly how important an issue this is as to whether it warrants spending that much money on something that works perfectly well. What's the old saying - "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"?

Thanks everyone for all your advice to date!

[aceonbass]

You wouldn't need a whole bridge in any case. You can buy the saddles separately. A trick I've used when all four saddles need to be replaced due to string alignment, is to make the G saddle reusable by rounding off the top edge till the slot disappears. This can also be done with the D saddle if it hasn't been notched too deeply. Flipping the saddles around doesn't work because your intonation "witness" point becomes too far off to set intonation.

[Baker69]

You wouldn't need a whole bridge in any case. You can buy the saddles separately. A trick I've used when all four saddles need to be replaced due to string alignment, is to make the G saddle reusable by rounding off the top edge till the slot disappears. This can also be done with the D saddle if it hasn't been notched too deeply. Flipping the saddles around doesn't work because your intonation "witness" point becomes too far off to set intonation.

Good idea, I have just seen the individual saddles on E-Bay - £ 11.50 each + postage.

I don't think any of the existing saddles are re-usable, they would probably look a mess cutting another groove along side the existing one, a couple of the slots are fairly deep so I don't think that would work. Best option is to buy new blank saddles.

Thanks for your suggestions and ideas.

[heinpete]

Be aware that the current saddles don't match on a 4001 and early 4003 bridge!!!

[aceonbass]

The current saddles will fit any non cast aluminum Rick bass bridge. For a time they didn't fit because the saddle screw hole was drilled 1mm too low, but that problem has been solved.