4001 4003 replacement bridge

loverickbass · Post by **loverickbass** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 7:49 am

Any NAMM pics yet?

Cole

djm150 · Post by **djm150** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:47 pm

hi all. i should get my bass back from the namm show tomorrow. i will post pics of the bridge as soon as i get it back. in answer to a previous question, the original prototype bridge i received from HS was made from using my 76 ibanez 4000, but it installed perfectly on my 4003 rickenbacker bass. it mounted perfectly using the original ric screw holes. i sold the ric, kept ibanez, but before i did i exchanged both bridges. the ric fit perfectly on the ibanez, the ibanez fit perfectly on the ric. heck the 76 ibanez even had the patented ric "rear bridge lift". since both bridges swapped perfectly, mounting holes were not a concern. however the second prototype i got had totally different mounting holes, something that i expressed my concern about as far as having a drop in, exact footprint bridge. it went back to HS and i have seen nothing since. i'll know tomorrow..... david

jps · Post by **jps** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 5:09 pm

Thanks for that!

djm150 · Post by **djm150** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 2:45 pm

Hi all. Tada or oops! I got my bass back today from Hipshot with their new ric 4000 replacement bridge. It seems little if anything had changed from the second prototype I received. The one I currently have is chrome plated brass and looks identical to the bridge pic previously posted on this forum. I was surprised to see only two mounting screws, but they do mount into the existing bridge screw holes. I would have liked to have seen at least one more if not two more mounting screw holes. As far as installation the bridge could have been installed using the two outer screw holes and then a simple matter of drilling two holes in between the outer ones to have a more secure attachment, especially if you are tuning BEAD like I do. The bridge looks good, but is not parallel to the rear pickup mounting plate and thus is not accurately aligned on my bass. I had suggested that the grooves in the baseplate be made symmetrical by having the saddle grooves in two pairs on the outer edges of the plate as opposed to the spacing shown in the picture. Also I had suggested a carving out of the rear portion of the bridge to more emulate the original and hide the eight holes that are currently on the back of the bridge. It intonates properly and there is ample height adjustment for any style of playing. This bridge renders an INCREDIBLE amount of sustain. My bass sounds like a totally different instrument. The tone is rounder, stronger, fuller, brighter, and I was able to get my open A string to sustain for about three full minutes! All in all I think it's a good first effort but could use a little more refinement. I am not sure how many pics I can post at once so I will make several posts of different views for those that might be interested.....david

djm150 · Post by **djm150** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 2:49 pm

hi all. another pic of the HS bridge

thx1955 · Post by **thx1955** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 3:09 pm

Very interesting David, looking forward to seeing more !!

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 3:10 pm

does it come in a five string version with 2 1/4" string spacing?

djm150 · Post by **djm150** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 2:49 am

more bridge pics

djm150 · Post by **djm150** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 2:52 am

another hs bridge pic

beatlefan · Post by **beatlefan** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 3:10 am

$$$$ ?

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 3:46 am

Someone at the Dudepit said they were $145.

beatlefan · Post by **beatlefan** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 4:00 am

That's reasonable for what it is....

I need to do a "project" bass with some mods....

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 4:02 am

I kinda like the bridge ... but a 4 string bass is useless to me ... can I get that without the holes drilled so I can drill my own and put in my own saddles? then I can do a 5 string bridge with 2 1/4" spacing ...

that would be major cool ...

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 4:03 am

Since I have no real issues with the stock bridge and prefer it's looks over the Hipshot I'll stick with what I have.

lars · Post by **lars** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 4:43 am

This is very interesting David. I see you also use the "Pickguardian" bridge pu surround.