Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Excellent news!

Thanks, John....

Im not really in the market for a replacement, but I'd just like to say "Thanks" to John for the info.

Something to definatley check out.

To quote Led Zeppelin(I believe it's John Bonham saying"Where's that confounded bridge?"

Now I'm all excited about Rickenbacker's for next year. I sense ordering my first 4003.

I want the replacement.. I don't like the tailpiece now. They better get rid of that damn mute! I feel like ordering a 4003 too.. hehe.

I feel like ordering a 4003 too, but I'll probably have to settle for a replacement bridge for my '03 Monty Brown 4003.


And I think it was Robert Plant looking for "that confounded bridge".

Now if they provide vintage horseshoe pickups...

Patience!

here is a new pic of the 4003FLV

Details, details!

I like the old 'shoe' surround. I want a Rick bass with dual toasters!

Here's hoping the official RIC bridge will be a bit less weighty than the hipshot... but the chances of it coming in black seem pretty remote, seeing as RIC discontinued black hardware some time ago. (My black hipshot looks very much like Darth Vader's head when I look down at it while playing.) And three cheers if the new RIC bridge will eliminate the need for routing for the mute cavity on new model 4003's (the less wood removed in the critical bridge-to-neck sustain zone, the better, IMO.)
Why did hipshot abandon casting the bridge in aluminum? That definately would haved made it lighter...probably because aluminum is hard to chrome plate.

Brass is also a purer tone I guess . . . aluminum might make it sound too tinny.

I remember seeing an ad/New Products listing in Guitar Player back in the mid-late 80's for a replacement bridge that was designed to fit in the existing Ric tailpiece. Each saddle was individually adjustable. Anyone else recall this product?

Well I really, really like the old bridge. I have now owned seven Rics and apart from two of them not quite hitting the intonation on the 'E', though very close, and a couple lifting a tad, I think they are great.

I think they looked retro before the word was even thought of. Unless the new ones improve the tone or playability dramatically I wont be changing mine.

To my eyes the Ric bridge is an important feature of the brand. If I had to place distinguishing features in order I would probably say body shape, head shape, TRC shape and logo, bridge, shark tooth inlays and bridge P/U surround/cover.

On the other hand…. If the new bridge looked almost identical to the old one with no intonation or lifting issues, then that would be a big improvement IMHO.

I think it would be difficult to make the bridge look the same and offer much greater range of adjustability. I have to agree with Jeff Rath that the mute assembly gets in the way of some modern and not so modern playing styles. I got the Hipshot because it answers these issues very nicely and it does look good. I think some have issues with it's looks because the mute structure is missing and are used to seeing that. I look forward to seeing what John has up his sleeve!