Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I made several changes at the same time including the bridge, VVT controls and the toasters so it is difficult to say, although the bass retained all it's RICness and then some. As Chris Pappas and it's current owner can attest to, the bass sounds awesome.

Fran, if you have to calculate string tensions, this site may help:

http://www.kennaquhair.com/ustc.htm

I've had pyramids on my bass for 4 years next month! The tailpiece is fine. It hasn't lifted.

Lucky you, Timothy! What kind of Rick are you using?

I have them on three 4003's right now with no problems and two of them have had them for over two, maybe three years now and they are the best sounding strings I've ever used also and I've tried almost every flatwound out there except for LaBella. The Pyramids are not even that high in tension, if you want high tension try Fender SS flats. I have a theory that the higher you set the bridge the higher the angle will be behind it putting more upward pull on the back of the tailpiece which will pull it up more quickly. I've used some heavy tension strings before on 4001's too. I usually have my bridge set low and have had no more than slight tailpiece lift. You can also add two screws like the early 4003's had, those never lift at all.

I have a 4003.

How low is your bridge Timothy? How much of the allen screws are showing above the bridge?

Interesting stuff folks! The Pyramids may be worth the risk. I'll try them on one of my Fenders first, and if they feel too stiff, they won't be going on the V63. Expensive experiment though!

"How much of the allen screws are showing above the bridge?"

10/64ths bass side.
12/64ths treble side.

The back of bridge is about 2/64ths off the body.

I had two V63's and used med gauge Fender SS flatwounds on both of them, those things make Pyramids feel like elastic bands. If the Fenders didn't make the tailpieces lift nothing would have.
It is a matter of taste, Pyramids are stiffer than TI's for example but for me they are not stiff at all, in fact sometimes I wish they were a little stiffer. The stiffer a string is the better it is for fast finger plucking I feel. Most tailpieces lift a little bit, I think I have only two Rics out of 7 with no tailpiece lift, my 72 which was made out of a different metal and has only three screws and my 81 4003 which has 7 screws. the others all have a little lift in them but nothing to worry about.

I've never seen one to my knowledge that didn't have some degree of tailpiece lift. Like Bob said, it's nothing to worry about.