Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

The footprint does not dictate at all how this part looks. I could easily design a completely different looking unit with the same functionality- could be triangular, rectangular, even quite sculptural. Something along the lines of the ABM or Schaller style would look great on the bass and not be at all infringing.

OK....I play 4004s anyway.

The Hipshot "A" style is a great swap on a 4004 BTW! The ABM is nice but I have come to appreciate the drop in string loading and the rock solid string spacing adjustments.

I agree with Gothbin. Maybe RIC should come up with their new bridge design. They announced it a while ago, but as yet, no forthcoming part. I'm sure they would clean up as most Ricky owners would like genuine RIC parts. I'm sure that would put a stop to Hipshot's 'replacement' altogether.
Or get together with Hipshot and endorse the bloody thing. Get some cash and no copyright infringements.
Maybe I'm just being naive??

To my eye the hipshot looks quite different from the real Ric part ... the bridge saddles are completely different and the complete lack of a mechanical mute is another major difference ... and it functions differently ... I would think trying to prove the hipshot bridge violates a trademark would be a difficult task ... it is a lot more like a musicman bridge than a ric bridge/tailpiece ... which brings up another point the Ric part is actually 2 different parts ... the hipshot isn't ...

the 2 main similarities are it has the same footprint and the same screw holes ... surely the footprint and screw holes aren't trademarked???

I brought up this point on another thread, about the footprint. I was told by JH that this is exactly what RIC are quibbling about.
I also think the Hipshot doesn't look anything like the Rickenbacker one. But in the end, it's not up to me I suppose.
As I said in my previous post, if RIC could just get their 're-designed' bass bridge to market then I don't think the trademark stuff would be an issue. Rick owners WANT Rick parts. We only buy the Hipshot because there is no decent alternative at the moment.
Oh well.....

So, would 4001/4003 basses with this Hipshot replacement bridge installed be pulled from ebay if RIC prevails in this case? If it is discontinued, would anyone selling a used Hipshot bridge themselves be prevented from selling it on ebay in the future? Just wondering...

the whole scenario makes me want to play my fenderbird bass ...

I just got mine. Amazing difference in tone and sustain.

Buy one.

Scott, what is the tonal difference?

Keep in mind that RIC doesn't randomly pick victims of trademark infringement violation. They are obligated to take action on every instance. I would guess that an inconsistent approach to enforcement by RIC would allow some infringers to cry foul and possibly make a case out of it.

Unless they took another rout. instead of Hipshot infrigements, they could maybe buy a license from RIC to avoid legal problems. Like the "liscenced by Bigsby" fender vibratos, there'd be the "licensed by RIC" Hipshot bridge.

I cant put my finger on it John. Seems alot fuller sounding, clarity out the a** across all the strings. Imagine pushing the "loudness" button on and off of an old stereo. Make sense?

Besides that..two words:

Palm Muting.

Mine is brass by the way. Pretty heavy chunk o metal.

I'll post some pics tomorrow....

I've had mine for a year and a half. I can put my finger on it!

As Scott said, "fuller sounding, clarity out the a** across all the strings." Absolutlety! It adds zing to the high end and balls to the low end. Don't forget sustain, Rick's have great sustain even with that 40 year old designed bridge, the HipShot ups the ante on sustain - big time.

And for me, the number one reason to put a HipShot on a Rickenbacker - It's easy to set up and adjust. Intonation achieved! No more G string sharpness above the twelfth fret. Yee Ha!

I rest my case your honor.

Thank you for that, Scott and Reid. The loudness analogy makes good sense. When I added the washers under my RIC tailpiece and also drilled the bridge adjust screw pockets out for the allen screws to reach the body, I experienced similiar results. Also solved the tipping bridge assembly problem, but not the intonation, which I don't experience anyway. Makes me wonder how much more the Hipshot would add.