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Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2004 6:17 am
by jwr2
The newest Ric that I have is a '98 and it came with the 2 extra screws ...
The only Ric tailpiece that I have seen that didn't pull up without the extra screws is my 1968 4001 ... it has 3 screws total ... not 5 and not 7 like modern bridges ... 5 and 8 string models pull up worse because of the increased string tension ...
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2004 10:39 am
by paul_yan
I agree with Jeff that the pre-73, 3 screw, "split" tailpieces are extremely strong. No bending at all.
I wonder what kind of "magic metal" they are made of...
1972 4001 3-screw tailpiece:
1986 Shadow 7-screw tailpiece.
1998 4003 5-screw tailpiece.
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2004 10:46 am
by ojobob2
well, look how much beefier the underside of the 60's type bridge is
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2004 10:47 am
by paul_yan
Yeah Owen. Beefy.
By the way, I have a question for owners of post 2002 4003 and 4001 C64 basses:
Does the end of your tailpiece lift up from the body top?
If yes, for how much?
The tailpiece of the new 2001 4003 FG I helped a friend buy came with the end lifting up for about 1/64"...
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2004 11:57 am
by ojobob2
Paul some never lie flat, my 4003's was badly warped so i bought a new one. It looks totally flat till i fitted it to the bass, and there is still a small gap.
My 73's is warped just as bad as the 4003 was, but i cant be bothered to go through the process of having a new one shipped here again. Also i drilled into the metal to add support screws to stop the bridge snapping backwards so id have to go through all that again
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2004 2:30 pm
by bear
Hi Paul,
So far? (Keeps fingers crossed)
My July '03 4001C64S MG has remained at flush on the bass side and maybe 1/128" on the treble side. Note: this is at the very end of the bridge on both sides.
My '97 V63 has not faired as well though. Holding at 1/16" on both sides. Same measurement location applies.
Interesting as the V63 has the much "beefier" neck and body.
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2004 7:48 pm
by paul_yan
Thanks for chiming in, Steve.
I forgot to mention that the very end of my '98 tailpiece bends up for 1/64" too, with all 5 screws tightened.
Any words from other post-2002 basss owners?
Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2004 8:44 am
by jnbass
Gotta hate them shill/seminar bidders!
Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2004 4:56 am
by m_cuffa
My June '03 2003 4003FG is I'd say at most a millemeter above the body, although I wouldn't say it's "lifting up" - i.e. the gap doesn't increase the further you go if that makes any sense.
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 5:12 am
by paul_yan
Hey Jared,
It's $1480 now.
Check out the bid history, looks like the seller recruited a few "helping hands".
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4713&item=2371814371
"Ah, the Shadow knows."---Alec Baldwin.
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 5:40 am
by rictified
Most Rics I've owned have lifted a little bit, I've never had a real problem though with any of them, I think it obviously has a lot to do with the type of strings you are using. I think too that my 72 3 hole tailpiece is the only one that hasn't really lifted. My 7 hole tailpieces haven't lifted though, I had an 84 4003 with a 7 screw tailpiece, and my 81 4003 that is coming (someday) also has one on it. I've never seen a 4001 with a 7 hole tailpiece brand new in a store (or a used one for that matter)
I saw a couple of familiar names in the bidding war for that Shadow, what a nice bass, I like the Black Stars (along with the red and white versions) better though because of the black necks.
Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2004 5:39 am
by beatlefan
WHOA!!!.....It's over $2,000 now!!! I guess I'll have to sell mine and pay my house off.....
Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2004 6:25 am
by atomic_punk
Only if you get a few shill bidders to help you out! What a joke that is!
Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2004 7:52 am
by rickcrazy
Not easy to come by in these parts, I'm sure.
Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2004 8:04 am
by rickcrazy
Well, I have my 1974 4001 to comfort me, haha.
