Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

ben_brown wrote:

tennis_nick wrote:

rickenbrother wrote: but in my opinion, the title of this thread is a denigrating swipe at RIC.

How else would you describe a part that, from the factory, exhibits a design flaw?

+1

The title of the thread suggests something very poor. "It also takes a swipe at RIC.

"Seeking Help For A Saddle Problem" would be much a more appropriate type of thread title.

admin wrote:Joey is right, the title of the thread suggests that there are different grades of stock bridges to chose from.

As this is not the case at present, the title of the thread should more properly be The Standard Bridge.

One may argue that the standard bridge has some features that are desirable and some that are not and that it could be improved. I ask, however, what exists in this world that cannot be improved in some way?

The present bridge quite simply remains the standard until another comes along. We will cross the next bridge when we get to it.

So then, we come to the conclusion that the Standard 4003 bridge has saddles that are poorly fitted and could potentially cause rattle as installed from the factory? I think the examples given throughout the thread contradict that conclusion. Some bridges seem to have some poorly fit saddles and some don't. I also don't think one should be forced to make modifications to an instrument of the typical quality (and, more importantly, price) of a RIC instrument to make it function correctly. The bridge in Paul's example was not up to the standards we would expect and is, therefore, substandard.

I think Paul was more lamenting the fact that there are no readily available warranty replacements. Perhaps this is a good thing because it indicates RIC is putting out as many instruments as they can build parts for? I have noticed quite a bit more stock recently at POtR and Ricpage (among others). That's got to be a good indicator for the backlog.

Calling the thread "the standard bridge" tells us nothing of the context of the thread. Like a poorly titled article in the newspaper.

I think the title is relevant to the subject and not a "swipe at RIC".

Where is our freedom of opinion if our opinions are not free to be expressed?

"Seeking Help For A Saddle Problem" Would be an appropriate title, but like my lab reports, you can only use your own words.

I think these threads are important to outsiders. If I was contemplating the purchase of a Rick, I'd like to know all the advantages AND the disadvantages. Nothing is free of the later. Removing posts that speak of the negative aspects of the instruments does nothing to help the reputation of RIC, or of the board.

It takes all kinds of colors to fill the crayon box.

tennis_nick wrote:Removing posts that speak of the negative aspects of the instruments does nothing to help the reputation of RIC, or of the board.

I think rudeness got one post edited and/or deleted. A good thing about the forum is that the discussions have to be done with a great deal of respect to each other and certain language isn't tolerated.

nukebass wrote:

tennis_nick wrote:Removing posts that speak of the negative aspects of the instruments does nothing to help the reputation of RIC, or of the board.

I think rudeness got one post edited and/or deleted. A good thing about the forum is that the discussions have to be done with a great deal of respect to each other and certain language isn't tolerated.

I agree with this. Rude posts should not be tolerated.

For example, my posts addressed the same issues the offending posts did, only me (and others) are able to address our thoughts like responsible adults

cassius987 wrote: Why can't we just reach a middle ground here? We know the stock bridge not perfect--at least some of the ones that have been made recently--and we know that the Hipshot is not Ras Tafari Himself either. Saying someone is a "whiner" because they are having trouble with the stock bridge is just being rude, though.

All right Joshua, maybe my post was a little curt. I was in a hurry to leave the office. I'm not saying that anyone who voices an opinion that isn't praising RIC is a whiner...the point I was trying to make is that there's at least one Forumite here that I don't recall ANY posts for the past year and a half or so that WEREN'T about the Rick tail piece. To those people, I say try something new...go wax your car, take your kids out for an ice cream cone, go for a jog or a bike ride, PLAY your guitar. There are other things to do in life besides follow RIC around on a personal quest to change their tail piece design. If you want a Hipshot, then buy one and be done with it. If you want to modify your Rick bridge then do that and tell us about how you did it, but jeez...

cassius987 wrote: Let's get over "us and them" syndrome here. None of us can change RIC's protocols by griping about this, but we shouldn't just start drinking poison kool-aid either. If anything I appreciate that people like Dane are speaking up about successful mods they have done; Rickaddict, if you want to spell out how you "made it work" too that would be great. But there's nothing wrong with somebody who was basically forced into going Hipshot because they couldn't rely on the stock bridge either.

I too appreciate people like Dane that speak up about the mods they've done. Dane's a good guy.* Mark Arnquist has also provided information about how he modifies the stock bridge. And so has Jeff Rath, Brian Crisman, and about a hundred other Forumites including myself. Its all here in these threads and if someone wanted to do a search they could find all the information they need.

Here's a brief summary of what I do: On some of the older bridges (pre 2002 or so) the holes are just a little bit off. The saddles can move more freely with just a minimum of tinkering. Drill the holes out on the bridge, but do it in very small increments and check your progress. Go too big and they'll rattle. Filing the slots might also be necessary. Some of the older bridges are perfect already and won't need any attention. I have a few. I use the stock stainless steel phillips head screws. They work fine, you just need a very small screwdriver and to take the strings off while you turn the screw. Not as convenient as a Hipshot, but it works and you shouldn't need to adjust it very often. The newer bridges (post 2002) can be a problem. If you get one that looks like the few photos posted in the beginning of this thread, then you might want to find an old bridge on Ebay, find old saddles on Ebay, follow the suggestions of one of the other guys (Dane, Brian, Mark, etc.) or get a Hipshot. It's not rocket science. As you can probably tell from my writing, I'm not a genius. Yet I have been able to get all of my Rick bridges to work and work well. If I can do it, you can do it.

And I'm not judging anybody for buying a Hipshot, a Badass, or any other bridge. Do what you need to do to get your bass to work. I have a Hipshot. I haven't installed it on any of my Ricks yet, but I have one.

I'm just saying...Yeah, the Rick bridge isn't perfect. I hope it will be someday soon. But some people just need to take care of it and then move on.

Sorry if I've offended any of you.



*Except for that time that he punched me in the face because I wouldn't stop playing his CS 8-string at the 75th.

Nice work Jeff. Your balanced view is appreciated and interesting to read.

You are exactly right, about making adjustments and moving on. I especially like your post as it addresses the issues of the bridge and the openness to solutions without the rhetoric.

Why thank you, Peter!

silverjet89 wrote:I had this problem when I ordered some new saddles for my 4001. John Hall suggested KYNstick tape. It worked great. No problems since.
Here is the thread:
http://rickresource.com/forum/viewtopic ... 3&t=331481

Thank you for this great thread. If my saddles go awry once more I will go with this. I really want to stay stock as I have seen a Hipshot in person now, and I really don't see them as anything special. They really don't even intonate much better--the travel is kind've pathetic for the A and E strings. Sorry if I just offended whomever is a Hipshot fan.

It is very unlikely that Paul Boyer would have "taken a swipe" at RIC or anyone else for that matter. That is a good guy you are talking there about and a friend to most (if not all) of you. I sincerely believe that Paul thought what he had was an isolated example of a defect and nothing more. His comment was certainly NOT intended to shock or offend. He was merely expressing disappointment and consternation over having spent money on something that is apparently defective. You would all feel the same way had it happened to you. I know I did. Rocking and rattling bridge saddles have never been a standard feature on Rickenbacker basses.

rickfan60 wrote:It is very unlikely that Paul Boyer would have "taken a swipe" at RIC or anyone else for that matter. That is a good guy you are talking there about and a friend to most (if not all) of you. I sincerely believe that Paul thought what he had was an isolated example of a defect and nothing more. His comment was certainly NOT intended to shock or offend. He was merely expressing disappointment and consternation over having spent money on something that is apparently defective. You would all feel the same way had it happened to you. I know I did. Rocking and rattling bridge saddles have never been a standard feature on Rickenbacker basses.

Great post, Ted.

Hey Jeffy T, that was a great post!!

Okay, here's one for everyone to discuss as well.....

What do you do when you have a lifting tailpiece on a 4001 (tailpiece is a V63 style), and all you have ever used on it is .040-.095 light gauge rounds...????