Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

After some of the comments I've read here about Hipshots, I ordered today. I'll probably see it later in the week and can give you a report next week once I get everything set up.

If I played a 4 string I would put the hipshot bridge on it ...

People keep talking about the screws being too long or short and something about filing them or whatnot, and I'm kinda lost on that. I was planning on buying the Hipshot bridge, but I don't want to receive it in the mail and then have to modify it extensively to make it work. What exactly was the problem people were having with them?

In my case, the intonation adjustment screws (that move the anvils forward or aft) were not quite long enough. I was intonating with an electronic tuner, and the A and D strings wouldn't quite reach true tuning at the octave before the anvils ran out of thread on the screws. We're talking a couple of millimeters here. I asked for and received longer screws from Hipshot, but they were about 1/4" longer (I think). That ended up being too long because the tapped holes in the anvils don't go all the way through. Now I couldn't move the anvils back far enough. So I carefully cut off most of the extra length with a cutoff wheel on a Dremel tool, cleaned up the threads, and screwed 'em back in. All is fine now. I really like the tailpiece/bridge although it is noticeably heavier than the original.

Was Hipshot made aware of the problem? Any signal that they may modify the units for subsequent production runs? I'm planning on making this modification to stop any future lifting of the tailpiece, but if it's going to muck up intonation on 2 out of 4 strings, well ... I'd have second thoughts.

Is there a reason (other than perhaps cosmetic) that the saddles wouldn't be tapped through and through for the adjustment screw? Makes no sense to limit the 'applicability'() of an aftermarket part.

Also, would anyone be aware of what Hipshot's record for responding to customer feedback is? (i.e., you think they'll start including longer intonation adjustment screws and tapping the saddles clean through?)

I had no problem at all intonating the Hipshot on a '89 4003S. Paul, exactly what year and model do you have yours on?
As far as responding to customer feedback, I get the impression that they're a pretty small operation, and I've gotten quick response to questions in the past. Nice guys.

My 2004 Monte. It was off just a tad past the available thread, so the longer screws were needed. They responded quickly and sent me new longer screws at no charge. They are aware of the "problem" but it may not be a problem with every bass.

Keep in mind that intonation is dependent on how high or low the action is set also. A higher action will require more compensation--moving the saddles away from the nut--because the string will stretch more when you press it down, and thus will be more sharp than a bass with lower action.

This might be the reason for different basses needing different length screws.

I dont feel I should start a new thread for this but:

Has anyone got a pic of the Hipshot bridge in BLACK I've searched over the net but couldnt find anything.

Thanks for any help!

I don't think there is one, as of yet anyway. Why don't you contact Hipshot and inquire.

When I got mine from Hipshot the bridge came with three different length screws and I needed all of them to get the intonation right on my fretless. I had the saddles all the way back on the original RIC bridge and the bass was still intonating sharp. For that reason alone the Hipshot helped tremendously.

I am considering putting one on my V63 as the back of the bridge is starting to lift slightly and this is with fairly low tension strings. I want to put different strings on it but that may just accelerate the lifting.

I am still hopeful that John Hall will get his redesigned bridge in production; I have not seen any pics of what it looks like but I am confident that John will make it look and work great.