Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've just fitted a Hipshot bridge to my 4001 but even with the saddles lowered as far as they will go, the action is still too high. I've checked the neck in case it had bowed but it is fine. Does anyone know of a solution to this apart from routing the body and sinking the bridge into it?

take the bridge apart and grind a few mm off of the bottom of the saddles ...

I've found I've had to do the same thing, as well.

Interesting! I just looked at mine on the 4003FL and there is plenty of room left to lower the action further if I want to.

I had (and still have) the exact same problem.. I spoke with Dave at Hipshot and he was just as baffled as i was (he said i was the first guy he'd heard from w/this problem). Here's what he suggested: pull out the hourglass pieces from the saddles; take a jewelers' file (small, triangular file) and start cuttin'. Make sure that 1) you don't ding up the ends, as they'll be tough to get back in and 2) that you don't file too much! I did all of the above, and it helped with E-D, but the G string was still too high.. perhaps it work for you, though. One other thing: you might want to try some flat head stainless screws to mount the bridge. I found that to be part of the issue with the saddles resting properly. Best o' luck! I think i'm going to have to sell or trade mine, which really bums me out.

I guess not all the bugs are out of those bridges yet.

This may be an issue of different neck angles in relation to the body. Remember those photos we've all seen that have the strings way down in the slots above the mute and others where the strings are riding really high above them? This may be the case with that bass.

I think you're right, Jeffrey.. the strings on my bass definitely ride pretty low in said slots.

Cool. Thanks for all the responses. I've emailed Hipshot again to find out if they've found an alternative to filing or grinding any of the parts and I will post their reply if there is another way around the problem