Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

In the late eighties I purchased a basket case ‘70s 4001 with a skunk-stripe. It had been disassembled, stripped, and sprayed with primer. The bridge was missing and the body had been chiseled out for a Badass bridge.

I decided to design and fabricate a bridge out of a brass billet. My goal was to design it with Rick string spacing and to have it mount flush to the body surface without having to router the surface to a different depth. I also wanted ample intonation adjustment. This is the result. If you notice in the last shot I have installed an over-length set screw to demonstrate the ability to lock all of the saddles to the base/tailpiece. I originally intended to have it plated but that would require me to mill off the edges of the saddles for clearance so it was never done. If I were to build another I would consider using stainless steel and polishing it to a chrome-like shine.

I never finished the 4001 so I sold it to my friend and Rick mentor. He finished the bass but used a stock bridge. He later put the brass bridge on a 4000 that he gifted to me a few years ago.

I have been meaning to post these pics for quite awhile but had to wait for a borrowed digital camera.

Nice job crafting that bridge Ken!! A 4000?...a great gift from a cool friend! Now if that is the 4000, if you wouldn't mind, take a picture of the whole bass so we can enjoy looking at it.

Yeah, that's exactly what I was about to ask. Excellent work, Ken.

Nice bridge!! Looks like a reeaaall nice 4000 too.

Lets see the whole thing.
Better yet, why not send the base to me for approval....

Looks like a reeeaall early 4000 to boot!

I'm seeing that too Jeff...

Pics anxiously awaited!

Hey, did I take those pictures??

Lets see the whole thing..........

A real early 4000? Maybe, but I'm afraid I don't see the horseshoes, only the pickup surround... Well?

Yeah, it looks like a '57 + 4000, nice.

Sorry, but it definitely is not a 1957 4000. Ken, talk to us.

Gents-
It has fully glued body wings, indicating mid 59 and up...
(I think). The early ones had wings that were bolted and glued; this is evidenced by a chamfer on the wings at the tail end.
I've been wrong before though.....

What's the SN ? And WHARRRSS the photos?!?

'...a chamfer on the wings at the tail end', the absence of which makes this a 'mid '59 and up' 4000.
Yes, we'd like to see some pictures, please.

Weeerrreee waaaaiiittttiiiinnnngggg!

Dammit, I'm just trying to fit in here.......

Was thinking more along the lines of a certain '59 4000.