Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

While setting up my BlueBurst 4003, I noticed that the saddle pieces on the bridge do not sit flat on top of the bridge...they all stick up and sit kind of ****-eyed.

It looks like the screw holes in the saddles under the bridge were drilled in the wrong place, compared to my older 4003 bridges, where the saddles sit perfectly flat.

Has anyone else seen this? Would this be a warranty issue?

Thanks...

Check with our friends in SoCal Monday morning - their time!

That would be the best way to find out

The saddles should sit flat against the top of the bridge body. I don't know if what you are describing is a problem or not but if the bass is under warranty it would be best to let RIC sort it out. They have an excellent customer service department. Give them a call. It would be a good idea to have a digital picture of the bridge saddles ready that you could e-mail to them should they need it.

pics would help...

My bridge exhibits that same "floating" quality on the saddle pieces... but it hasn't been a problem as far as I can tell.

What I can tell you is that my old '77 4001 that I owned back in the day smacked of tighter tolerances, since it did have the saddles sitting flat against the bridge.

My 06 4003 does the same thing. Hasn't been a problem tho.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.....

Thanks for the responses, guys.

Here's what I've got:



It's playable, but the strings don't match the neck radius as well as they should, particularly the D string.

This appears to be a more recent quality control issue, as older 4003's don't seem to have this problem.

Do you think it should go back to the factory?

Definitely call customer service, if it's under warranty.

Normally they sit flat but a gap that small really should not be a problem. If it concerns you, call Customer Service and ask what they think. I suspect if it does not rattle there is not a problem.

It could dampen sustain a little.

I would think it would screw with relative string height and string spacing - at least to some degree.

Looks like a bad set up to me as well.

Make the phone call to Ric.

Looks exactly like my bridge. I don't worry about it. Doesn't seem to have affected anything. Hipshot here we come!

Mark, I don't mean to be rude but if you have no problem with a bridge like that why are you buying an aftermarket bridge?

Bridge lift, dead spot, dodgy intonation.... All the design features of the Rick that we all know and love! LOL!