Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've been watching this great forum for quite a while. Here's my first post.
I'm owning a 2006 4003 mid blue for half a year now and I'm very pleased with this stunning instrument. Lately I brought it to a local luthier for a professional setup. They straightened the neck and planed the frets. The action is low, the intonation is perfect and the bass plays very well.
Still I'm concerned about the setting of the saddle on the D and G string because it is not sitting flat on the Bridge Assembly (as you can see on the picture). Is this someting I should worry about?

If the intonation is set correctly and the saddles aren't rattling then I wouldn't worry about it too much.

However, it does bug me that RIC's saddles have changed so that they no longer fit on their own bridges, and it may also bug you.

My only solution to these goofy new saddles is to buy old saddles (or complete bridge assemblies) on ebay when they show up.

RIC's new saddles have looked like this for a few years now.

What's up with that? Are the holes drilled and tapped to far away from the bottom plane?
That would bother me, big time.

Welcome, Ricky!

teeder wrote:What's up with that? Are the holes drilled and tapped to far away from the bottom plane?
That would bother me, big time.

I think so, Kevin. I also think that the new saddles don't have a contour on the bottom to match the contour of the bridge.

I bought a bunch of new saddles from RIC a few years ago and learned this the hard way. Now I buy old saddles off ebay when I need them.



Oh yeah, and... Welcome Ricky!

I need a saddle for my 4001S ( ), so I'm having a guy in our toolshop build a couple for me. I hope they turn out like I plan.

Cool. That would be a HUGE help to a lot of people on this forum if it works and if you could easily make more of them.

What would also help is if this guy could modify his CNC program to make replacement bridges for the old-style tail:

http://rickresource.com/forum/viewtopic ... 2&t=381731

Jeff, I too though of 4 string bridges like that, and having them fit the old tailpieces would surely help so many vintage owners.

I'll keep you posted on the saddle status. I would buy a couple of those bridges from Jeff if they were 4 stringers!

Thank you for the feedback and the warm welcome.
I find it a bit sad that a company that crafts such nice instruments doesn't seem to take care on these details.

Kevin, can I get in line to queue up for 4 saddles from your manufacturer?

Will do, Pete.
Please send an email to me for a reminder.

I used a saddle from my '69 4000 for reference, and hope to have about 30 pcs when complete.

The toolmaker that's building them for me asked for a case of beer in exchange.

You could have some business on your hands Kev...

Kevin, the PA snow belt huh?

GO PENGUINS!!!

Burgh boy myself - loving the SC playoffs!

prismacolor2 wrote:Kevin, the PA snow belt huh?

GO PENGUINS!!!

Burgh boy myself - loving the SC playoffs!

John A, your avatar is scaring me.