Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi friends....I wonder if there are any 4001c64s owner who´ll had tried to put on a hipshot bridge on their bass.
The reason for me wanting to try that is as follows....whit the neck adjusted correct...and the bridge adjusted as low as it can be adjusted I still think the action is slightly too high on the E and A string...D and G is allright.
To my eyes and hands the nut is adjusted correctley.
Or could the case be that the Zero fret on the bass is a little bit to high?
I dont think thats the case but...I have a hipshot on my 4003 and like it a lot...IMO this bridge works much much better than the stock bridge...and its also much easier to do palm muting etc whit the hipshot bridge.

Any advice guys?...Could installing a hipshot bridge on the 4001c64s be a solution to get a better action (lower) on the E and A string...I think these two strings are too high from lets about 7th or 8th fret and up.
Best Frank.

My C64S had the lowest action of any Ric that I have owned. Sounds like your neck may have too much relief. I would check that. I could lower the saddles all the way down and raise 1/4 - 1/2 turn for adjustment.

I don't own a C64 (I have a V63) and I've not tried the Hipshot bridge, but I'd say you've got nothing to lose by trying it out. It's a 100% reversible mod, so there's no risk. If you're more concerned with playing the bass and not wrapped up in the whole "gotta keep it stock" thing, I'd say go for it. At worst, you just remove it and put the stock bridge back on. But if it's an improvement over the current state, then it will have been worth it. Besides, if you ever decide to sell the bass, you can easily put the stock bridge back on it and you're good to go.

oops, didn't mean to post, and now I can't delete it.

Hello Frank,

I do not have a C64, but have installed the hipshot on my 4003. I did this for the same reasons you have pointed out. The bridge assembly is easy to swap out, and the action and intonation were a breeze to set. And yes, it improved the action quite a bit. I found that even with the neck dead straight, the action was higher then I wanted with the stock bridge. Just two things I will point out. The aluminum will be your best bet due to the increased low end of the brass version. (unless you want your bass to have more low end) And, since there is no solder point on the replacement bridge, you will need to fan out the end of the ground wire and make sure it is securely trapped under the bridge. Don't leave any of the insulation on the portion of the wire that is trapped under the bridge.

Good luck, dog

Welcome to the forum, Ron!

Thanks brother.

Being laid off work, and with winter setting in, I only have the TV and this computer to amuse myself. Since I see plenty of players here that I "know" from the Ric forums, (you being one of them) I figured it was another chance to exchange views and ideas with other players. Glad to be a part.

Cheers! dog

Ron, with you (dog) and Jason (Jdog), we can start out own little "Dog Pound"!

Hey Ron-Dog, welcome to the other best Rick forum!

You mean there's another Ric forum?

I've go a Hipshot brass on my 4003. Life is sweet...

I've had my C64S "Hipshotted" for awhile now, and while I can tell you that it does improve certain aspects of the playability, I've been thinking of going back to stock lately.

This may have something to do with my recent fitting of LaBella flats onto the bass.

We shall see!

bigbajo60 wrote:I've had my C64S "Hipshotted" for awhile now, and while I can tell you that it does improve certain aspects of the playability, I've been thinking of going back to stock lately.

This may have something to do with my recent fitting of LaBella flats onto the bass.

We shall see!

Hmm? Hipshot + flats = no good? I'm confused.

Not to worry cassius. I have the hipshot and TI's. I can tell no difference between using flats or rounds when using the replacement. Maybe there is another reason he may change back to stock.

cassius987 wrote:Hmm? Hipshot + flats = no good? I'm confused.

Not that the Hipshot + flats combo isn't good... but it's just a matter of going all the way "retro", if you know what I mean!

bigbajo60 wrote:

cassius987 wrote:Hmm? Hipshot + flats = no good? I'm confused.

Not that the Hipshot + flats combo isn't good... but it's just a matter of going all the way "retro", if you know what I mean!

Wouldn't that mean a '50s Precision Bass with Fender flats, then?