Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

hey fellas!


I have been enjoying the ric bought 2 years ago on march 17th st paddys day... her birthday is coming up!

so.....

I am thinking of a hipshot upgrade...

and, I need a new input jack, mine is kinda loose and noisy....(not loose via the nut, but loose on the contacts)


any other alternatives to the hipshot>?

and, where do I get an input jack or two, very close to original or better than NOS?

and, do I replace both input jacks, or just one...I only run mono


thanks!

big al

aka

rokkittBass

(had to brag a little with my photo of the NYC 2009 marathon...its an epi t-bird hanging, and I am looking for direction from our drummer on the next song)

Hey Al! For the jack, first pull out the jackplate then look at bending the parts back towards the center to tighten things up again. Otherwise just go to the RIC Boutique and get the jack assy - http://www.rickenbacker.com/cart.asp?vi ... lectronics

The mono jack is a special one that has a switch built in that monos the two pickups.

thanks john!

so, the hipshot upgrade is a no-brainer then?


bridge and tuners, that is.....


big al

rokkitt wrote:thanks john!

so, the hipshot upgrade is a no-brainer then?


bridge and tuners, that is.....


big al

I had a Hipshot tailpiece and went back to the Rick one. I felt it changed my tone more than I wanted - away from the Rick tone. Aluminum.

The consensus on H*psh*t is that there isn't a consensus. Some love the bridge/tailpiece, others don't. It's my understanding that if you do go for the tailpiece, the aluminum version will give a more Rick sound than the brass. At least that has been indicated for older 4001s.

As for the tuners, I don't really see the need to replace them unless you are trying to reduce the weight of your headstock to balance out a dead spot on the D string (likely 9th or 10th fret). Unless RIck was still using the reverse-geared tuners in '88.

My $0.02 anyway.

FretlessOnly wrote:It's my understanding that if you do go for the tailpiece, the aluminum version will give a more Rick sound than the brass. At least that has been indicated for older 4001s.

I know people say this but, having messed with both kinds, I just don't hear a significant difference at all. I think the main difference in tone from the stock bridge comes from the way the strings rest on the saddles and their break angle and the fact that either Hipshot bridge has more mass and volume than a Ric tailpiece; I honestly can't a hear a substantial difference based on the kind of metal the part is made of. I mean, I think I can hear a tiny difference, but that doesn't mean there really is one.

To me the main difference is that the Ric stock bridge is fairly zingy, and the Hipshots as a group are a bit less so (and thus a bit warmer). That's all I can honestly say.

Damn, Allen----it must have been hard running a marathon with a T-bird around your neck!

rokkitt wrote: any other alternatives to the hipshot>?

http://www.allparts.com/Rickenbacker-Br ... 16-010.htm

Happy birthday.

Some of us prefer to view the installation of a H*psh*t or other replacement bridge as a modification of owner preference, rather than an upgrade.

hey, thanks for all the help

I just bought Hipshot tuners...

Going to wait a bit on the bridge, gotta stay on a budget, which is tough around here~!

And, I will open up the electronics bin, and "rebend" the input jack, and see if that situation improves.

Thanks for all the info!

Allen

rokkitt wrote:so, the hipshot upgrade is a no-brainer then?

For me it is. But only after I found out myself they rattle.

rickenbrother wrote:Some of us prefer to view the installation of a H*psh*t or other replacement bridge as a modification of owner preference, rather than an upgrade.

My original '76 RIC tailpiece was an inferior design. As evidenced by the various fixes RIC has tried over the years, my experience is not unique.

So until (if ever) my Allparts tailpiece starts to resemble a chrome taco, I shall consider it an upgrade.

so , the hipshots rattle? is that a matter of playing style? I use a pick, and sometimes get a little heavy handed.

might take a look at the allparts tailpiece



hmmmmm
allen

rokkitt wrote:so , the hipshots rattle? is that a matter of playing style? I use a pick, and sometimes get a little heavy handed.

Mine does. Both finger and pickstyle. Unless I gently touch the strings as if my fingers where feathers. The allparts part looks like an exact copy to me so where that's going to help you I do not understand. I must say I never saw one from close by. And I'm willing to learn if someone can enlighten me on this.

I guess I just like the individual string height adjustability of the hipshot ...let me check if I really need that anyway


and, the allparts bridge does not have the two screws in the back to prevent tail lift...maybe it doesnt need it, but my original bridge has them.

and, like you said berth, I cant really tell the diff from stock to allparts anyway...but, dont you have the allparts one? your post leads me to believe you do...what bridge do you have?


so, maybe just the washer/wood shim -- drill the bridge for ---the allen head height screws to make contact with the wood ---mod/upgrade

and, I can do mods to the original bridge, with out spending money and waiting for shipping!

lets see how it rolls...

allen