Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I need to replace the ****** aftermarket bridge on my 77' 4001, and im not sure weather to get a new hipshot or wait until I can find a vintage one on ebay, or when i get to 50 posts, i can find one on here maybe.

anyone have any experience with the hipshots? Im not sure what to do here... so any help would be great!

Thanks.

Hi Brett,

A couple of quick questions:

- Was the fitting of the aftermarket bridge on your 4001 accompanied by filling in the rout for the stock tailpiece? If it did, the Hipshot bridge will require the least work to fit, as you won't have to rout out the filled cavity.
- Are you after a complete "vintage" look to your 4001? If so, the stock tailpiece and bridge is the way to go.
- Are you located in North America? If so, the stock part can easily be sourced from the Rickenbacker boutique, though I note that the bridges (a separate part to the tailpiece) are currently unavailable. If you're not located in North America, the stock bridge and tailpiece will be quite a bit harder to lay your hands on than the Hipshot.

If you're ambivalent about vintage look or "authenticity", then the Hipshot is worth a look. They are way easier to adjust for intonation than the stock bridge, and there is no discernible change in tone when moving from the stock tailpiece/bridge to the aluminium Hipshot (I have no experience with the brass Hipshot, which has substantially more mass). It is also easier to palm mute with the Hipshot as it provides better access to the strings at that crucial are near the bridge. Some users have had issue with saddle movement, but that hasn't yet happened to me. Finally, the Hipshot is substantially cheaper than the stock part at USD145 - the stock tailpiece is priced at USD190 and the bridge at USD75. If you're working to a budget, that may swing things.

I personally prefer the look of the stock part. By the same token I fitted a Hipshot to my battered 4000 (the original part was donated to a restoration project) and I have been sufficiently impressed to have retained it.

I also note that you mention "vintage bridge". The current stock part will be a drop-in replacement for the original tailpiece/bridge on your '77 4001 and will. I believe, be a little stronger than a period-correct part. There is no need to look for an old part if you choose the Rickenbacker over the Hipshot.

antipodean wrote:There is no need to look for an old part if you choose the Rickenbacker over the Hipshot.

Ditto.......

I personally would opt for the new Ric bridge,.....

Thanks for the replies guys!

RicOSoundMan wrote:

antipodean wrote:There is no need to look for an old part if you choose the Rickenbacker over the Hipshot.

Ditto.......

I personally would opt for the new Ric bridge,.....

...there is a good reason for the recent new RIC bridge (rigidness improved), as the `77 model bridge surely is prone to tail lift!

i wasn't aware that the current 4003 bridges were being made any differently than vintage ones,and at $265 for both pieces,would opt for the hipshot aluminum bridge,too,for all the reasons mentioned above. i have one on my 74 4000,and it has been perfect and rock-solid since i put it on. i have had roundwound and flatwound strings on it. no wobble and even better,no knucklescrapes from mute knobs. i would sell you my old bridge parts,but i realize at some point,(NOT ANYTIME SOON!) i will probably sell my bass,and want to have the all the original equipment available for potential buyers.

Woody, somewhere during the years of the current tailpiece RIC beefed up the underside of the tail area some. I don't remember when that was. Jeff Scott has a pic of the underside of all three side by side showing the differences.

Do a search on Hipshot on this forum before you buy one. Not everyone (that includes me) is satisfied with them.

I actually don't need one anymore. But I appreciate all the responses.

john-i remember that photo-i'll take the bridge on the left,please.....

which,IIRC,is the original late 60's era aluminum one,the one that everyone raves about,and the same material as the hipshot i have on my bass now.....

woodyng wrote:john-i remember that photo-i'll take the bridge on the left,please.....

which,IIRC,is the original late 60's era aluminum one,the one that everyone raves about,and the same material as the hipshot i have on my bass now.....

Um, here is the front side of it, Woody. As you can see, it is currently being used to hold some strings in place and won't be available for the foreseeable future.