Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

My beloved 4001C64 is suffering from moderate tail lift (about 1/8" without strings under tension, and just over 1/4" with strings at tension), and I'm seeking advice from forumites who have experience with straightening the factory tailpiece & performing the 7-screw tailpiece modification.
I have the Hipshot bridge on my '08 4003, and while I'm happy with that bridge on that particular bass, I want to keep the vintage vibe & asthetic of the C64 intact.
What tools & materials will I need, and are there any tips for this procedure?

Thanks.

Installing a 7-screw tailpiece is easy enough, you just tap a guide "dent" with a hammer and nail after installing the tailpiece with the existing screws, then tape off a drill bit of the right size to the appropriate length, and get to work. Even if you're very careful it only takes a few minutes.

I have noticed C64s have tail lift like crazy (I've played a handful)! Not so for 4003s. Has to be the 3-screw tailpiece.

If you check the Search function, Gary (DoctorWho) posted a good thread some time ago, with step-by-step pictures on fixing a bad tail-lift problem.

It helped me with my tail lift problem on my 4003. Now with the 2 extra screws no tail lift and Rotosound strings brilliant.

If you don't want to ruin the looks of your tailpiece, just install a brass bar in the gap at the end of the tailpiece.
Drill 7 holes in it; 4 parallel to the strings with the right spacing and countersink them for the ball ends,and three perpendicular to the body to fix it.
Make sure the brass bar is not too wide so it fits under the tailpiece, where the ball ends normally would be.
To make things even better, make sure the bridge doesn't rest on the tailpiece but is screwed in brass nuts in the body itself
Your tone and sustain will improve dramatically, and tail lift will be a thing other people talk about..but the vintage look will remain.

8mileshigher wrote:If you check the Search function, Gary (DoctorWho) posted a good thread some time ago, with step-by-step pictures on fixing a bad tail-lift problem.

Here's a reference to the drilling template:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=321657&hilit=+tail+lift

doctorwho wrote:John, I must have sent the wrong picture at some point, because I do have one with a ruler in it:



My sincerest apologies to anyone I sent the wrong version of the template to!

And here is the start of the 're-bending' thread:

viewtopic.php?f=13&t=161788&st=0&sk=t&s ... t&start=60

My C64 had some tail lift as well. Not too much but enough to cause me to consider the Hipshot tailpiece. It became a moot point because I later sold the bass. My V63 had no tail lift at all though.