Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

4000 4001 4003 bass saddles - dumb question!!!

Call me a thicky, but, seeing as the rest of the steel on these fabulous machines is highly chromed - why are the saddles left in plain steel?

Similarly, the bridges that come with black tailpieces and other black hardware, are still chrome...................

VC

vulcan_creedler wrote:4000 4001 4003 bass saddles - dumb question!!!

Call me a thicky, but, seeing as the rest of the steel on these fabulous machines is highly chromed - why are the saddles left in plain steel?

Zinc alloy actually . . . anyway, just how would you hand cut string slots on a chrome part?

vulcan_creedler wrote:Similarly, the bridges that come with black tailpieces and other black hardware, are still chrome...................

It's been so many years since we had black parts I don't remember the exact reason but it's likely the powder coating thickness would interfere with the fit of the parts.

Well - that's me told!

I'm glad you asked that question I was wondering about the chrome with black bridge last night. This afternoon my question is answered.

When I was having a new style RIC tailpiece powder coated for my Blackstar I was worried about the thickness of the process interfering with the bridge. It did not but I do imagine if the bridge would have been powder coated, it would have been an issue. It appears the Chinese knock off bridges that All Parts sells uses a shiny coating on their saddles. That's one of the things I look for to determine RIC parts from knock offs.

Interesting to note that speaking of Blackstars different degrees of black are encountered. Some have chrome trim on the bass pup while some do not. Some have foil disc knobs and some vintage style. it just adds to the unique factor of these instruments. IMO.

Sepp