Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

As mentioned in my recent posting about there being a slight tail lift on my new 4003 MG, I've checked the body with a steel rule and it's not entirely flat and slopes off slightly at the back. This of course makes it look like it has tail lift when there possibly isn't any (or very little anyway). In fact there is a very small lift at the front as well on the one side of the bridge due to it not being flat.

I've measured the total lift at 1.5mm, however about half of this amount is in the body sloping off at the back so the actual lift is only 0.75mm. It just looks worse than it actually is, but is still not something you expect to see on a brand new bass of this value.

Is any tail lift at all acceptable on a new Ric or is it a common thing?

You will get a range of answers on this. At the end of the day the only right is answer is yours alone. If you hate seeing tail lift and the mere idea of it drives you mad, maybe it's time to return the bass and see if a replacement would do better or get a 4004 or another bass with a block-type bridge. You could also mod the bass but since it's brand new (I'm guessing) modding wouldn't be my first choice. But modding will likely be suggested by others--i.e. add more screws or get a Hipshot bridge. (FWIW, I'm no stranger to modding and not opposed to it, I just think it's best to get to know your new bass before you start putting time and money into mods, even reversible ones.) If it were me, though, I would think about whether it really matters if there's a small amount of lift. Does the bass sound or play badly? Is the finish being damaged? If the answer to these is no I would just leave it like it is.

Like Joshua wrote, it's a personal preference thing. Tail lift use to annoy the heck out of me. Not some much anymore unless the tail piece looks like a bottle opener. My 4002 has a little bit of lift and I'm "OK" with it because the bass sounds so damn good!

Sepp

A very small amount of tail lift doesn't bother me too much, it's just that once it's there you are conscious about it and keep checking to see if it's getting any worse. There's very little chance in exchanging it for another one with it being left handed unless I were to swap it for a Fireglo or Jetglo.

Nothing wrong whatsoever with the bass apart from that, am very pleased with it.

Very small amount of tail lift also on my 4001 but nothing much to worry about.

Honestly, I never noticed my tail lift on mine until I joined this forum. My '77 has maybe 1mm of lift and this bass has had Rotosound RS66LD's on it for 30+ years. I guess each case is unique.

Search the forum for taillift and washers. A lot of time was spent on the issue about 4-5 years ago.