Cast bridge with saddles

[Kopfjaeger]

Hey, did any of your guys catch the ebay auction for the complete 1975 4001 bridge, this past weekend? From the tiny foto I immediately noticed the aluminum saddles on it. The seller also had a reverse foto and bingo, it was an original and complete cast unit that was mis-dated!! I dropped a $50. bid on her and was winning until a hour or two before it closed. I dropped out after my $141.00 bid was not high enough. She sold for $202.00. The saddles were a bit grooved and looked reshaped but they were usable. I know you don't see too many for sale but I thought the price was a bit excessive. Thoughts??

Sepp

[weemac]

In reality that is an under the radar price. They can fetch much more...

Eden.

[johnallg]

What Eden said. Someone got a bargain.

[Colonel Sanders]

What Eden said. Someone got a bargain.

Heck of a bargain actually!

[Kopfjaeger]

Hmm, stoopid me for bailing at $141.

Sepp

[pag]

With that kind of demand its a reissue in waiting....please!

[wints]

Yes, $200 is a real steal for the whole pre '73 assembly.

So, who here got it then?

And yes, as Pete says, these need to be reissued. Initially, a run of about 100 should prove their worth...

[teeder]

And yes, as Pete says, these need to be reissued. Initially, a run of about 100 should prove their worth...

I tried, but couldn't get the approval.
I have about 95% of the details worked out.

[opticnerve]

I got it guys.

I acquired a tailpiece from the chef & needed the bridge.

It's earmarked for my '66 MG 4000/4001S.

[Kopfjaeger]

Whoops, Sorry Tony. I did not know I was bidding against you. I did not need it, only wanted it as a spare. I'm glad you got it for something you needed to complete.

Sepp

[opticnerve]

No worries Joe!

[aceonbass]

And yes, as Pete says, these need to be reissued. Initially, a run of about 100 should prove their worth...

I tried, but couldn't get the approval.
I have about 95% of the details worked out.

Do you legally need permission to make a replacement cast aluminum bridge, or were you just asking permission? I had a bunch of brass 5-string bridge inserts made several years ago and JH didn't mind.

[teeder]

Was hoping to actually sell them either directly to RIC or as aftermarket and asked permission.

I was going to laser scan a couple of my original TP's, make a 3d model and supply that to a local pattern builder. I had a local forge ready to go for sand-casting. Then off to a friend’s shop for machining and finishing. Didn't have the plater worked out yet though.
Minus the plating, it was actually quite reasonable.

[aceonbass]

Ahh...The tailpiece. Now that's a different matter as RIC has the footprint trademarked. Still, just making the aluminum bridge insert would be a help to a lot of people who can't find one, and designing it so it would take the current saddles would be even better. Have you asked JH about just making that part?

[teeder]

No, I haven't, yet.

Also have considered making an extended saddle for the older basses with intonation issues.

So many ideas, so little time!