Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

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

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

Eden.

What Eden said. Someone got a bargain.

johnallg wrote:What Eden said. Someone got a bargain.

Heck of a bargain actually!

Hmm, stoopid me for bailing at $141.

Sepp

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

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...

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.

I got it guys.

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

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

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

No worries Joe!

teeder wrote:

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.

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.

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?

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!