Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I have mine facing the mute, not this way...

http://www.rickenbacker.com/images/bbridge.gif

My 4003 was delivered brand new to me with the bridge as shown in the picture. My v63 was delivered to me brand new with the bridge facing the mutes. I believe the the bridge is more stable when the adjustment screws face the bridge. When I realized the difference, I turned the bridge on my 4003 around, remembering to move the saddles with their respective string. What do you do? Which way do you prefer? Has anyone else noticed the difference?

I have owned 8 Rics ... all of them had the screws facing towards the back of the bass ... not the mute ... the only excepting is my 2030 and 4004 ... they have a completely different bridge ...

There are some players who turn the bridge around for easier adjustment ...

Mine face the mute. I never had to adjust the intonation, but it doesn't seem hard since I have those screwdrivers that are bent at an angle.

I have personally owned 8 4001 / 4003 basses, and sold many new and used ones as a music store retailer back in the 80's. They all have / had the heads of the bridge screws facing the tail end of the bass.

Yes I have owned many myself and have never seen them facing the mute.

Depending on the year of the bass or the year of the tailpiece assembly, I think the bridge tends to rock forward a bit. With the screws facing the mute, I've had a better experience with the bridge than when the screws were facing the back end. I like the action somewhat high compared to most folk here, so the rocking bridge really posed a problem for me. Problem solved, though. Ah, the Rickenbacker bass bridge. Thank god the guy who designed it didn't engineer suspension bridges too or else we'd all be dead...