Replacement bridge

jocke · Post by **jocke** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 1:26 pm

I read somewhere about a replacement bridge being made for the 4001/4003 basses with easier adjustings etc.
Has this been verified somehow?
Any news or any info is welcomed!

jps · Post by **jps** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 1:56 pm

Patience Grasshopper...Hipshot is working on the project. And John Hall has mentioned that he has a prototype for an official RIC replacement.

jocke · Post by **jocke** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 4:55 am

Do you know if these bridges will be without the mutes so I can handmute while playing with a pick or my thumb? Thats the biggest problem for me with these bridges.

jps · Post by **jps** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 5:46 am

The Hipshot will not have a mute, I don't know about the RIC version as there has never been any photos posted.

jocke · Post by **jocke** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 5:54 am

Great. Thanks!

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 8:05 am

I can hand mute with a pick, your bridge must be low.

marty · Post by **marty** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 8:16 am

I think the bridge is one area where the 4001/4003's could be improved to save loads of hassle when adjusting intonation.

There's an article here about a solution:
http://personal.nbnet.nb.ca/mccorp/framespage.html

This would be great if they came like this from the factory.....still the same cosmetically but as far as practicality goes, seems much better.

Edit...Sorry, when you go to the link, go to 'articles' on the left, then scroll down to 'technical data' and 'adjustment of 4000 series bridge'.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 8:24 am

You guys know I have to ask this ...

does the new bridge come in a 5 string version?

jps · Post by **jps** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 10:02 am

Most likely no as it is intended to replace the most common variety of bridge.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 11:24 am

(See Jeff thrashing wildly in frustration and cursing!)

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 1:49 pm

Jeff,
Talked to my guy today, he is going to have a look at my bridge tomorrow, he thinks he can do them! So there is hope!

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 2:40 pm

5 and 8 string versions ...

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 7:49 pm

So demanding you are! Can't you do a mod yourself on an 8 string project, or do you want 8 individual saddles?

ricnbacker · Post by **ricnbacker** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 4:19 am

i have heard a lot of talk about the bridge being a bad design on the rics and that 2 problems occur.
1- it lifts up slightly off the body
2- intonation is difficult to achieve

i have had my ric for only 3 years.( a relative infant to you others who have had rics for 20 plus years) so far the bridge is fine
the intonation is perfect.

the guy who i trust to adjust my bass when needed has never said anything about the intonation on my bass being difficult.he actually says that its the best neck bridge he has ever had to deal with.

maybe i got lucky

keb · Post by **keb** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 4:57 am

The only thing that really bothers me about the bridge is the mute contraption. I much prefer to palm mute on the fly (especially in the middle of a tune) than deal with a couple thumbscrews. I don't have the heart (or the tools) to hack away the intruding bridge parts yet though.