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Badass bridge on a 4001
Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 3:31 pm
by phlemmy
i've seen a few 4001's with the badass added to them (makes me shudder, actually). is it a direct replacement or are there mods that have to be done to put the original bridge back on?
thanks.
Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 3:39 pm
by rickfan60
The screws of the Badass do not line up with the orginals so holes must be drilled. A Badass can be installed without making any serious (irreversable) mods. Here is a closeup of how it was done on my 4002 many years ago.
The 5 inline holes are for the Badass. The maple plug was installed to fill the pocket that was cut for the original tailpiece. It is about to be removed so I can restore the original hardware.
Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 3:44 pm
by phlemmy
Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 3:46 pm
by rickfan60
Yes, that is a Badass II. The same as the model that was fitted on my bass.
Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 3:49 pm
by rickfan60
Most Badass conversions are not done like mine was. My luthier back then was a major perfectionist. Most Badass II's are just bolted in place over the hole and if you are lucky, someone cut some kind of cover to fit around it.
Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 3:50 pm
by phlemmy
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that bridge on the rick doesn't look like the one pictured in the link above or the one i had on one of my former fenders. not "bulky" enough. *shrug*
Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 3:50 pm
by phlemmy
Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 4:02 pm
by rickfan60
Here it is on my bass.
Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 4:06 pm
by phlemmy
the one the ebay auction doesn't look like the back part of it is thick enough to have "badass ii" cast on it.
nice checkerboard binding on yours. got a full pic of the bass? year?
Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 4:14 pm
by rickfan60
Mine is more than 20 years old. It is possible that at some point the casting changed and the rear part was made thinner. It is also possible that someone is copying the Badass II.
The bass in the picture is my Walnut 79 4002.
Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 4:30 pm
by phlemmy
that is one of the most beautiful basses i have ever seen. man. i didn't know they did the checks that late either.
Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 4:41 pm
by atomic_punk
They only did that on the 4002's that late. (OK, and Shadows...)The 4002 was a special beast. I just love the depth of the finish on that one!
Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 4:45 pm
by rickfan60
The Shadows from 1986 were the last production bass models to feature checkerboard. There is a 4003 variant that was made for the Japanese market that has it. I have never seen one though.
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 12:32 am
by grayk
I have a recent Badass 2 that I have just removed from a P-bass and have to agree with Sean the one in the pic doesnt look quite right. I think it is a copy. Either way the original Ric bridge would be better. Any more news on the Hipshot replacement as yet anybody ?
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 12:56 am
by apollo11
I agree, too. It must be a copy of the Badass II. The real one has higher edges and more beefiness to it. This one seems to be a flat plate with the saddles resting on it, and is has a soft slope to the bottom edge. The BAII is a perfect rectangle shape with 90 degree angles on all four sides.
