Rickenbacker 4003 Bridge saddle screw hole is broken... really really poor QC?

deliciouspesto · #1 02-03-2009, 07:33 PM

Hey guys,
I have had this dead E string for a while now and while it may yet be a dead string, I have found something while resetting the bridge assembly. The Bridge part(As seen here:http://www.ricsrus.com/Spare-Parts/C...idge%20big.jpg) is cracked where the crew hole is.. essentially, whoever machined the hole made it far too close to the bottom edge and it actually cracked. Additionally, when the screw is in the edge of the screw sticks out off the bottom... just a tiny bit, but still.... so when it is on a flat surface like a table it isn't quite flush. Additionally, one of the springs (for the g string) isn't the same type of spring as the others... its lightweight.

Anyway, what do you guys think? Would this cracked saddle screw hole and the non-flat surface cause the low output e string?

Thank you.

Linas · #2 02-03-2009, 07:44 PM

Its possible, but i doubt it. When i had a rick, it had a "dead" sounding E compared to the rest of the strings and regardless what i did in terms of string swaps, and set ups i couldnt get it to completely go away.

deliciouspesto · #3 02-03-2009, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linas

Its possible, but i doubt it. When i had a rick, it had a "dead" sounding E compared to the rest of the strings and regardless what i did in terms of string swaps, and set ups i couldnt get it to completely go away.

You mean you had a dead e string until you got rid of the bass?

lousybassplayer · #4 02-03-2009, 07:51 PM

If you have high gains with the adjustable screw posts, level them all out and re-set the pickup height. That e string thing is common. Toasties, horseshoes etc; your SOL. The new high gains with the adjustable poles are great. However, if you have anything broken, get a hold of RIckenbacker. They should be willing to help.

deliciouspesto · #5 02-03-2009, 07:53 PM

Hey lousy,
I don't have the pickups with the adjustable pole pieces- and it wouldn't matter, the tone isn't the same for the e string so more volume would not help. Would Rick be willing to help an old bass?

lousybassplayer · #6 02-03-2009, 08:10 PM

Ahh-so. It will help the tone some I've been told, but your right, if its that bad it wouldn't be sufficient. Moot anyway since you haven't got them. Are you in the Rick forum on the company site? All the big RIck employees including John cruise that forum frequently, plus the biggest Rick experts I have ever met hang out there. They can help you much more than I can. I will say this, say to any of them that Rick is lousy QC and that'll get the attention of those in a position to prove you wrong (in a good way).

Ric5 · #7 02-03-2009, 09:43 PM

If it is a new bass then use the warranty ... if not then replace the screws ...

or get the hipshot replacement bridge ...

Ric5 · #8 02-03-2009, 10:09 PM

I might have a spare Ric bridge in my parts bin ... if you need one ...

JLS · #9 02-04-2009, 08:52 AM

Ric bridges...gaaaah...

Ric5 · #10 02-04-2009, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLS

Ric bridges...gaaaah...

The Ric tailpiece bridge assembly looks pretty but it is a pain in the but to work with ...

Ric5 · #11 02-04-2009, 06:04 PM

I sent you a replacement part bridge in the mail today ...

skreehaw · #12 02-04-2009, 09:54 PM

Go Hipshot ! got em on all my rickys . Cant go wrong there

skreehaw · #13 02-04-2009, 10:00 PM

John ( I AM JESUS CHRIST ) Hall Keeps blathering about this new Rick designed (BY HIM NO LESS) Bridge we will never see . That being the case . The hipshot is you only reall fully adjustable non altering bridge alternative . Hey Jeff Rath . Finally got booted off the forum for good this time lol. Those sad Zealots over there . I see why you left . Hope to chat with you some time . Jaymi and i are hanging out here and the beat gear cavern from now on . I got booted for saying ricks bridges were made of pot metal lol. Do you believe that **** ! He's just mad because im right .

Ric5 · #14 02-04-2009, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skreehaw

John ( I AM JESUS CHRIST ) Hall Keeps blathering about this new Rick designed (BY HIM NO LESS) Bridge we will never see . That being the case . The hipshot is you only reall fully adjustable non altering bridge alternative . Hey Jeff Rath . Finally got booted off the forum for good this time lol. Those sad Zealots over there . I see why you left . Hope to chat with you some time . Jaymi and i are hanging out here and the beat gear cavern from now on . I got booted for saying ricks bridges were made of pot metal lol. Do you believe that **** ! He's just mad because im right .

Ya ... that forum kicked me off for saying that I liked a jazz bass better than a Ric ... they list the 4004cii 5 string on their web site but they aren't making those either ...

It looks like they will just keep on making the same old 4 string basses for a while with the old bridges ...

Did you see what I did to my 4004?

The bridge on this one is Schaller ... it works just fine ...

This forum has its quirks too ... people start threads and say what do you think of XXXX basses ... then when they get a negative comment they get offended. I guess what they meant was tell me what you think of XXXX basses but only if you can blow smoke up my butt.

MOD EDIT: PLEASE REREAD THE USAGE AGREEMENT.

But for the most part this forum is pretty diverse and pretty good. That was the problem with the RicResource forum they only wanted positive comments on Rickenbackers. But there is no bass that is perfect even Rics. What other company sells a $2000 bass that has a tailpiece that pulls up on at least 25% of the delivered units?

Jaymi · #15 02-04-2009, 11:08 PM

Most of us with any knowledge of ric basses know that the bridge is a piece of dog****....I am on the hipshot bandwagon also...

skreehaw · #16 02-04-2009, 11:10 PM

Yeah , Thats all they invision there . Rainbows, Unicorns,poodles and balloons ..etc. I couldnt take it all anymore it was sucking the life out of me Any post even remotly questioning a product or item . always got either locked out or just plain deleted . When i confronted Peter he just painted it all over with his goody two shoes B.S. . That bass is smokin Jeff !!!!

skreehaw · #17 02-04-2009, 11:29 PM

Hey Jeff, You wouldnt happen to have the original humbuckers off that bass would you ? If you do , Id like to buy them if they are for sale . Got a project bass in the works that needs em.

Relic · #18 02-05-2009, 07:05 AM

Hey guys, just perusing this thread and happened upon what you guys mentioned in regards to a weak E string being common? Mine is like that and it's driving me nuts. It's a 1980 4001 w/ the high gains - are those pole pieces adjustable or is it just the newer ones that are? If they are adjustable and I can get that E string tweaked a bit I'd be a happy camper.
Oh, and +1 to the hipshot bridge. For as much as I love Ricks, I despise the stock bridge.

Ric5 · #19 02-05-2009, 08:07 AM

The wimpy E string is a problem on some basses ... and some non-Rics ... My solution is to add a 5th string ... the additional tension of the 5th string helps the resonance of the bass. An easier solution is to use fatter high tension strings. Another solution is to drill 2 holes for the bridge allen screws to pass through the tailpiece and put an aluminum block under the tailpiece that the allen screws will now sit on. Or get the Hipshot replacement bridge. Also adding 2 extra screws that prevent the tailpiece pullup can also help increase sustain.

I think the problem with the wimpy E string is the neck is overdesigned. This is a reaction to the 60s 4001 basses which had weak necks. But the weak necks resonated nicely.

Also getting the pickups closer to the strings can improve the sound as well.

lousybassplayer · #20 02-05-2009, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Relic

Hey guys, just perusing this thread and happened upon what you guys mentioned in regards to a weak E string being common? Mine is like that and it's driving me nuts. It's a 1980 4001 w/ the high gains - are those pole pieces adjustable or is it just the newer ones that are? If they are adjustable and I can get that E string tweaked a bit I'd be a happy camper.
Oh, and +1 to the hipshot bridge. For as much as I love Ricks, I despise the stock bridge.

If it has the hex heads on the pole it is, but I didn't think that design was around in 1980. Could be wrong. And I more or less agree on the forum thing. I scour it for info mostly, but God help you if you trash on Ricks (which to a number of them is saying anything but Jesus would have endorsed Rick and condemned the souls of all other manufacturers) Still, some of the guys in there aren't that bad and they do have a lot of good advice. Haven't had many problems with my bridge, apart from the lack of adjustability and intonation is a pain in the ass to screw with. Considering an upgrade in the future, but its not pressing me now.