New 2019 Rickenbacker Bridge

[Garret Graves]

Perfect Garret!
Thanks for posting.
Out of curiosity, did you use a drill press or "wing it" by hand (handheld drill)?

*edit* Oh, one other question. You de-soldered from the mute support plate. Did you re-solder at the same place.

I used a handheld drill with a tape stop, so as to not drill too deep.
I resoldered at the same spot on new bridge (mute support plate).
Installed new strings, set spacing and string height, tomorrow will do intonation, though it’s pretty close from matching distance on old strings. I’m the type who complained about the old bridge and it’s difficult intonation procedures, so I’m happy with the ease of set up here. With the old bridge, to intonate the strings, you have to loosen all 4 strings until they were floppy enough to pull the whole bridge out, then you could move the saddles. If you couldn’t move the saddle enough, you had to remove the saddle and flip it, and none of those things were easy to do- now it’s not an issue anymore. Now, if I want to try different string types and gauges, it’s not a pain to set up the intonation, it’s super quick, no disassembly. For those who don’t intonate their basses at all after string changes, and you wonder why your bass is out of tune when you play it up high, even after you carefully tune it- that’s why- you need to intonate so the instrument is in tune with itself. I do it every time, every string change. This bridge is great, a normal set up procedure is no longer a major chore, finally!

 

[andruca]

I wonder if the haters will finally stop ahem...complaining now?

I definitely will, I try to be a fair hater, appreciate the update.

 

[Teijo K.]

You know, it balanced fine before I changed them, still fine after. I changed them as I was swapping the gold hardware for chrome, and I like the Hipshots.

Well this was not what I hoped for. I am actually otherwise quite happy with the stock tuners. If changing them to ultralights doesn't help with the balance issue, I rather not use 200€ on them. So looks like the strap mod is the way to go. Thanks for saving me money I guess.

 

[lowendblues]

Looks like a nice bridge, but you just know someone will drill too deep through the body, and it will be RIC's fault.

 

[Glenn Johnson]

I would buy one in a heartbeat, IF no holes had to be drilled. As it is, my standard bridge is just fine and I can work with it.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

At least they give you the template and drillbit, looks pretty well thought out. I'd use a drill press with a depth stop, hard to screw that up.

 

[Paul Boyer]

View attachment 3620307 View attachment 3620308 View attachment 3620309 View attachment 3620310 View attachment 3620311 Installed the bridge today- took about half hour total. I did take one short cut from the instructions- I desoldered at the bridge instead of removing pick guard and de soldering internally. They even provide the drill bit in the kit!

You install each saddle yourself, right? Maybe it's just the lighting, but it looks as though the rolling saddle in each has a different sized groove. If that is the case, you'll want to rearrange the saddles so the biggest groove is under the E string, etc.

 

[Garret Graves]

You install each saddle yourself, right? Maybe it's just the lighting, but it looks as though the rolling saddle in each has a different sized groove. If that is the case, you'll want to rearrange the saddles so the biggest groove is under the E string, etc.

I think they are all the same- I’ll double check
Edit- you were right, guess I was in a hurry to get it strung up, the rollers are different sizes- fixed it- thanks PB!

 

[Moosehead1966]

$1800Cdn isn't exorbitant. It's pretty much in-line with every good quality USA-made instrument before you start getting into exotic options like buckeye burl tops. Rickenbacker is many things, but overpriced, they ain't. An Ibanez Premium is more money than a Rickenbacker.

I’m located in Ontario and would LOVE to know where I can purchase a new 4003 for $1800 Cdn. Help a fellow Canuck out please.

Marc

 

[Deleted member 271037]

What's next? Will they start using wood screws instead of machine screws for the strap buttons now too? I mean, that would probably cost them $0. Or perhaps they rely on people buying new Ricks when the old one hits the floor and breaks in the middle of a gig because of those "#¤"#% machine screws!!!!

 

[Koshchei]

I’m located in Ontario and would LOVE to know where I can purchase a new 4003 for $1800 Cdn. Help a fellow Canuck out please.

Marc

Slightly used at Long & McQuade. Their performance warranty is insanely good, and more than makes up for the joke of a warranty Rics come with.

 

[Varlam]

I did a brief check out of the new bridge that came installed on a 4003ac model. I like the new bridge with it's available adjustments, it feels quite solid, and it looks good too. I plan on installing the new v2 bridge on both a 2016 and a 2017 4003. I've no qualms about the few new screw holes required, just drill with caution and care. I'm looking forward to what the new bridge will provide.

 

[Garret Graves]

I did a brief check out of the new bridge that came installed on a 4003ac model. I like the new bridge with it's available adjustments, it feels quite solid, and it looks good too. I plan on installing the new v2 bridge on both a 2016 and a 2017 4003. I've no qualms about the few new screw holes required, just drill with caution and care. I'm looking forward to what the new bridge will provide.

Great! Got mine from Pick of the Ricks. It is a solid bridge, no shifting saddles in the grooves, those saddles sit solid, and intonation adjustments run smooth.

 

[Iristone]

Looks like the front bar might impede with palm muting, or is it just an optical illusion?

On second thought, the mute is probably THE BEST muting device I've seen on a bass for non-palm muting. Doesn't seem to push the string out of tune (at least from the looks).

 

[Gilmourisgod]

The problem with the mute is that with only two points of adjustment, if its good at the E and G, it may not be for A and D. You can fiddle it by cutting or shimming the foam, but most people rarely or maybe never use it. It looks cool, but just doesn't work well, and prevents palm muting behind the bridge pup. They kept it to maintain the retro look, not because it's a great mute.

 

[Jeff Scott]

On second thought, the mute is probably THE BEST muting device I've seen on a bass for non-palm muting. Doesn't seem to push the string out of tune (at least from the looks).

As long as one is playing not much beyond the 7th fret it's okay. Beyond that, notes begin to go pretty sharp due to how far "north" the mute pad is from the saddles.

 

[slowburnaz]

I’d be curious to hear what they say. I have an email from them saying this issue was corrected.

I did get an email from Hipshot, saying that the issue I showed them in my video was from not enough downward pressure on the saddle, and that there wasn't much they could suggest to help. So, they offered to give me a refund. I'm shipping it back to them, add once they receive it and inspect it, they'll be issuing the refund.

 

[Auspuff]

I did get an email from Hipshot, saying that the issue I showed them in my video was from not enough downward pressure on the saddle, and that there wasn't much they could suggest to help. So, they offered to give me a refund. I'm shipping it back to them, add once they receive it and inspect it, they'll be issuing the refund.

Stuff happens.

Still a dang good bridge, though.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I did get an email from Hipshot, saying that the issue I showed them in my video was from not enough downward pressure on the saddle, and that there wasn't much they could suggest to help. So, they offered to give me a refund. I'm shipping it back to them, add once they receive it and inspect it, they'll be issuing the refund.

And that's the sign of a good company that respects it's customer base. Sad to say how that compares to the response from Rickenbacker Inc. when the clearcoat peels off. They could learn a few things from Hipshot.

 

[slowburnaz]

And that's the sign of a good company that respects it's customer base. Sad to say how that compares to the response from Rickenbacker Inc. when the clearcoat peels off. They could learn a few things from Hipshot.

Absolutely agree!

I honestly didn't expect them to offer a refund... I was just looking for possible solutions. This bridge just didn't work out for me on this bass.