Rickenbacker 4003 tailpiece info

[53Rockets]

Hello!
I'm super excited to be able to ask this question:

I just bought my first Ric today, a Jetglo 4003. Only Visa is happier than I am right now!

I had to buy it from across the country, but it's from a reputable dealer so I rolled the dice. I noticed in the pics it has what looks like an aftermarket bridge.
It looks like a Hipshot, but I'm only going by a google search. Can anyone confirm or deny?

If it is a Hipshot, how do Ric people feel about them? I prefer the look of the 4003V2 assembly and would be willing to swap it out if there's any benefit.

Any opinions would be great. I'll be asking an irritating amount of Ric related questions in the near future.
Thanks for any help!

 

[DrBnz]

I did that mod to my Ric as well. I like it better only in that it's smooth / easy on the hands. Whereas the original has the mute thing going on and a lot of sharp things getting in the way. Mine was a huge improvement (or so I thought). Here you can see one with / one without.

 

[53Rockets]

I did that mod to my Ric as well. I like it better only in that it's smooth / easy on the hands. Whereas the original has the mute thing going on and a lot of sharp things getting in the way. Mine was a huge improvement (or so I thought). Here you can see one with / one without.

View attachment 7435748

Beauties! Ironically, just going by pictures, I thought the Hipshot looked like it had some sharp edges. I guess I'll know when I get my hands on it. The fretboard on your walnut Ric is gorgeous.

 

[Dabndug]

It's a Hipshot - more user-friendly for setting intonation and makes palm-muting possible (The mute assembly is in the way on the original tailpiece). IMHO not as pretty as the original - a bit "brutalist" vs "mid-century modern".

 

[woodyng2]

Beauties! Ironically, just going by pictures, I thought the Hipshot looked like it had some sharp edges. I guess I'll know when I get my hands on it. The fretboard on your walnut Ric is gorgeous.

It’s definitely a hipshot bridge. I’ve used them on several of my old Ricks, and loved everything about them. I had the aluminum version which was great, played a few with the brass version, didn’t care for them. There are no sharp edges that I recall.
As far as the esthetic of it, I think the minimalist look of it goes better with the dot neck models, better still with the even simpler design of the 4000.

 

[woodyng2]

It's a Hipshot - more user-friendly for setting intonation and makes palm-muting possible (The mute assembly is in the way on the original tailpiece). IMHO not as pretty as the original - a bit "brutalist" vs "mid-century modern".

Not only an improvement for palm muting(which I hardly ever do anyway), having the teeth removed gives a larger area for
better string access for playing between the bridge and pickup. (Which is my preferred place to pick or pluck the strings.)

 

[woodyng2]

Op-the V2 version will require additional drilling as they are not the same as the old bridges.
From what I’ve seen, the v2 also has taken the sharp edges of the mute assembly to new heights, making it even more of a hindrance than the older ones. And all in service of a device that works poorly on a good day, and ruins the sound of a great bass…..(my opinion).

 

[53Rockets]

This is great information to have. All in all, this sounds like an upgrade I eventually would've gotten around to making. A really pleasant surprise. I did some research after these responses and they (the Hipshot) don't seem to come cheap.

 

[woodyng2]

I sold my 4000 4 years ago, and have been happy with my 4004 models. (great ABM bridges)
I haven’t kept up with pricing on all of the current options,
so I just checked a minute ago….the V2 is $190 (plus exorbitant shipping costs artificially manipulated by RIC).
The chrome aluminum hipshot is $243 with free fedex shipping. Not much difference in pricing there.
Back when I bought my hipshots they were under $150.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Yep Hipshot all the way, and IMHO a huge leap forward compared to the OEM.

 

[Muttleybass]

If memory serves, the original bridge on my '74 had little triangle saddles. I was a pretty hard player so I used to snap strings at the bridge quite a lot. The original bridge lifted so I took it in and the guy suggested a Hipshot. HUGE difference. Way easier to set up, don't think I broke a string after that on it.

Highly recommended.

 

[mikecd1]

Congrats on your new bass! Def the Hipshot upgraded bridge which says it only fits basses before 2020, but not sure if that's still the case or not. Tore up my hand on sharp edges for years over the mute compartment on my 4001 so I envy you. Whatever the case, you look to have a mighty purdy Jetglo and hope you enjoy for many moons to come!

 

[Gilmourisgod]

The new Ric V2 bridge is big improvement over the original, but it seems like an overly complex 2-piece design, and still has the nearly useless mute assembly, which prevents palm-muting behind the bridge pickup. The Hipshot is arguably better than either the V1 or V2. The only knock I've heard on the Hipshot is the saddles rattling, don't know if they fixed that, and the heavier brass version may change the balance slightly. The prices on the new Hipshot are pushing $250, which is $100 more than they used to be, which seems a bit greedy on Hipshot's part, but I guess that's what the market will bear. Nice score there, and you got the MUCH better Ric tolex silver case, not the slightly crappy plastic standard one they ship them with now.

 

[53Rockets]

I sold my 4000 4 years ago, and have been happy with my 4004 models. (great ABM bridges)
I haven’t kept up with pricing on all of the current options,
so I just checked a minute ago….the V2 is $190 (plus exorbitant shipping costs artificially manipulated by RIC).
The chrome aluminum hipshot is $243 with free fedex shipping. Not much difference in pricing there.
Back when I bought my hipshots they were under $150

I'm in Canada and a quick google search gave me these prices, and $419 CAD at Amazon. Let's just say I'm extremely happy that this Ric was in my price range and comes with the upgrade.

 

[53Rockets]

Congrats on your new bass! Def the Hipshot upgraded bridge which says it only fits basses before 2020, but not sure if that's still the case or not. Tore up my hand on sharp edges for years over the mute compartment on my 4001 so I envy you. Whatever the case, you look to have a mighty purdy Jetglo and hope you enjoy for many moons to come!

Thank you! Super excited. Finding a lefty in my price range, and in great shape was a lucky break. The upgraded bridge was divine intervention. Not to be too dramatic

 

[53Rockets]

The new Ric V2 bridge is big improvement over the original, but it seems like an overly complex 2-piece design, and still has the nearly useless mute assembly, which prevents palm-muting behind the bridge pickup. The Hipshot is arguably better than either the V1 or V2. The only knock I've heard on the Hipshot is the saddles rattling, don't know if they fixed that, and the heavier brass version may change the balance slightly. The prices on the new Hipshot are pushing $250, which is $100 more than they used to be, which seems a bit greedy on Hipshot's part, but I guess that's what the market will bear. Nice score there, and you got the MUCH better Ric tolex silver case, not the slightly crappy plastic standard one they ship them with now.

Thanks! Prices I've found in Canada for the Hipshot are $350-$419 CAD. Definitely happy about the upgrade. And now I find out even the case is good quality. I might buy a lottery ticket today...

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Yeah, those cases are running $435 on Chicago Music Exchange, which is $15 less than I paid for my 4001 with a black Tolex case in 1978! The standard plastic ones they provide now are junk, the "feet" on the case edge break if you drop it, they punch right through the case. Unfortunately NOBODY but Rickenbacker makes a fitted case for a 4001 or 4003, unless you want to roll the dice on a Chickenbacker case. You scored!

Rickenbacker 94510 Vintage 300 Series Case

Genuine Rickenbacker Vintage Style Semi Hollow Guitar Case.Silver Tolex with Black Ends and Leather Handle. Fits any 300 series 6 or 12 string guitar.

www.chicagomusicexchange.com

 

[newfuture]

Yep, hipshot, and fully a worthwhile upgrade. Have them on a '67 and an '81. I've kept the originals, but won't be putting them back on until or if I sell

 

[Giffro]

I'm in Canada and a quick google search gave me these prices, and $419 CAD at Amazon. Let's just say I'm extremely happy that this Ric was in my price range and comes with the upgrade.

Bought my Hipshot Ric replacement bridge in Dec 2025 (I opted for the brass model) at a cost of AUST dollars $333...certainly expensive and due to various health reasons at this point I still havent installed it, but will get it done soon. I have played 4000, 4001 and 4003 Rics since the 70's-80's (and like woody) I rarely palm mute (and the toothed bridge never bothered me anyway) and I always pick between bridge and pickup too, but the advantage for me was the extra side-ways string spacing adjust and string height adjustments available with the Hipshot for better intonation especially. I replaced similar Hipshot bridges on my Fender P and Peavey P style basses also for reasons given above...far better adjustment for intonation. Enjoy your Ric.

 

[sunbeast]

I love the Hipshot and have installed one on all the 4001/3 basses I've owned. Depending on neck angle, setup, and playing style sometimes there isn't enough break-angle to keep the saddles in place in their little grooves. If you find that issue, I have had luck with some little hardware store pieces that I use to shim between the saddles. For me the Hipshot was a must as I palm-mute as a regular technique on bass (both picking and finger style) and that is not very practical with the stock bridge design.