Rickenbacker 4003 tailpiece info

[Iristone]

I also have the Hipshot, and IMHO it's MUCH better than the stock V1 bridge (unlike the Gibson Hipshot that isn't better than the stock 3-point at all). The stock V2 bridge would be about as good and includes the mute if you like it, but it needs a few more drilling.

 

[sunbeast]

I also have the Hipshot, and IMHO it's MUCH better than the stock V1 bridge (unlike the Gibson Hipshot that isn't better than the stock 3-point at all). The stock V2 bridge would be about as good and includes the mute if you like it, but it needs a few more drilling.

The Hipshot Supertone is great on a Thunderbird or other flat-top bass! Not designed for basses with a suspended 2 or 3-point bridge though. You get adjustable string spacing, adjustable action per string (often Gibson/Epiphone bridge saddles have fixed radius that don’t accurately match the neck radius!), and a long-enough afterlength that you don’t get string silks or bulges in the speaking length of the strings. It’s better for nearly all the same reasons the Hipshot Ric bridge is better IMO

 

[Iristone]

The Hipshot Supertone is great on a Thunderbird or other flat-top bass! Not designed for basses with a suspended 2 or 3-point bridge though. You get adjustable string spacing, adjustable action per string (often Gibson/Epiphone bridge saddles have fixed radius that don’t accurately match the neck radius!), and a long-enough afterlength that you don’t get string silks or bulges in the speaking length of the strings. It’s better for nearly all the same reasons the Hipshot Ric bridge is better IMO

No it wasn't; all it did was pulling out the bridge studs and made palm muting and foam muting difficult. It was not properly designed unlike the Ric one which helped with easier palm muting.

 

[Iristone]

For individual string height adjustment on a Gibson bass, a "brutal" option would be some nylon saddles I found for sale (but forgot the seller). I could grind the grooves down for lower action, or use nylon powder with superglue to raise the action. It's basically a Tune-O-Matic, and I don't see it a problem unless I play a taper E-only string set.

 

[Iristone]

pulling out the bridge studs

Now that I think of it, maybe I should install the original front screw all the way down instead of removing it. The original 3-point Tune-O-Matic can be locked in place by raising the front screw, and maybe the Hipshot also benefits from using the original front screw as a rising shim?

 

[woodyng2]

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.

The gold one is substantially higher priced than the nickle,chrome, or black versions.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a gold one installed, although it would probably look great on the right colors….

 

[woodyng2]

I’m one of the few people who actually prefer the simpler, more modern look of the hipshot.
But one day I was bored, and had some black material from a peel off sticker, and came up with this.
It fools the eye pretty well……now looking back on this, I should’ve blacked out the area under the saddle screws, too.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

These are running $200 on Amazon, so they have increased $50 in the last 5 years or so. That’s some serious inflation!

https://www.amazon.com/Hipshot-Brass-Bridge-Rickenbacker-Bass/dp/B089FK3R78

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Cool looking bass Woody! Dig the big toaster knobs.

 

[Gizmot]

I’ve written before that I kicked myself in the ass for not buying a Hipshot for my Ric years before I did. I was not prepared for the improvement in playability and sound that the Hipshot made.