Rickenbacker 4003 - Through the body stringing

[groucho]

I am getting a new 4003, and have not had much experience
with Ricks - many many years experience with Fender and
Fender - like basses tho '

I have read much here on this site and others about the
potential advantages of stringing through the body, as well
as the opinion that it does nothing for you

I have seen comments about the bridge "pulling up" on Ricks,
so I am asking - is there a reason to consider making one
a through the body stringer? Is there a reason this is just
not done on a Rick?

 

[KojakCurtis]

I wouldn't do it. It could be a unnesecary mod. Some develope it, some don't. If it does become an issue, you can always add a couple of screws through the bridge.

 

[pilotjones]

Rick tailpieces don't pull up. They appear that way because the casting actually curves up on the backside just a little as you approach the back end of the bass. So, there is an air gap there, but it's not from pulling up, it's the shape of the bridge (which does make full contact at the front end).

Also, John Hall of Rickenbacker attributes some of the Ric tone to the low break angle over the bridge saddles, so if he's right, you wouldn't want to monkey with that.