Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Nut_07.png So, here I am. I got the files and worked the slots down by a decent amount. I guess I could still go further down, but it's hard to tell for me, the strings are low enough that I can't really measure their height anymore. Also, since I already removed roughly 0.5mm on each slot, I'll ...

The pre slotted nuts from RIC are for the modern necks, which tend to be a bit wider than the older 4001's, so if used on your 4001, the E and G strings will be a bit close to the edge of the fingerboard. Buying any nut, and then fining the bottom is far from precise. I'd fill the original slot ...

Sorry for the double-post, I just wanted to mention an alternative I saw after having a look around:

I could remove the nut wholesale, and replace it with a pre-slotted one, where I would just have to file at the bottom in order to adjust the height.
That'd be much cheaper than the files, but only ...

I see. Thanks for clearing that up.
So, what should I do? Fill up the sawblade cuts and pad the bottom of the slots in the manner you mentioned (super glue + plastic/metal filings), get a decent set of files and height gauges and give them a proper shape? Or are they too damaged for that?

On a ...

Understood! Thank you for your input. I've looked up what some proper files would cost, and while they are indeed expensive, I'm pretty sure that they're about the same if not cheaper than having the job done by a tech or luthier. That is, if we agree on a specific test by which I could determine ...

I see. Hm.
Thank you for the info, I'll see whether I feel confident enough to do it. I mean, I certainly have tools that should do the trick.

However, what do I have to pay attention to in order to know whether I'm low enough? From guides and tips on the subject that I managed to find elsewhere ...

Ah ha! That explanation makes sense! And I certainly don't mind the wordiness, ha ha! Gives me more stuff to fill the holes in my brain with.
I quite certainly don't mind engaging in some DIY, but from what I understand this probably is a bit too sensitive to handle myself. I guess I'll call my ...

This is why most prefer unlined fingerboards for a fretless instrument. Lines are sometimes a useful guide but in the end, when playing a fretless instrument, listening for the correct pitch is the most important tool. Upright basses, and the great majority of fretless acoustic instruments, have a ...

Um, use your ears! :wink:

Which part are you referring to? Do you mean the second one, about "reverse-engineering" the problem, with the pictures?
As I said, the finger positions shown in the pictures give me the correct pitch for the note assigned to the that fret.

I'm merely suggesting that ...

So, the correct position would be somewhere between these two positions, adjusting it to how thick and stiff the string is; making sure that the "point of separation" between the string and the fretboard lies on the fretline?
That's pretty much it. There may be a tiny allowance for fingers ...

If you place your finger directly over the fret line, the string will actually be in contact with the fingerboard a little further down the fingerboard towards the bridge, making the note slightly sharp. You need to move your finger a little towards the nut - the exact spot will differ from person ...

NOTE

I forgot to mention this: although this bass is right-handed, I play it left-handed.
So, in the pictures above showing how I "fret" notes, the nut is towards the right, and the bridge towards the left side.
Just in case.

All right, thank you very much! If incorrect technique turns out to be the main culprit here, that's going to be much less worrisome.
So I would have to place my finger more or less like this to play the note properly, yes? (maybe slightly more towards the right)

Thanks, everyone! To answer in order...
Given that you're probably intonating using the dots on the side of the neck, I'll bet they're off. I've had to mod saddles for rearward travel, but not THAT much. If you have a fretted 4001 or 4003, take a measurement to the 12th fret and transfer it to your ...

I've been trying for the first time to properly setup and intonate my 4001 FL using instructions from the internet (mostly Joey's Bass Notes , but others too as required).

I've restarted several times, but every time I end up stuck at the same issue: when it comes to adjust the saddles for a ...