Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

So...

I would like to do something more permanent.

The G string of my 4003s buzzes when played open, sounds fine at the first fret. I suspect the nut slot has worn down too low.

Can I build it up with something?
If so, what? Glue?

On my basses I couldn't tell you what the reliefs are set to, it's more of a feel thing for me. Except for measuring the height of the strings at the last fret everything else is done by feel/eyesight to get the basses to play how I like them; moderately low action with just enough relief to allow ...

For starters, what is the neck relief like on the bass now?

That's capo at first fret, hold down at last fret and measure at... 9th fret? If so then just under 1.0mm for the E string. I'm having to use a small metal ruler; my feeler gauges are in storage somewhere...


And, the height of the ...

I would like to lower the action on my '82 4003s but the grub screws will fall out if I loosen them any more - is this a sign my truss rods need to be adjusted?

Can anyone point me to a good setup tutorial, ideally specific to Rickenbacker basses?

cjj wrote: Thu Jul 18, 2024 8:23 pm What finish on your 4003s?

Well...it used to be brown, I'm not sure of the official name - perhaps Walnut? Then about 20 or so years ago I stripped it down to bare wood and applied a few coats of Birchwood Casey Tru Oil gunstock oil...I guess it now looks kinda Maple-glo?

Where can I find replacement screws for the pickguards and bridge pickup surround of my 4003s?
I saw sets of them on a website a few years ago but can't find them now.

cjj wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2024 6:26 pm I live near West Melton...

Cool. I used to live at Orana Wildlife Park. Yes, in the zoo. (Interpret that how you like.)

I play a 4003s.

cjj wrote: Fri Jul 12, 2024 6:40 pm

syncop8r wrote: Fri Jul 12, 2024 3:16 am Hi... I'm in Motueka.

Well, there's at least 2 of us in South Island then!

Where are you situated?
I used to live in Christchurch.

Hi... I'm in Motueka.

cassius987 wrote: Tue Jul 02, 2024 7:26 am Taking the finish off the fingerboard is probably harder than removing from other places, I would imagine?

From (distant) memory, yes, but not overly difficult.

I recall digging white filler or something out of the fretboard grain and filling with something that was a better colour match.

I mulled this over and my recollection is also that it is impossible to do a normal blend pot with a ROS circuit. But with a DPDT switch you could probably make it work (pull up to go into "ROS mode").

What does DPDT stand for?

It's all sounding a bit hard anyway... I'll just try to get the ...

jps wrote: Mon Jul 01, 2024 10:47 am Replacing the switch with a pan/blend pot can get a bit tricky to do if the bass has ROS.

Which mine has.

ram wrote: Mon Jul 01, 2024 8:39 am Not sure which bass you are talking about. The two Volume knobs on 4001/4003 sorta already do that/ I did it (the blend) with my 4004C and love it. it originally had a single Volume for both pickups. HTH

You're right, it's a bit redundant with the two volume knobs.
It's a 4003s.