Tuners on a '77 4001

alanz · Post by **alanz** » Mon May 16, 2005 11:37 am

I'm not sure I should post this here or in the tech support area.

I have a 1977 4001 with the original tuners. This bass has been played a LOT in its life but is in good mechanical shape overall. However, I have become disenchanted with the tuners; they seem a little worn, especially the E string's and as a result don't really hold a tune; it goes a microtone flat after playing it for a minute (or less).

I have tried tightening the screw that anchors the round gear, but that just makes turning the tuner "elephant ear" more difficult.

Can anyone give me some ideas as to what would be a good replacement tuner that does NOT require any non-reversable mods?

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon May 16, 2005 12:27 pm

you can get brand new tuners that look virtually identical to the old ones and even say Rickenbacker on them ... try Mike Parks http://www.the-music-connection.com/ric.htm or Pick of the Ricks http://www.pickofthericks.com/Rickenbacker_index3.htm both of them sell spare parts for your Rickenbacker

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Mon May 16, 2005 12:39 pm

Before you discard your tuners, are your strings wound around the post correctly? I ask only because it is very common to see strings that are not properly inserted into the post and wound with enough turns. I have found 3 to be the best on the E string. The spiral should start near the top of the post and work downward. This helps to provide good downforce on the nut. The string end should always be inside the patent head (post). Also, make sure your patent is clean and oil / grease free. Guitar polish can make them too slick to hold the string. Some people put light oil on the tuner gear that sometimes finds it's way to the patent and the string.

alanz · Post by **alanz** » Mon May 16, 2005 12:56 pm

Thanks!

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon May 16, 2005 2:16 pm

actually I have 2 sets of chrome 4003 tuners and 2 sets of black 4003 tuners ... I can sell you a set of slightly used ones cheaper than the new ones ...

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Mon May 16, 2005 3:09 pm

Also that bass most likely has reverse tuners on it that are not currently made that I know of although as was said before the current ones look similar.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon May 16, 2005 3:16 pm

some of us prefer the forward tuners ... Cooper and I hate the backwards tuners ... it is a '77 so I would put on new tuners ... if it was a 71 I might keep the old ones ... well I'd probably change those as well ... the old ones are tarnished and have loose screws ... the new ones are shiny and stay in tune ... but then again I am not too concerned with tradition ... I am more concerned with functionality ...

When ever I restore a 70's Ric bass I usually put on 4003 tuners and sell the old ones ...

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Mon May 16, 2005 4:06 pm

I like the reverse tuners they are easier to turn for me, I'm just letting him know he has something on the bass which is a potential collectable that's all.

alanz · Post by **alanz** » Tue May 17, 2005 6:52 am

My intent was to keep the old tuners around but put new parts on it to make it a more reliable player.

But as I think about it more and more, maybe what I REALLY need to do is just "keep" the '77 and go get a more modern 4003 to play. The '77 has a strong symbolic value to me; maybe I shouldn't be taking it to gigs, you know?

Hmmm...

alanz · Post by **alanz** » Tue May 17, 2005 6:53 am

A couple of pictures, including the backside of the head.

http://www.pbase.com/alanz01/rickenbacker_4001

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Tue May 17, 2005 7:11 am

A 70's Ric bass is still a good gigging bass ... but a modern 4003 is even better ... you can put new tuners on the '77 and keep the old ones in the case for when you sell it ... putting modern tuners on a 70's ric bass doesn't ruin its value ...

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Tue May 17, 2005 12:44 pm

That is a really nice looking bass, I love those white/whites. I agree a new 4003 is a much better gigging bass.