4005 embarrassment

dswp · Post by **dswp** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 9:45 am

I am new here, so please be don’t be annoyed with a question which I am sure was addressed.

Anyway, I have a 67 4005 FG. It sounds and plays amazing. I have only one complaint. The “E” string loves to pop out of the “R” tailpiece in the middle of my set, when I use it live. The slot for the string is just too small.

I use a medium gage set of strings, (I tried a light gage, it sounded horrible and I still had a problem).

Someone told me to use a vise, and compress the ball tail of the string. I have tried this, and it looks to be a little better. However, I am gun shy of taking it out to play. I saw a 4005 “R” tailpiece for sale ($300.00). Should I buy it and drill it out to fit the newer string sizes? Then I can keep the original tail, as original.

Does anyone else have this problem?

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 11:53 am

Hi Dave,

I know exactly what you have to do… You have to do a deal on my V63 prototype, total 1 off, magnetic horseshoes, photos of it in the Smith book etc….. A FG 4005 is the only way that I am going to part with her!

Seriously though I don’t really know maybe a washer of a perfect size to pass the E string through and yet secure it in the tailpiece would do the trick?

All the best, Bob

jps · Post by **jps** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 12:06 pm

Some folks here have just filed out the slot a bit which works just fine. I always worried about that on mine but have yet to have the string actually pop out. I use a .095 E string to minimize the possibility.

The best solution however is the one presented above by Bob!

dminer · Post by **dminer** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 1:01 pm

Dang, double post!!!!@#$$#@!

dswp · Post by **dswp** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 1:02 pm

Hi Guys, Thanks;

Bob, throw in a 4002 as well, and you have a deal.

Dave

dminer · Post by **dminer** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 1:14 pm

Well, obviously the R tailpiece on the 4005's was originally tooled for a smaller E string. Since using a light gauge string didn't solve the problem and you hated the sound, you might really only have 2 choices: buy the R tailpiece from Rhoads (I'm assuming that's the one you saw for sale) or take a small file or dremel tool and very carefully grind the channel on your tailpiece just a little wider.

I used the dremel method on my 67 and I only had to widen the E slot. A standard 45-100 set fit in the rest of the slots just fine. I didn't grind any deeper, just wider. The R is a brass tailpiece so I doubt if you are weakening the structure too much. I haven't had any problems with my 4005 since the minor operation and she was up and performing that very night.

Perphaps there is an E string that has a smaller profile near the ball or maybe you could remove some of the wrapping thread, but I've never heard of anyone who found such a string or solution to this problem.

I don't really know what kind of light gauge strings you've tried but maybe there's a LG set that would sound better than the ones you tried...Rickenbacker, Thomastik, Pyramid... Anyway, good luck and welcome...there's a pretty big 4005 club here so maybe someone else will chime in with a better solution to the problem...the washer idea sounds viable, has anyone tried it yet?

dswp · Post by **dswp** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 1:16 pm

To all, is $300.00 to much?

dminer · Post by **dminer** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 1:26 pm

Dave,
Well, It has been there for as long as I can remember, but if I had a project 4005 that needed an R tailpiece I'd bite the bullet and get it. You already know what I did to mine and I knew about the $300 R piece before I got mine, but my friends call me Jack Benny sometimes and if your old enough to get that!!

jps · Post by **jps** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 1:27 pm

dswp · Post by **dswp** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 1:29 pm

Yes Mr. Benny

(In my Rodchester voice)

beatlefan · Post by **beatlefan** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 2:39 pm

Hi Dave....I had the same problem on mine, also a '67.... I bit the bullet and went into the garage, where I keep my Dremel....

I slowly put on my goggles, sweating the whole time, tailpiece clamped securely in the vise....and VERY GENTLY "Dremeled" the E string slot....no problem...I now have a .105 Pyramid in there and it sounds GREAT...

....but I wouldn't hesitate to get that friggin' R tailpiece for $300.00!!! They are VERY hard to find at yard sales.... ;^)

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 4:14 pm

damn show off!

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 4:56 pm

Jared he ought to be shot two times even.

los_sentidos · Post by **los_sentidos** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 10:18 pm

*Drools*

dswp · Post by **dswp** » Wed Jun 22, 2005 1:53 am

Chris Nice!!!!!!!!!!!

I always wanted a WB