How do I raise the string dampener on my 4003?

Setup, repair and restoration of Rickenbacker Instruments

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helterskelter
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How do I raise the string dampener on my 4003?

Post by helterskelter »

I know it sounds abit silly, but I cant seem to get that little black foam pad up, Id just like to try it out after a year or so of owning this ric, Ive been turning the little metal knobs on both sides of the bridge but not seem to be getting anywhere.
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iamthebassman
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Post by iamthebassman »

Hmm..well that's how you do it. Are the knobs loose feeling? You can unscrew them from the mute plate if you turn them too far, but they usually fall out then. Clockwise raises them.
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helterskelter
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Post by helterskelter »

Hey Ronn, Well they seem to be in a stiff (fixed may be another word) position and when i rotate them they go loose, then seem to tighten up again.
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iamthebassman
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Post by iamthebassman »

I've found it's best to turn each one a bit then the other, turning one a lot then trying to turn the other doesn't work very well.
Can you pull up on the knobs while turning?
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jwr2

Post by jwr2 »

the rubber pad may be stuck ... disassembly and reassembly may be required for proper function ... some people also trim the width of the pad a few mm ...
helterskelter
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Post by helterskelter »

Thanks, finally got it sorted out and is working 100% now, was sticking on one side preventing the A, D and G strings side from raising, I think maybe since it had never been used before it became set in place, Ive put them up and down a few times now to ease it up, and now works fine,also made a change to flatwounds, sounds great. Thanks for help guys.
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