4003 String Balance Question from a newbie poster

pauldegooyer · Post by **pauldegooyer** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 3:22 am

Hi guys I have browsed this forum with awe at the depth of knowledge that exists here. Searches have answered many a question I've had about my Rick 6 and 12 string guitars.

I now need some advice on a 2006 4003 I just acquired, beautiful mapleglo with great tone - on the A, D and G strings.

The low E puts out measurably less level and sounds duller. I have tried adjusting the pickups (hi-gains) to angle them more toward the E string; I have tweaked the bridge; I have checked for any symapathetic resonances that might somehow cancel out at the pickups . . . still less output and harmonic content measurable both by ear and Spectrafoo.

I searched and found some info on this issue both here and other places on the web, but no conclusive solution. Seems to be a fairly common issue with this instrument.

Before I invest in new strings, I was wondering if the experts here had any tips. I should note the wildcard is that I have ordered a Hipshot bridge because my particular (poor) style of bass playing requires me to be able to palm-mute cleanly. Perhaps this will help?

Is it a design quirk, a problem with the stock strings or a pickup issue? Any help would be very much appreciated!

Thanks

Paul

dale_fortune · Post by **dale_fortune** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 3:58 am

Welcome Paul. If you raise the button(pole Piece) for the E string pickup, it will balance the volume. Most pickups use a slotted pole piece that can be turned C/C to be raised. If not then use a pliers to grab and raise it up.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 4:04 am

try a good set of new strings ... I have found that some string manufacturers have trouble making good E and low B strings ... for instance when I purchase Hartke or musician's friend strings the A, D, and G strings are good but the E and low B are somewhat dead ...

A more massive bridge will help with sustain and I like to palm mute as well ... also use at least a .105 E string ... high tension fat strings will make your 4003 bass resonate better ... cutting the nut lower helps the tone of the bass as well ... getting the pole pieces close to the strings helps ...

I convert my basses 4-2-5 ... I add a low B ... the extra tension of the extra string helps the resonance of the bass ...

Also the 4003 seems to sound better with the volume levels set asymmetrically ... in other words roll off the neck volume a little ... I find running into a bass pod with distortion and compression helps as well ...

and oh ya ... welcome to the forum ...

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 8:23 am

Welcome aboard, Paul!

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 10:20 am

Sometimes adding just a tad more tension on the E-string-side truss rod will help also. Welcome.

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 11:31 am

I tried all the above and the fact remains that the low E resonance peculiarity is unfortunately an intrinsic problem with the Rick basses. Some basses respond well to some of the 'treatments', others don't. I've found even with that 'foible' the Rick bass E still thunders through, LOUD AND CLEAR!
Just live with it, I have....

dale_fortune · Post by **dale_fortune** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 3:43 pm

That's odd' the Rick Basses I have setup and restored have good volume and tone on the E side once they are adjusted

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 6:19 pm

none of my basses have an E problem ... they all have a low B ...

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 7:32 pm

Yes also every bass I have, once adjusted properly has a great sounding E string. My new 4003FL has a great punchy E and so does my 96 4003. Many older and some newer basses just aren't set up properly and if a set up doesn't fix it there are tricks that help also such as filing down the E slot on the bridge and nut, raising that side of the pickups. Trying different strings, making sure the E is exactly over the button, many others, turning a truss rod a tiny bit. etc.

j_gary · Post by **j_gary** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 7:47 pm

Welcome Paul!

You may want to know that Jeff has hand built many 4 string Rickenbackers into 5 string Rathenbackers. Thus the low B. He is the low to guy and knows what-of he speaks.

There is a rumor of a tuba conversion as well.

thumper · Post by **thumper** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 5:59 pm

sorry but i thought moving the e pole at all would damage the pickup ??

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 6:04 pm

nope ... http://www.3dentourage.com/425/restoration.htm

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 5:00 am

before you mess with the pickup try new strings ... another forum member was disappointed with the sound of a brand new 4003 ... specifically the E string ... a new set of strings did the job ... it now sounds good ...

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 4:41 pm

On older RIC pickups, I am told (by Mr. Silva), there is nothing more than electrical tape between the coil windings and the threads of the drive screws that act as poles and hold the bobbin plates in place. The newer pickups, as Jeff has shown, have different bobbins. On the old ones, it is definitely possible to damage your pickup coil by turning the poles. The risk is greater for the end poles than the middle ones.

Make sure your pickups are installed correctly. The E end and G end are slightly different. If you put the pickups in backwards (as often happens) the bass will not sound right. If you look at the bobbin top carefully you will notice that the poles are not centered exactly on the bobbin plate. They are shifted slightly to one side. The E pole is the one that is closer to its end of the pickup. This holds true for both pickups.

westtexasrickenbacker · Fri Jun 16, 2006 11:16 am

Hi,
Another new poster here and a new owner of a 2006 ricky 4003. I've noticed the same thing on my E-string. There's a volume drop-off.

Ted, are you saying that the pickups are sometimes installed backwards at the factory? Interesting if true.

Also, doesn't the manual say to not adjust the poles on the pickups? How would new strings (and what brand/gauge)give a better E string volume than the new strings my 4003 came with? Please elaborate... anyone. My bass is currently wonderful. I just want to get it as perfect as possible.