Ric 4003 truss rods jut out into nameplate

nere · Post by **nere** » Fri May 30, 2003 4:29 am

I have '99 Rickenbacker 4003 (Jet Glo) & I noticed that the truss rod cover was not flat - it was bowed out a bit. In looking underneath, I noticed that the truss rod nuts protrude out a bit at an angle preventing the nameplate from being full screwed down flat. The nuts don't seem to be in line with the neck. Is this something anyone else has seen or run into? The relief is very minimal & it plays fine - I've never adjusted the action myself, though I'm not the original owner. If anyone has any info on this I'd appreciate hearing it. Thanks.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Fri May 30, 2003 11:27 am

Hi William, Welcome, I've never seen that with a 4003, are the strings on your bass very high tension? Are the nuts extremely tight? Sometimes when people tighten them they will bend them up for easier access, but I've usually only seen that on 4001's, when the truss rods are adjusted too tightly on some 4001's, they bend down into the wood making it difficult to get a nut driver on them. I know from personal experience. You might want to have someone who knows Rics take a look at that, you don't want to screw up your truss rods.

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Fri May 30, 2003 6:43 pm

The rods were obviously adjusted with something like a socket wrench rather than the correct long handled nut driver.

It's probably not a big deal and won't change any further but if the bulge bothers you (don't go there guys) the rods can be removed fairly easily and straightened. It will probably be necessary to add a couple of washers to those already at the body end of the neck to take up any slack from the rods stretching.

nere · Post by **nere** » Mon Jun 02, 2003 5:19 pm

Thanks very much to you both for your replies.