Have the "E" string on 4003 problem blues

walker · Post by **walker** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 2:58 pm

Never say Die! I'll bet you could super glue a washer to one of the newer hi-gain bobbins with the same result. Yes, the gauntlet has been thrown.

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 3:51 pm

For brighter flats try D'Addario Chromes. You still get a little of the round brightness, but the mellow of flats.

bigbajo60 · Post by **bigbajo60** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 3:59 pm

I heard that if you put a tiny washer on top of your E-string pickup pole piece that will, in essence, bring up the height of that particular pole closer to the E and boost volume that way.

...but that only works on the current design bass horseshoe pickup with the Alnico slugs with the flat tops.

Who discovered this? Or at the very least... who disseminated this info? And has anyone here gone this route with appreciable results?

walker · Post by **walker** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 4:14 pm

I first heard it recommended by fellow Forum member Sergio Silva who did it successfully with the alnico magnet PU. I predict it can be done with any magnet as long as you can engineer a way to get the washer to stick to the top of the pole piece.

westtexasrickenbacker · Thu Aug 24, 2006 5:31 am

Hey Now,

Just keep getting more and more information on my "E" string. Ideas to remedy low volume output.

I think I'm going to just get some new strings and see what happens. I like DRs, maybe I'll go with one of their sets.

Thanks everybody.

blueflamerick · Post by **blueflamerick** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 7:59 am

I had the same problem with my 4003. Changed the strings last night and the problem went away.

I used RIC strings, .045 - .105.

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 11:12 am

Mark:
You're quite right - the "washer method" can be used successfully on any type of polepiece.

westtexasrickenbacker · Fri Aug 25, 2006 4:21 am

Erik, did you have the problem with the strings that were installed on the 4003 from the factory?

Very glad to hear your problem went away.

So you used RIC strings, eh?

Weren't the original strings also from RIC?

blueflamerick · Post by **blueflamerick** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 5:28 am

The original RIC strings were fine when I first got the bass, but the volume of the E string dropped the older and nastier the strings got.

westtexasrickenbacker · Fri Aug 25, 2006 7:27 am

Thanks.

My "E" String has been a bit weaker in volume since the bass arrived.

I raised the neck pup accordingly and I still had a drop-off.

I think I'll try some non-RIC strings.
Good to know your problem alleviated though. Easy fix, you lucky dog.

Hopefully mine will be too! I guess I can also stick a washer on top of the corresponding pole-piece. We'll see. Still love my great bass though. She's a beauty