Fixing a slight neck twist in a 4004 Ci?

edski · Post by **edski** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 4:42 am

I have a lead on what looks like a decent looking 4004 Ci. There is a neck twist...

From the description I think the guy doesn't know what to do, and it seems that the neck/headstock junction is fine. It looks like a simple truss adjustment?

Would like opinions. I think I'm pulling the trigger on this...which would likely make me part with my 75 4001...

Thanks!

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 5:01 am

Twists like that are not always problematic. Many instruments with twists live normal and productive lives. The slope of the nut seems to be amplifying the illusion so it may not be as bad as all that. It is entirely possible that the twist is caused by a broken or non-working rod and that only one rod (the G side) is carrying the neck load. That is just a guess. I don't like to diagnose problems without being able to put my hands on the instrument but this one is likely to be fixable.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 5:53 am

Like Ted said, the slope of the nut makes it look like the neck has a twist or can make the twist look worse than it actually is. Judge by how parallel the frets are to each other as you look down from the top of the fingerboard.

edski · Post by **edski** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 6:13 am

Thanks for the replies...I seem to not have been quick enough.

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 6:22 am

Now...what about that 75 4001?

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 6:48 am

When I get a different Rick bass, one of the first things I do is remove the old strings, relax both rods, then tighten them gradually but evenly when I install the new strings.

That way if a neck issue develops, at least I have a good reference point to start with. Sometimes I'll even write down the individual adjustments I've made.

Although I've never really had many neck problems with my Ricks. The 2 rod concept is definatley the way to go.

edski · Post by **edski** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 8:04 am

Now...what about that 75 4001?

It's just that I don't play the thing anymore (since I got my Laredo) and it's not like me to hoard such a nice instrument. It should be played.

There's still A LOT of life left on that 4001, but I use my fretless J as a back up...and basically play ALL the time with my Laredo.

And I like the 4004 better. I have a Dakota, and LOVE the Ci finish, and if that were my "other" Rick bass it'd be my backup, and I'd actually play it. The fretless would stay at home as a practice/specialty instrument, and I'd probably play a slightly worn Ci more than my very nice condition FG 4004L...I might keep the 2004 FG at home to keep it pristine (or nearly so

)

But right now I feel like the 4001 is
1) not being used right
2) it might not be the right bass for me anymore...

I've been confused about this 4001 now for a while, and the confusion doesn't seem to go away. If I get a chance at th 4004 Ci again I might take it and THEN sell the 4001. When I told my wife that I've probably missed getting the Ci this was the exchange:

Me: "I shoulda pm'd the guy last night!"

Her: "Probably a reason why you didn't"

Yeah, the reason is probably hesitated is my confusion over how I feel about this 4001...

jmh · Post by **jmh** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 8:57 am

Confusion will be my epitaph.

scottpro1969 · Post by **scottpro1969** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 5:07 am

Ed, I saw that one too. $575 is a steal for that, which is what I think he wants. I'd pull the trigger quick. Wish I had the extra $$.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 5:44 am

That is a great price for that bass even if the twist is real. It is perfectly repairable.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 6:00 am

it looks more like a slanted nut than a twisted neck ... ric nuts are usually cut high ... one way to fix it is toe cut the grooves deeper ... another way it to sand the bottom of the nut like the one pictured ... or a little of both ...

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 8:26 am

Ed, I saw that one too. $575 is a steal for that, which is what I think he wants. I'd pull the trigger quick. Wish I had the extra $$.

If I found that bass at that price, I wouldn't hesitate for a second to get it.

edski · Post by **edski** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 9:00 am

Well, I hesitated for about 12 hours and lost it.

Thing that gets me is the guy he sold it to was making him wait for 3 days while they buyers eBay auction closed...I told the dude I'd have paid for it now and worried about my own auction afterwards...

Oh well, Brian Crisman told me privately that he's had dealings with this guy and he was sort of a flake...might be a good thing that I missed out on it.

I am real close, *really, really close*, to offering my 75 4001 up for a trade for a 4004 Ci...I think it's reasonable trade as far as equity of the instruments, and I think the 4001 is better off with someone who wants it.

I feel guilty giving up on it, after all these years...

***********

Edit - Brian just told me that this seller was NOT the same guy that flaked on him.

Sorry!

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 4:01 pm

Ed, the 4004Ci is a really great bass. Mine had a slight twist like that in the neck when I got it and it took two sessions with a truss rod wrench to get it straight. Both were small adjustments, but the neck did straighten out. It wasn't quite as much as that pic showed, but the others also pointed out correctly that a lot of it was the angle of the nut on top and also the camera angle. You really need to hold it so you compare where the nut meets the headstock wood to the top flat of the body, then it wouldn't have looked as bad. My advice is next opportunity you have to get one (jeez, that was a fantastic price!) is to grab it and if it isn't your cup of tea you can always find a buyer here on the forum easily. I really like the tone of the bass, and also the body contours for the plucking arm. Oh, great neck profile too. F W I W

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 4:56 pm

my 4004ci 4-2-5 is a really nice bass ... it is so nice that I don't like to take it out of the house ... it has a nice warm mid growl to it ...