Need suggestions for modding Cii/5

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:53 am

my 1998 4004ci is the lightest Ric that I own ...

pma · Post by **pma** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:32 am

Dane, not absolutely necessary to replace the bridge but Greg Shadoan told me that by replacing the nut on his Cii/5, the action was significantly improved. I am likely spoiled by what Jeff did on the 4-2-5's he did for me so I am trying to get much better action.

I'm also just after better overall performance so was thinking of all potential changes while the bass is in the shop.

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 10:11 am

If you want better action, get a set of nut files and slot the nut a bit deeper, or have someone else do it. Spacing the strings closer together like a 4003S/5, if that's what you're referring to, will still leave you with a lot of extra fingerboard to get around.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 11:23 am

Joey, that's what I was thinking. Get my FG tuning peg moved, binding, etc, and then turn the Monte into a 5fl!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well maybe!!!!!!!

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 11:58 am

Except everything is different about a 4004, especially the pickups. This is where I think a 4004FL would excel as a fretless instrument.

gshadoan · Post by **gshadoan** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 4:16 pm

It may be that the way to go is to have more than one nut made. Naybe a brass one, maybe a modified bone one, and the original. That would give you some options. That is, while you have it in the shop. As to the pickup routuing, I would gather as much info on as many pickups as possible, and come to the most used dimension so as to give you the most possible versitility. That way when you route,( a non reversable mod) you have choices, and are not locked into one paticular pickup, that you may or may not like. If you intend on haveing them custom made, I would be sure that they fall into that criteria. Another idea, is to only do one. Leave the factory in one position, and a new one. I often only use one anyway. Just some ideas for you..

Greg

pma · Post by **pma** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 8:16 am

Greg, thanks for the suggestions on the nut and pickups. As far as the pickup, Sergio gave me the dimensions of what he will make and it is very close to the factory size. Only difference is the length at 3 1/8" vs. 2 7/8". This would seem to account for the coverage issue on the factory pickup. Based on this, it seems that very little wood will need to be routed.