Stripped and Ready for Action!

[cornishmusic]

I've just switched bands, from an instrumental prog/rock trio to a full on blues rock trio in the style of Rory Gallagher / Hendrix. Three nights of gigs in a row,and I'm playing a lot harder (and working up some real perspiration!) the 4003 is giving me problems - the hand rest is always where the sweetest tone is for my pick (no debates on finger playing here please !!) - the mute screws are in the way, and the bridge adjustment screws stick up so high they have eaten holes in the palm of my hand.

So the plan was to get rid of them all - mute screws, bridge adjusters and hand rest - have to say the bass looks a little empty but plays and sounds as magnificently as ever. Hate to say it but nothing sounds like a Rick, but nothing is as physically demanding and unforgiving to play sometimes!

Is it my imagination or does the bass sound different with the hand rest off? - I read somewhere that it was designed to help sustain? - or am I just hallucinating?

Do these problems occur for anybody else?

[s4001]

Hand rest doesn't change anything, but your pickup height may be different.
When I play pick style, I actually rest my palm on the mute screw.

[jps]

So the plan was to get rid of them all - ....., bridge adjusters and ......

Isn't your action different now with no way to adjust the height of your bridge?

[cornishmusic]

The adjusters were at the max anyway - so no difference in terms of action (just as well eh?)

[bassduke49]

You might want to consider installing the Hipshot bridge/tailpiece. It's not for everyone, but it might make your bass more comfortable. Here's mine, along with the Pickguardian treble pickup surround on my '04 Montezuma Brown 4003. Note: there is no mute, mute housing ("teeth"), or screws, and no pointy bridge-level Allen screws to get in the way.

[cornishmusic]

Looks good Paul - lots of food for thought...

thanks for your help - great looking bass!

[wints]

Time to get the Fender out...

[kcole4001]

Or, you could replace the bridge height screws with small socket head screws. Much easier on the hands!

[gearhed289]

Hand rest off, Hipshot bridge on. You will be very happy.

[incubus2432]

All of the issues you mentioned (and a few more) are the reasons why I abandoned the 4001/4003 series in favor of 4004s. So you aren't alone with your issues.

[jwr2]

Quote: "So the plan was to get rid of them all - mute screws, bridge adjusters and hand rest - have to say the bass looks a little empty but plays and sounds as magnificently as ever. Hate to say it but nothing sounds like a Rick, but nothing is as physically demanding and unforgiving to play sometimes!

Is it my imagination or does the bass sound different with the hand rest off? - I read somewhere that it was designed to help sustain? - or am I just hallucinating?"

When you removed the cover you had to re-adjust the treble pickup height ... the height of the pickup and the height of the action on the fretboard has a big impact on the sound ...

Also I like to remove the mute and the mute superstructure so I can palm mute ...

The reasons for the pickup cover are ... 1 to make it look like the horseshoe pickup, 2 to partially shield the pickup for 60 cycle hum ... it will have no impact on sustain ... if your sustain has decreased then check to see if the bridge is seated correctly and try new strings ...

the hipshot bridge will increase sustain ... raising the pickup will give the Ric more growl ... remember keep it low enough so the strings don't hit the pole pieces ...

And the 4004 is also an excellent option

[cornishmusic]

Thanks Jeff - that's really useful.

Excuse my ignorance - what's 60 cycle hum?.

Is a hipshot set up expensive? - (I'm in the UK)

[thx1955]

Tim,
In the UK it'd be 50 cycle hum, it's the low hum you sometimes get out of electronic gear, or if you've a dodgy earth connection.