Bob, I'm experiencing the high nut syndrome with my 2003 Monty. Can you direct me to a correct "round ******* file"? I believe three of my new Ricks need this file down procedure.
Thanks!
Gettin' some (better) action on my 4003???
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
Ed,
That is the brand name, I think I bought the set at Sears, you get about 6, and only one is round. It's also tapered, so you can do all 4 but it's easy to slip and scratch the fretboard, especially on the G slot. But they play a lot better after, I bring them down probably close to how Jeff described it.
BTW on my 72 FL the nut was cut so that the slots slant to the side a little bit and are oversize so any gauge string will fit and there is no rattling because they sit tight in the slot because the slots are slanted ( a great idea I think), does anyone else have one of these? Paul maybe on your fretless?
That is the brand name, I think I bought the set at Sears, you get about 6, and only one is round. It's also tapered, so you can do all 4 but it's easy to slip and scratch the fretboard, especially on the G slot. But they play a lot better after, I bring them down probably close to how Jeff described it.
BTW on my 72 FL the nut was cut so that the slots slant to the side a little bit and are oversize so any gauge string will fit and there is no rattling because they sit tight in the slot because the slots are slanted ( a great idea I think), does anyone else have one of these? Paul maybe on your fretless?
Bob - my 73 has a nut like that, even massive strings like roto black nylons will fit.
The email address shown is down, you can email me at [email protected]
I agree 100 percent with Jeff. Nut height is often overlooked, but is usually the first thing I go for, ( after checking neck relief ), as far as setup. You have to be carefull, as I've messed up quite a few trying to get things just a little closer. Once you go to far theres no going back. I also think that nut height is a very individual preference. Myself , I like it as low as it will go. If someone wants to make a million bucks, invent a generic adjustable replacement. I'd buy one. .....Acually I'd buy nine.
"Knowledge is Power"
One more thing, try www.stewmac.com they offer every thing you need as far as guitar-bass tools.
"Knowledge is Power"
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docbass
Well, I picked my 4003 up today, took it out of the case and the action was pretty much the same! Even after some nut filing. My sales guy saw the look on my face and jump into customer service mode. He pulled down a new fireglo 4003 and we compared necks and setups. Looked the same to me, felt just a hair better. He told me to take it home for the weekend and try it out! If I liked it, keep it and they'd take my mapleglo back, fair and square.
Man, I am overwhelmed! What a great guy and a super shop. I've played the fireglo for quite a bit tonight, lowered the bridge, the nut looks better than on my other one. Plays good, still a little higher than I like, but better. Gonna try some TI flats on it tomorrow and see how they do. The Ric rounds aren't bad, but I have a thing for flats. I had Pyramids on my other one and their higher tension may be one of the problems, don't know.
I just might keep it if it's easy to play!
Man, I am overwhelmed! What a great guy and a super shop. I've played the fireglo for quite a bit tonight, lowered the bridge, the nut looks better than on my other one. Plays good, still a little higher than I like, but better. Gonna try some TI flats on it tomorrow and see how they do. The Ric rounds aren't bad, but I have a thing for flats. I had Pyramids on my other one and their higher tension may be one of the problems, don't know.
I just might keep it if it's easy to play!
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rickenbrother
- RRF Moderator
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I hope this 4003 lives up your playability expectations. That is very good customer service, letting you swap basses like that. Where is this store ? I haven't seen one new Rick bass, even in a music store that is supposedly a RIC dealer in over 2 years !!!
The RIC bass strings are very good strings, but I refuse to pay full list price for them when I can get comparable strings for less money.
The RIC bass strings are very good strings, but I refuse to pay full list price for them when I can get comparable strings for less money.
JETGLO should officially be renamed JETGLO ROCKS! 
That was super fine customer service, William! I hope you get the best playability, with your choice of either the FG or the MG.
Bob,
Yes the A, D, and G nut slots of my '72 are like what you described---slanted and oversized. In fact, all 4 slots are V instead of U shaped. I don't know if the V shape was done at the factory or done after purchase by the previous owner/luthier. By the way, my '72 nut is white and appears to be original because it's finished on both sides like the neck binding. Is your '72 nut white too?
Bob,
Yes the A, D, and G nut slots of my '72 are like what you described---slanted and oversized. In fact, all 4 slots are V instead of U shaped. I don't know if the V shape was done at the factory or done after purchase by the previous owner/luthier. By the way, my '72 nut is white and appears to be original because it's finished on both sides like the neck binding. Is your '72 nut white too?
Paul i think the V shaped nut slots are original. mine is also like that
The email address shown is down, you can email me at [email protected]
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rickenbrother
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jwr2
Paul and Owen,
I haven't seen my FL for a few months now but I don't think the slots are V shaped on mine (maybe?) and all 4 of mine are very wide and slanted for any size string, I have the big floppy black rotos on mine too, and there is still room to spare in the slots, I think it was a great design, I wonder why they switched to straight slots? Mine is white also and yellowed, I don't know if it is finished like the binding though. I'll let you know next year, haha.
I haven't seen my FL for a few months now but I don't think the slots are V shaped on mine (maybe?) and all 4 of mine are very wide and slanted for any size string, I have the big floppy black rotos on mine too, and there is still room to spare in the slots, I think it was a great design, I wonder why they switched to straight slots? Mine is white also and yellowed, I don't know if it is finished like the binding though. I'll let you know next year, haha.
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docbass
Well, I've been playing the new Ric for several hours now and it does play a little better than my mapleglo after lowering the bridge on both ends. It was high from the factory. The neck is close to flat and I'm gonna flatten itout some more and see if I can lower the bridge even a little more. The action still isn't close to the comfortable level of myother basses, but I think we're getting closer with this one.
As for new Ric, the House of Guitars in Rochester, NY has thousands of guitars, new and vintage, and they have a pretty deep inventory. So, it's a great place to shop. Funky and messy, but great folks IMO.
As for new Ric, the House of Guitars in Rochester, NY has thousands of guitars, new and vintage, and they have a pretty deep inventory. So, it's a great place to shop. Funky and messy, but great folks IMO.
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4003seagreen
- Veteran RRF member
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- Joined: Sat Jul 14, 2001 4:04 pm
The action on my 4003 Sea Green is really, really low. You just barely touch it and it frets. It is really, really easy to play, it's the best RIC I've ever played. My luthier, who did the setup for me, told me the bass was "the bomb" (I hope that was ok to say here) and it was a "never sell" bass. I agree on both counts.