Thread on 4003 truss road adjustment

[clarky]

Hi all, I bought a nice 1986 4003 MG/BT a few months ago. There was always an occasional rattle from the truss rods and I thought I could solve this by switching strings. One set of strings made it even worse and led the neck to bow a bit so I duly bought a Rick truss rod adjustment tool, took off the TRC, and had a tweak. Result awful! Now if anything there is too much tension (I think!) as the action is great near the headstock, just about OK but certainly not low about the 7th and 9th frets and just way too high further up the neck (eg, about 1cm, maybe more, at the 15th fret). The fact there are two truss rods I played with may also mean it is slightly twisted.

So .... is there a thread on here that gives an absolute idiot-proof (:)) guide to truss rod adjustment without needing specialist tools (other than Rick truss rod adjustment tool)?

I am seriously fed up as I really want this to become my main stage bass and its really not a joy to play at the moment.

Thanking you all in advance, Clarky

[beatlefreak]

Mark -

Have you tried searching the forum? I know there's lots of information about truss rod adjustments on a Rick. I use a 24" metal straightedge (ruler) placed on edge, on top of the frets to look for neck underbow/overbow. It's a good visual indication by lloking for light between each of the frets and the straightedge. Check one side of the neck, then the other. Adjust each truss rod only a quarter turn at a time, then give it 24 hours to 'set' the adjustment. Check and repeat if necessary.

As for the rattle, Jingle_jangle has given a procedure for removing the truss rods and taping them so they won't rattle. This can be found by searching the forum also.

[clarky]

Thanks for your help Kris.

I haven't searched the Forum because I tend to find a search brings up two hundred zillion posts, not all of which are relevant , and so I end up spending ages sifting through them, thereby causing undue stress on my marriage and ruining what is left of my married man's sex life! Or is that a bit over-dramatic

I just thought there may be a pinned thread somewhere as its probably a question that many have asked

I will get a ruler!

[jingle_jangle]

I just recommended this thread to another Forumite. It has a couple of posts written by Paul Yan that do an excellent job of describing the bass truss rod adjustment procedure:

http://rickresource.com/forum/viewtopic ... nt#p101554

[johnallg]

Joey's website is also a great resource. http://www.joeysbassnotes.com

The rattle was because a rod (or both) was loose and flapping. It sounds to me like you have the bridge up too high, the rods too tight, and possibly unevenly tightened causing a twist. I'd start out reading the thread Paul referred you to and also Joey's site, then backing the nuts off till there is no pressure, then use a straight edge and get the neck perfectly flat. Then adjust the string height. Read first. I applaud you for wanting to learn this simple procedure and being willing to do it.

[clarky]

Thanks guys - well quite apart from the fact it will save me spending £80/$140 on a luthier I figure it will be a useful trick to know. Cheers again Clarky

[beatlefreak]

Gefinitely you want to learn how to do this yourself. You'll gain a lot better understanding of your bass.

[ram]

Scary at first but after a few adjustment cycles... What Kris said.... It is good to become one with your ax.

[paul_yan]

Bravo, Mark.

Excellent work, Joey!
http://www.joeysbassnotes.com/Joeys%20frameset.htm

I encourage everyone to learn to set up their basses and guitars and save the money. The bonus is that you can really tailor every aspect of the playability and sound to your own liking:

Neck relief-some like it straight, some like it bowed;
String height-low or high;
Pickup height-beefy fat or jangly chime, etc.

The average setup techs will only usually set up your instruments according to standard specs which are fine for another player, but probably not so for you.

Another bonus is that you can spend the money instead on strings and picks.

[teeder]

Another bonus is that you can spend the money instead on strings and picks.

Don't forget "Beer"!

[johnallg]

Another bonus is that you can spend the money instead on strings and picks.

Don't forget "Beer"!

Gotta keep it real!

[clarky]

Worked a treat, thanks all

PS. Have you seen THIS? http://cgi.ebay.com/Rickenbacker-4003-M ... 286.c0.m14

[beatlefreak]

Great, Mark. Glad to hear it went O.K. for you.

[johnallg]

Yup, glad you have it all right now. Yeah, we've seen that bass, there is at least one other thread covering it. I personally believe it will go to someone who will part it out or get it really cheap and rebuild it with new wings and grafted headstock.