i need some real help :(

[Droog61]

I purchased a black Rickenbacker 4003s (1996) off of e-bay about 12 months ago. It came with a chrome (Hipshot bridge)
The neck action seemed high when it arrived. I took to a music store in Phladelphia and the 'tech' there said he couldn't do anything with the truss rods. This young tech scarred me since I also brought in a toaster pick up for him to install which he failed to do, couldn't figure out the wiring so i took it to a South Jersey guitar luthier/repair shop and he fixed the aciton and installed my toaster without a hitch.

I moved to Canada a few months later and once again the bow returned and action was high again, I took it to the local guitar tech/guru and he set it up lower the action, dressed the frets etc....a few months later the action is once again high

However... my neck seems to get a wicked bow in it and my action gets high. Could this be my truss rods?

Could the truss rods need replacing? can this issue be fixed? can anyone out there fix this? I can part with it for a bit since I have a 4001v63 as my main... and I can pay
I am really at a lose here, tried emailing Dale Fortune a few times but never heard back :S

I use Rotosound swing bass 105 gauge, temperature is more extreme ( colder )

Also if anyone out there can not only fix this but refinish that would be a major bonus, it has a slight ding in the headstock and a small chip in the gloss.

PS: i'd like to replace the hipshot with a rick tailpiece bridge also, any advice on that is welcome

any suggestions would be appreciated.

Cheers

[atomic_punk]

Andrew,
It's always really hard (and irresponsible) for anyone to suggest a course of action for your instrument without having seen the problems first hand, especially when dealing with neck issues.
However, we do have lots of members on the Forum from Canada, and they might be able to suggest someone to look at it who can help.
Hang in there!

[VRICKY63]

Keep the Hipshot...................................Really , keep the Hipshot installed.

[Droog61]

Keep the Hipshot...................................Really , keep the Hipshot installed.

after reading some other posts may just keep it

[Droog61]

Andrew,
It's always really hard (and irresponsible) for anyone to suggest a course of action for your instrument without having seen the problems first hand, especially when dealing with neck issues.
However, we do have lots of members on the Forum from Canada, and they might be able to suggest someone to look at it who can help.
Hang in there!

Thanks Steve,

I can ship it anywhere doesn't need to be Canada, however that would be great if there was someone up here.

cheers

[johnallg]

Andrew, do you have a picture of the truss nuts under the TRC (Truss Rod Cover)? Is there a lot of threaded rod showing through the nuts?

[rickfan60]

Exactly what John said. Pictures of the adjusters and the anchors would be helpful. If you take your pickguard off and snap a picture or two of the body ends of the rods, we might be able to get some idea of what is going on.

[marc61]

Hey Andrew, When you're in Philly, your very close to a great store that specializes in Rics.

Pick of the Ricks in Lindenwold, NJ.

[Droog61]

Hey Andrew, When you're in Philly, your very close to a great store that specializes in Rics.

Pick of the Ricks in Lindenwold, NJ.

Do they do repairs? approx. how far is it from Philly? when I travel there I don't have a car

I am off on a Business trip for the next 2-3 weeks, will have to get some pics up when I get back,

Thanks everyone for the help!

Cheers,
Andrew