my 4003s set up

[Droog61]

I have a JetGlo 4003s (1996) I am not sure if its the humidity where I am currently, but the neck seems to lose its set up really fast.
It's getting a little pricey springing for a set up every 2-3 months.

My 4001v63 and my 4001cs are rock solid ( I use rotosound swingbass 66 on all of them), so I am begging to think that there could be an issue with the rods perhaps ?

If it is a regional humidity thing (Canadian east coast), I may be placing this one up for sale since I don't want to kept forking out cash for a set up.

South jersey guitar repair took a look at it a while back and said the rods looked good? SO i guess I am asking if

1.Can humidity can do this this frequently (wet rainy this year)
2. Does it sound like a potential warped neck?

Cheers,

[johnallg]

Are the rods at the headstock the same size showing at the truss nuts?

1. Yes
2. Not if it sets up correctly. A warped neck will not straighten or stay right and even have buzz on certain frets. If yours is right after a setup, it is just more sensitive to the changes. I have one Rick like this.

Setting up a bass is not hard at all, you should learn to do it. Joey's Bassnotes site has videos on a 4001, but the concepts carry over to a 4003. The 4003 is easier because you just tweak the truss nuts until the neck is where you want it, preferably flat. With the changes you describe, you would only need to tweak the nut(s) a quarter turn or so.

[ram]

What John says! Go to Joey's web site and read, then watch the videos... any questions just ask! It is really pretty easy and allows you to become more intimate with you instrument!

[jps]

...allows you to become more intimate with you instrument!

Careful there, son.

[jps]

Setting up a bass is not hard at all...

+2

[coolingitdown]

I will agree that it's not hard...once you'be invested some time to get the hang of it. It can be very intimidating when you've never done it before.

Take your time, and remember that joey's bass notes is the Rick setup bible.

P.s.: neck adjustments are not nearly as terrifying as they are made out to be. Give it a shot!

[weemac]

Nah... Your 4003s is no good and you should send it to me for a proper burial.....

Eden.

[antonius]

Andrew,
You will be amazed at how straightforward it is to do your own setups once you've had a good read about what is involved. I didn't have a clue until I joined this forum and the one at the Rickenbacker corporate site. Now I would be reluctant to let someone else set up my bass because I kind of know what I'm looking for now and can make tiny adjustments here and there when I feel the need. You really learn a lot about your instrument once you do your own setups and get a sense of what you can do yourself and what needs expert professional attention when problems arise. There is so much good advice available here if you do some searches - and have a look at Joey's excellent website too - and ask...

[T.A.R.]

Setting up a bass is not hard at all...

+2

+3

[Droog61]

I guess I need to man up on this one and give it a go

[Kopfjaeger]

I've learned so much in my short time as a member of this forum! I had never imagined doing any set up work on my Rick's but after viewing Joey's video's and reading his site, I feel more confidant and I have tweaked pick up height, bridge height, and set intonation. There is still quite a bit of apprehension in messing with truss rods and thankfully I have not had to do that yet but I do feel a bit more confidant after studying the video's a few times. No doubt the "pucker factor" will at 9 when I turn my first truss rod nut but I have to remind myself that there are a ton of very helpful members to assist if screw something up.

Sepp

[aceonbass]

Flattening out the neck is the easy part. The strings will probably be fairly high off the board which makes any notes on the first frets sharp. Filing the nut slots with properly gauged nut files will alleviate this problem, make the bass play much better, and intonate mre accurately.