Low output from E string

[RutleDirk]

I have a '99 4003, which is almost perfect...
The only trouble is that the output from the E string is noticeably lower than the others, using either pickup, or both. If I adjust the pickups so that the output from the E matches that from the G and D, the pickup is visibly at the "wrong" angle, and the A is way too loud. This was happening with the original strings, and with the Pyramids I now have on it. Acoustically, both sets sound fairly well-balanced.

If the poles are not adjustable, how might I compensate for this imbalance?

[lucien_s]

I think all the 4000's are like this. I also have a '99 4003 and it's definitely better in this regard than my 4001 was. Actually, the 4003 is really pretty even, but the E on my 4001 was a lot deader than the other strings (less windings on the older pickups I guess).

Course, you may just be used to Jazz basses where the E is the ONLY string you can hear .

The best fix for this is either a compressor (get a fast one, like the boss bass compressor) or just crank the amp. Both of those techniques will even out the volume of the notes real nice.

LS

[330fg]

I agree with Lucien, I've owned 2 4001s (70s era) and they both were light on E output. Just the nature of the Ric I guess ...

[marcus]

I have had this problem on an old 4001 turned out to be a problem with the string sadle.
I replaced it and the problem was gone.
It was for some reason sucking up a lot of string energy.
I also have a 4003 and this one has no problem what so ever.
The string balance is different on ricks than on fenders though. More of an even sound in general more mids and glassy sound due to the lacker used on the fingerboard. (this also cuts your low end)It is just a different bass sound filosofie all together.
Try switching the sadles to see if this improves or solves your problem.
Also the original string sets of rickenbacker have the following gauge 45-55-75-105
which allready compansates for the E string as a normal set would be 45-65-85-105 see.

So experiment and see what works best,

Good Luck,

Marcus

[Bassman_4080]

Marcus- I had the same problem and had the same thing done- replaced the saddle- with MUCH improvement. I've also read that4001/3's with a Badass bridge replacement don't seem to have that problem either, which makes me believe that it IS something with the saddle/bridge assembly.

Just my 2 cents...

[heinpete]

Another good proof is the acoustic(unplugged) sound. If here the E-string is also considerably lighter sounding then work on the bridge. Otherwise look for the stringposition on the polepieces of the PUs. Some Ricks have a bad adjustment there and need some better. For the saddle (the individual one on the brigde not the nut on the neck) I had this problem only in the lowest possible position of the bridge, as the E and G saddle base sticks out of the bridge(saddle chasis). If you look from the side you can easily see where you have to cut a bit off tha saddle base. After having done that the problem with my Rick was gone.