4003s's

Lefty4003S8 · Post by **Lefty4003S8** » Sun May 24, 2015 12:01 am

I know VERY well the problem(s) some Ric basses suffer due to a weak neck joint.

Although I've never done the pickup space conversion mentioned here, my 8-string suffers from a litany of problems.
Why??? Because of the excessive (factory) rout for the neck pickup. The pickup is at the regular space, but, with the added tension caused by extra strings, the neck angle is off, AND the body wings have separated.

I'm NOT posting this to discourage you from your project. I am adding my voice to the others who are only expressing some concern.

I wish you good luck and hope you will keep us posted on your progress!!!!!

ilan · Post by **ilan** » Sun May 24, 2015 5:47 am

How do those 4004's not fold up in half?!

jps · Post by **jps** » Sun May 24, 2015 6:37 am

The neck route is shallower and much tighter against the circumference of the pickup. Also, I prefer lower tension strings so the TI Jazz Flats on the Snowglo certain helps mitigate any potential issues.

lordblackmore · Post by **lordblackmore** » Sun May 24, 2015 1:17 pm

I've decided to not have the work done. I respect the expertise and experience of people here and don't think it's worth potential risk of future issues. And aside from the technical reasons against it, voiding the warranty with a major modification is not a good idea.

I'm going to use the money I was putting aside for this work to buy a classic amplification bridge pickup and get some mods done on one of my other, non-rick basses.

NFB-418 · Post by **NFB-418** » Sun May 24, 2015 1:27 pm

Picked up a 4003S MG from a local dealer. The bass was fresh out of the box. The build quality is excellent and the neck is really beefy, which I like! The body contours make it a pleasure to play and I'm digging the dot inlays on the fretboard. I love the simplicity of the S model.

wints · Post by **wints** » Sun May 24, 2015 8:07 pm

Kopfjaeger wrote: Mark has one of mine in-route to his shop for this exact reason. Remember that late 1984 v63 that a forum member was selling here. The Mapleglo with the magnetized shoes and special made pan head slotted pole piece pup made just for the handful of v63's that got real horseshoe magnets?? Well, I purchased it and when it arrived, something was not right. A prior owner ground the **** out of the bridge in order for it to sink lower into the tailpiece to cover for a negative neck angle. The instrument is in super pristine condition, except for the negative neck angle. No separation of the neck joint at the body wings and no finish cracking either.

I'm hoping "Dr Arnquist" can save this rare beast. For this type of repair, I trust Arnquist's knowledge and experience.

Sepp

That's a shame about that bass Sepp. Still, hopefully MA can get back to full function. It's a great looking, rare V.

And don't feel too bad about that bridge rout...They were doing it in the 70's to nice "old" RM1999 basses then!

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Mon May 25, 2015 2:58 am

You should really have that fixed Andrew.

Gilmourisgod · Post by **Gilmourisgod** » Mon May 25, 2015 8:08 am

What's the advantage of 1/2" spacing for the neck pup? I know it only matters on open strings, but isn't the theoretical 24th fret "node" approximately at the 1" spacing line? Is the difference in sound worth the loss of solid wood right at the fingerboard end?

jps · Post by **jps** » Mon May 25, 2015 10:11 am

Gilmourisgod wrote:...isn't the theoretical 24th fret "node" approximately at the 1" spacing line?

Yes, and that is exactly why I don't like pickups under that point. I do a fair amount of open harmonics in my playing and having a pickup centered under there kills the harmonics around the 3rd to 7th fret positions, especially so, at the 5th position. As you mentioned, this only affects some folks, I happen to be one of them. This would have been devastating to Jaco Pastorius

.

squirebass · Post by **squirebass** » Mon May 25, 2015 10:25 am

Gilmourisgod wrote:What's the advantage of 1/2" spacing for the neck pup? I know it only matters on open strings, but isn't the theoretical 24th fret "node" approximately at the 1" spacing line? Is the difference in sound worth the loss of solid wood right at the fingerboard end?

No one has ever accused me of being Jaco Pastorius but I have been referred to as the Justin Bieber of modern bass playing...

I can see how jps would miss those harmonics, he posted some fine vids of his band on here recently...with some really tasty bass!

As far as I can tell, its only the harmonics, and I make so much more use of the bridge pickup that it isn't worth it for me. Others may see it differently, but for me, if I make any changes to my 4003s, it will be a horsey and a toaster in the 1" spacing position - no routing. But I'm going to have that bird in hand and see how she performs before I do anything to her! Hopefully I won't have to wait much longer!

wints · Post by **wints** » Mon May 25, 2015 11:27 am

aceonbass wrote:You should really have that fixed Andrew.

It is finally being addressed at this time Dane!

The Justin Bieber of bass...That's a funny one Gene!

squirebass · Post by **squirebass** » Thu May 28, 2015 12:37 pm

wints wrote:
aceonbass wrote:You should really have that fixed Andrew.

It is finally being addressed at this time Dane!

The Justin Bieber of bass...That's a funny one Gene!

Well, I try to stay hip and "with it" among the younger set, that is, as I'm yelling at them to get the hell off my lawn!

Young whippersnappers!

jps · Post by **jps** » Thu May 28, 2015 2:23 pm

squirebass wrote:Well, I try to stay hip and "with it" among the younger set, that is, as I'm yelling at them to get the hell off my lawn!

Young whippersnappers!

If you are a member of TalkBass you should join the Grumpy Old Farts Club!

squirebass · Post by **squirebass** » Thu May 28, 2015 4:24 pm

jps wrote:
squirebass wrote:Well, I try to stay hip and "with it" among the younger set, that is, as I'm yelling at them to get the hell off my lawn!

Young whippersnappers!
If you are a member of TalkBass you should join the Grumpy Old Farts Club!

I've been out to Talk Bass recently, but I wouldn't count myself as a member there. There are some very negative posters on there with regard to Rickenbackers, one dude who claims to own 28 Ricks, yet badmouths them non-stop.... Most of the badmouthing is about the Halls and RIC customer support....
It was positively depressing visiting there...

Kopfjaeger · Post by **Kopfjaeger** » Thu May 28, 2015 4:48 pm

wints wrote:That's a shame about that bass Sepp. Still, hopefully MA can get back to full function. It's a great looking, rare V.

And don't feel too bad about that bridge rout...They were doing it in the 70's to nice "old" RM1999 basses then!

Andy,

Holy Mother of God!!! That is an RM 1999??? I think I'm going to be sick!!!

I heard from from "doctor Arnquist" last night, v63 arrived yesterday and he says can fix it!!

Best news I heard all day!!

Sepp

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