Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Stewart Macdonald for nut files .

So, Ben, do you still think the neck is too thick? I measured mine, the 80 4001 and my NEW 2005 4003 are both the same as yours. I think the big poll on neck size kindof showed that they weren't all that different, correct me if I am wrong on that!

I wonder what y'all think about this - perhaps it's OK for an instrument to buzz a little bit when listened to acoustically, and this won't necessarily be a problem whan amplified?

When I had my 4001 set up by an experienced luthier (son of a Rick expert in fact), he implied as much - when I was checking in the store I turned the volume off and was listening to it acoustically, and he said I should expect some fret buzz that way, but it wouldn't matter when playing amplified. I've never heard that before or since, so he may have been BSing me. He did a great job on the bass though!

Stew Mac has good nut files in a variety of sizes. I'd get them in the same or slightly larger sizes than the string sizes that you like to use. File parallel to the headstock slowly and carefully and check your progress often! While you're at it, they have a handy string action gauge thats around 3 bucks. Good Luck.

Harry- With roundround strings I'd say its pretty rare to eliminate all acoustic fretbuzz. Sometimes the fretbuzz you hear is coming from in between your fretted finger and the nut.

Thanks for the info everyone. How much bigger for the files? .005 larger at the most or not that much larger? StewMac has a .105 and the next size is a .130. Strings are 105-75-55-45

I use the .040, .060, .080, and the .100 files and have not had a problem with string fit. The files may be slightly larger than the stated size.