Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Paul,
I'll check when I get home. I think I still have a couple of saddles (uncut) that I can let go of. I just have to look to be sure.
Randy.

Cool!!!
Much much appreciated, Randy.
Please take your time.
I can wait.

Hey Bob,
My baby actually sounds better acoustically with this new setup. The greater strings-to-bodytop distance (action remains the same) makes for a bigger "nut-saddletop-bodytop" triangle, hence better acoustic sound. How come I didn't try this before stupidly resorting to filing the saddles? Idiot me, haha!

Mr. Hall,
I suggest adding the phrase "A 4003 intonates best with the neck dead straight, unlike other brands." to the owner's manual, so less people would commit the ignorant crime like I did.

I've learned a great deal and updated some of my setup concepts today. Feeling good!
Thanks to all who have tried to help.

Paul, I'm glad you solved your problem. But please don't be hard on yourself, it's not an ignorant crime, it's just part of the learning process. I only wish the information now available on internet forums had been accessible 40 years ago!

Actually all necks intonate best at zero relief, it's just that a little is usually necessary when the string height is set low, otherwise the arc of the vibrating strings may not have enough room.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts, Dave.
Praise the Internet!

I too noticed the taller saddles presently supplied by RIC when I was modifying and setting up the bridges on my 3000/3001 basses. I went to the hardware store and purchased nylon washers to fill the gap between the saddle and the bridge. Now they fit snuggly and slide a little easier when adjusting intonation. By the way, I used to set the intonation by matching the open string pitch to the 12th fret harmonic. My guitar tech set me straight and now I compare the open string pitch with the fretted 12th fret pitch. It seems that when you pull the string down to the fret, the pitch goes slightly sharp of the harmonic. On some of my basses it was neccesary to move the bridges slightly to get it centered with the neck and allow for proper intonation. Ideally, the string should be centered on the saddle and pass direcly over the corresponding pole pieces on the pickups and remain parrallel to the edge of the neck.

Be good, Annie...

Dane,
When I set the intonation I compare the 12th fret harmonic to the 12th fret pitch, this way they are the same note as opposed to octaves. I will give your tech's method a try so I can compare the two. Have you noticed that even once the string is intonated that other fretted notes on that string aren't quite in tune? I have and have wondered if different brand and gauge strings intonate up and down the fingerboard differently.

According to laws of physics, a guitar or bass can't be 100% in tune with all notes. Once properly intonated at the 12th fret, a shift of +/- 2 cents on the other frets is to be expected.
I once heard a theory that a guitar/bass totally in tune with itself doesn't sound good and have personality. Don't know if it's true 'cause I haven't played one and had the experience yet.

Sergio,
I believe I'll make Annie healthy and good looking again soon once I find the 2 proper pre-2000 saddles for her.

Although I haven't really noticed other notes out of tune, it is true that the fretboard on any stringed instrument is only a compromise. I once read an article in Guitar Player several years ago about a guy building acoustic guitars with the frets exactly where they should be for each string and each note. Some of the frets went all the way accross all six strings but most only were the same for a few here and there. The reviewer played the guitar and comented on how much truer it sounded once he got used to playing it. On a conventional bass, you'll only get the open and one other fretted note right on. everything in between and after the highest note will be off a little more as you go. I tend to think that, in theory therefore, if you were in say, a country band and didn't go above the 5th fret, you could set your intonation at that fret and the frets in between would be a little bit closer to pitch. Then again, we may be over thinking this issue......
By the way, Paul..try my suggestion with the nylon washers. All of mine have them and it's just fine.

Yes Dan, the nylon washers are a very good idea. I'll try them if my searching attempt fails.
Thanks for your suggestion.

Sorry Dane, I mistyped your name.
Won't happen again.

(Ha! Gotta work out my left ring finger...)

I want to publicly thank Randy Hawkins for sending me 4 of his used pre-2000 saddles of which 2 work out fine with my Annie's E and A strings after a little relocating/filing. With her neck almost dead straight and all saddles facing the same direction, she plays fine and has perfect intonation now.

THANK YOU, RANDY!
A thanking gift is on its way to you.

Glad I could help, Paul.
Thanks to this site, we not only learn from each other, but we can help each other to keep our prized possessions in working order.
Is this a great place to hang out,er what?

Absolutely!