set up

[ricnbacker]

How about the clanking sounds? any of you guys get that?

[aceonbass]

The clanking sound is pretty common, especially with low action, and round wound strings combined with a heavy touch. If it doesn't come through the speakers, I wouldn't worry about it. The thing I don't like about high gains is that the strings can sometimes make contact with the poles, especially during heavy handed playing with your fingers. That's why I replace the poles with Allen screws and put a toaster cover on.

[johnallg]

If you are going to pop off the nut, take a razor and cut the ends through the CV finish so you don't take a chip out.

[4003]

How about the clanking sounds? any of you guys get that?

Yes, I've gotten it. Sometimes when I really dig with my fingers, my E or A string can hit the bridge pickup surround causing a clank. This only happens on the non-cut surrounds. Someday, I will get a replacement and fix it on the '86.

Non-cut (Clank Potential)

Cut (No Clank Potential)

[FretlessOnly]

Hey Bob: I'm not sure I'm seeing the difference in those two shots for clank and non-clank potential. I dig very deep, being a former upright player.

I first owned a Rick 4001 in 1980. Loved it, except for the clack. I call it "clack" because it was the string on the fretboard and not the pickup poles or pickup cover. My current Ricks have the same issue (one fretless and one fretted); and it does come through my rig to an extent.

[4003]

On the '86 (first photo) the edge on the surround is straight across from side to side. On the 2nd photo, the middle section under the strings is cut into a "dip."

Maybe these will be better.

Straight Across

Dip

[FretlessOnly]

I see it now, thanks. Thing is, I don't think that's where I get clack. I play with the treble pickup cover on, between the neck pickup and the cover, using my fingers (and my action is pretty high). Best I can tell, my clack comes from the end of the fingerboard.

[johnallg]

Do you have a loose truss rod?

[ricnbacker]

If you are going to pop off the nut, take a razor and cut the ends through the CV finish so you don't take a chip out.

Of course but thanks so much for mentioning it.

[ricnbacker]

Do you have a loose truss rod?

No.

But when I first got it I did. my initial set up took care of that.

Totally different sound though.

[ricnbacker]

Dane, Bob

Thanks for confirming that you get the Clack ( better choice of word) sound and that it is common.

Bob, I thought it would be more the strings hitting the fretboard as well as I like my action very low. But probably both places are realistic areas where it can happen.

The Clack never comes through my amp, and thats why I never really thought cared enough to change the string height.
Now I can lower the bridge back down


John, my pickup cover is on too and I play in the same spot with fingers

Thank you all for your input, it is greatly appreciated

[FretlessOnly]

Do you have a loose truss rod?

No. That would be buzz or rattle, not clack, now wouldn't it?

What I have is mechanical clack of the A and E strings on the end of the fingerboard. Very annoying. I've raised my action a fair bit, and it has decreased, but it's not gone altogether.

[antonius]

On my '75 4001 I too get a bit of that 'clack' sound of the strings hitting the fretboard when I play with my fingers. Mainly E and A strings. If I play very gently I don't get it but it's there if I play with even moderate intensity. I do have a low action though and it has increased since starting to use DR HI-Beam strings so I believe string tension might also be a factor. These are low tension strings. If I wanted to eradicate it I could raise the strings but I guess I can live with it.

[Lost Coyotes]

On my '75 4001 I too get a bit of that 'clack' sound of the strings hitting the fretboard when I play with my fingers. Mainly E and A strings. If I play very gently I don't get it but it's there if I play with even moderate intensity. I do have a low action though and it has increased since starting to use DR HI-Beam strings so I believe string tension might also be a factor. These are low tension strings. If I wanted to eradicate it I could raise the strings but I guess I can live with it.

Yep...exactly.

First, the neck on a 4001 / 4003 needs to be as straight as possible...that does help playability no matter how you play, and rolling off the treble (or ??? the frequency that accentuates the clacking) on the amp helps a little, but if you play hard with fingers, the only real answer is raise the action.

[ricnbacker]

Still didnt get a chance to take a close up picture of the G string being close to the edge. I will get to that.
I Raised the strings slightly and it did lessen the clack but not much. The only way I can get rid of it completely so far is to play with a pick.

I have been finger playing for 30 years. A pick is a hard thing to get used to.

anyway...What I have noticed is the Clack might be coming from a fret or 2 after the fretted fret. It is not hitting anywhere else.

I also noticed the A & Dstring P/U poles are higher than the E&G. These are not adjustable so I guess I will get used to the E & G being just a little lower in volume.

The only solution I see to the Clack problem, as it is coming through the amp at times, is to tighten the truss rods a little and give the neck a little bow

What think ye?