Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

VRICKY63 wrote:I bet a nice two ton brass Hipshot tailpiece would fix it. The Hipshot aluminum tails cured dead spots on 2 of my basses.

Very interesting, i'm strongly considering this to improve the E string sounding of my 4001. My situation is similar to Paolo's. The E string is lacking some of the mid/high harmonics that make the string "growl", while the other three strings sound great !!

+1 on the Dean Markley Blue Steels. Excellent strings, and reasonably priced to boot!

Thanks to all for your words of encouragement & advice.You're a great bunch of guys & gals.
I've lowered the pickup a tad,lowered the poles a tad also & it seems to be much better now.However,that's just on my small home practice amp.The proof of the pudding will be at rehearsals next week
I'm also toying with the idea of changing strings again (although the DR's are brand new & are rather expensive) to 45 65 85 105.I've thought about Dean Markleys blue steels before.I've read good things about them.Anybody know what the tension on these are like,as i do a lot of note bending ala Lemmy...Talking of Lemmy,anyone know what type of strings he used in the early Motorhead days?
Again,thanks to all & fingers crossed

Another thing to check is if the string has a twist length-wise. If it was strung with a twist it will not vibrate correctly. Loosen it up and try rotating the ball end to ensure it lays straight with no twist from nut to bridge. Easy check and may pay off.

I'd like to hear what one of these E strings sound like compared to the others. Has anyone posted a youtube or mp3 highlighting this problem?

I love the sound of Roto's but since I've had my rick I've gone through a couple of sets and the E string has been wierd sounding (both fretted and open) on each of them. I just recently put on a set of high beams and the diferance is incredible. I definetely agree on the twisted string thing as well. That will cause the string to have a wierd chorusy type sound IME. Oh, and make sure you give it a little extra bend as it travels over the bridge saddle.

Another thing to check is if the string has a twist length-wise. If it was strung with a twist it will not vibrate correctly. Loosen it up and try rotating the ball end to ensure it lays straight with no twist from nut to bridge. Easy check and may pay off.
(johnallg)
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John speaks the truth!

This is something I discovered later in my bass life. Make sure those strings arent twisted!

I would first try truss rod adjustment...looking at the old posts and put simply you just have one rod tighter than the other.
Another thing to check is the slot in the nut.
If its not deep enough it gives the string a sort of dead sound rather than a ringing tone.
While at it check the slots on the saddles.
I had a dead spot on an A string and it was cured by filing the saddle slot to get a better hold of the string.

I always use Rotosounds.

seyesbass wrote:Another thing to check is the slot in the nut.
If its not deep enough it gives the string a sort of dead sound rather than a ringing tone.
While at it check the slots on the saddles.
I had a dead spot on an A string and it was cured by filing the saddle slot to get a better hold of the string.

Very interesting, i'll try the saddle thing before trying a new bridge.

Am i wrong or the nut slot thing has to do only with open strings resonance ?

Yes,but I also think its like having a high action from the bridge end and maybe that higher angle at the nut kills off some sustain.
With my V63 and the white CS I ironed out dead spots by a mixture of truss rod tension (experimenting with different tensions) and getting a lower action at the nut plus on the CS having filed the bridge slot a little deeper.
Try looking at Teds anatomy links about the truss rod adjustment first.

Best wishes.

So Pete...Do you like Rotos?!

VRICKY63 wrote:I bet a nice two ton brass Hipshot tailpiece would fix it. The Hipshot aluminum tails cured dead spots on 2 of my basses.

I'm going to have to eventually put the brass Hipshot on my C64 due to tailpiece lift. I understand the deflation feeling. I used to have three Ricks, now I have one. Had to sell 2 because of my economic situation.

Randy, PM sent.

rickfan63 wrote: I'm going to have to eventually put the brass Hipshot on my C64 due to tailpiece lift. I understand the deflation feeling. I used to have three Ricks, now I have one. Had to sell 2 because of my economic situation.

Tail lift is very easy to fix. I think Mike Chandler was the one who posted the photo below. It's pretty self-explanatory. All that's required is a $3 C-clamp and a 2X4. When I do this, I add a strong, flat piece of metal (angle iron) across the width of the tail to spread the force out evenly and keep the tail from curling (across the strings).

rickfan63 wrote:

VRICKY63 wrote:I bet a nice two ton brass Hipshot tailpiece would fix it. The Hipshot aluminum tails cured dead spots on 2 of my basses.

I'm going to have to eventually put the brass Hipshot on my C64 due to tailpiece lift. I understand the deflation feeling. I used to have three Ricks, now I have one. Had to sell 2 because of my economic situation.

I recommend the aluminum version for the traditional tone.