Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi,

My 4003 (new, purchased July 2001) had a curve on the neck, so that I could not have low action anymore.

I gave it to my luthier, for him to correct this default and, by the way, adapt the adjustment of the neck to the new string (RS66 45-105).

My bass is back home now, the curve has disappeared (just remains a normal very light curve), and the action is low as I like. But my luthier warned me he had to give very much tension to the truss rod to obtain this result. And now, the end of the truss rod disturbs the "Rickenbacker" plate on the headstock so that it cannot be totally screwed. It is fixed, but not completely screwed.

I'm afraid this is a big problem, and that things won't get better while time passes. Please can anyone be of any help, and tell me what I can do ?

I make replacement truss rod plates from thicker stock material .

I use either brass , aluminum or steel .I reuse the steel #8 washers and re-assemble .

I find a thicker piece of metal that is shaped to the end of the rod cavity and then drilled for the rods to pass through is a better way.This is NOT necessary for all guitar , but only on the necks where the steel is curving and there needs to be more tension .
I generally use aluminum 1/8" stock as it looks like the old bars that were used pre 1990.When coupled with a dab of oil on the threads of the rods and the two steel washers get added , this make a real differance.

This is concerning the "NEW" version of truss rods in Ricks ......not the old vintage ones .