Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Has anyone any suggestions???

Figure this out... Within the last couple of days, my 2001 4003 RIC sounds distorted when I don't have my thumb anchored on the front pickup. Even when I switch from front to back pickup and do any other of the bass control adjustments, I get that distortion. (Sounds like a outboard pre-amp box when the battery is dying...but it's definately the bass).

Like I said, it only does it when my thumb is not anchored on the front pickup. When I move down the strings and anchor my thumb on the other strings, the distortion is there...

Could it be a ground wire? Being passive, it couldn't be too complicated...could it? Any suggestions would be appreciated. I've tried using both inputs, cables, etc. and when I use my other bass with the exact same set-up everythings okay.

It's the front pickup/thumb anchor thing that makes me think it's a ground wire....

Just would like your thoughts before either tearing into it or taking it to the bass guitar doctor.

Regards, Al.

Just play with the adjustment screws and see what happens. Sounds like something is getting loose. I bet it is a ground wire. It just needs a couple of turns with a screw driver. That's all. Have fun.

New Development! I adjusted the front pickup, lowered them about 1/4 of a turn...the distortion was gone but the front pickup also stopped working. So I took the pickguard off and had a look. Couldn't find any loose wires or anything suspicious...not that I'd really know anyways, unless a wire was hanging off with a red flag on it, screaming "it's me, it's me." So I put the guard back on tightened everything up and everything is working again???? What's up with that? Regards, Al.

I am now willing to bet that one of the pickup leads might be to blame. Of course, there is no "red flag" on this, but maybe an "unnoticible" sloppy soldering, if you know what I mean. Maybe not all of the copper wire strands were soldered too good, causing your problem. You might want to check into this with a magnifying glass, or have your local luthier do this. It might be the case with your lead and/or ground wire(s). Of course, I am no expert, but it's just another idea.

Al , iif you ever come down to the Seattle area , look me up , I'll be happy to take a look at your instruments , Rick or otherwise .

As to what is this .... I'd have to say the leads are your problem .

The old style toasters have an interesting soldering hookup on the bottom .The HOT wire it soldered to a post near the magnetic polepieces and the ground/earth wire is unwrapped and split to go to a post and a soldering lug on the corner of the cover .THAT is where your trouble is .

On high gains that do not use the toaster bobbin , there is a wire that comes out of a hole near the middle of the bobbin .This is basically in the same location as the soldering post of the toaster . It too has the split ground/earth wire.

On toasters , the hot loves to come off , and on high gains , the ground earth wire is the culprit .

I doubt the coil is defective in any way .

Thanks for the responses. Mark...can I get a phone number/address? I'd like to try and plan a trip to Everett. How far is that from the BC border? Regards, Al.