Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I hope I'm in the right place! I'm not too sharp on this techie stuff.

My new 4003 Monty is making a lot of what I would call single coil noise. It's a long story, but my wife purchased this bass about 2 months ago.

The FIRST MONTY had a bad switch. Every time you changed positions, it had a static burst. The bass was exchanged by the dealer without any problems. The only problem is that I don't have a RIC dealer near me, so it had to be shipped back.

This one was a Christmas gift and I only managed to get some quality time in with it today. I noticed a fair amount of humm. I only play through a PA via a wireless transmitter in church and it was un-playable! Just SO MUCH noise! I had to switch back to my Alembic and the problem stopped.

My old axe is an Alembic EPIC with active Pups and it is DEAD QUIET! My 4001CS is also DEAD QUIET on the same setup.

Any advice? I tried different cables, no difference. Tried 3 different amps at home, no difference. As I said, the CS is dead quiet on the same set up.

Are the 4003 pickups that much different from the 4001CS? Could it be a problem with the bass? Do I need a noise filter of some kind? Is there something I can do or does it have to go back?

ANY help would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks!

If it is under warranty, don't F with it. Just contact RIC support after the holidays. If it is out of warranty, you could check the circuit for bad solder joints. More than likely you have a bad ground. In more than 25 years of playing them I have NEVER had a noisy Rick under any conditions. Get a copy of the schematic from the RIC site and compare it with your wiring. Check for poor or broken solder by gently tugging on the wires where they connect to the backs of the pots and to the jacks. Bad joints will break loose with very slight provocation.

I also recommend that you check that the bridge/tailpiece is properly grounded. This can be done with a VOM with the pickguard removed by checking the resistance between any pot housing (ground) to any point on the bridge or tailpiece.

A very good point Gary. I neglected to mention that. There should be a wire connected to the bottom of the mute that runs back to one of the pots.

You don't even have to remove the pickguard, just check continuity between the bridge and the jackplate.

Thanks Ted & Gary,

Thanks for the help.

I'll call Ric during the week. It is BRAND NEW and still under warrantee. I don't want to void my warrantee by opening it up.

I'll wait until I speak to Ric customer service.

I guess I just had a bit of bad luck with my Rics. What are the odds of having TWO brand new MB's with noise problems?

I'll let you know what they say. I fear it will probably have to go back. When I think of all the things that can go wrong in shipping it just pisses me off.

Thanks again!

Hey Jeff!

Thanks! I'll give that a try!
I'll be back later on tonight with the results.

What should I set my meter for, just ohms and zero it out before I check for the ground?

I appreciate the help!

PS...How's that CD coming?!?!?

Happy New Year Everyone!

Tony

"What are the odds of having TWO brand new MB's with noise problems?"

It's the finish. You are destined to own Fireglo only!

Hey Jeff,

You may be right! I read on the RIC corporate home page forum a that a fellow had a BRAND NEW MB and it had a crack on the neck! Actually purchased from the same dealer as mine was! Ric replaced it with no problems.

The RIC gods are not looking kindly on MB I guess.

Fireglo, hmm....let me ask the wife.....NOT!

Moctezuma's revenge, perhaps?

Tony wrote:

What should I set my meter for, just ohms and zero it out before I check for the ground?

That is correct. (My B+K Tool Kit 2704B VOM has a continuity setting - it beeps when there is no resistance between test points.)

Because this is my 2030th post, I post a picture of my 2030GF:

COOL !!!!

Gary,very nice! Is there something on the pickguard? So far I'm having a hazy 2006.

The CD is finally done. We will be having a CD release gig at The Winchester in Lakewood, Ohio on Feb. 11. Come on out!

OHIO IN FEBRUARY?!?!?!

Thanks for the invite Jeff, however, let me know when you are touring in Florida!

Nice & warm here in Feb. How about a nice mail order?

I can listen to my new CD out by the pool!