Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

HI Guys Again,
I must say Im really not getting sold on this Ric thing.The A on my E-string sounds very thuddy compared to the other notes.While all of the rest of the notes D,G,C at the fifth fret position are nice and clear.Any ideas?
Brent

it could be a dead spot, or it could be the strings, or it could be your speaker cabinet ...

If cabinets are not baffeled correctly they will resonate on certain frequencies ... I have one cab the resonates on a "c" and another that resonates on a "d" ... then there are some frequencies that do not reproduce as well from these cabs ...

So try different strings, try different speaker cabinets, try a different head,

See if another bass is weak on that same note through the same amp ....

Yep, I'd say the problem is in the speaker cab. Once I faced that very issue with a friend's home-made speaker enclosure. The answer? Opening a so-called port on the front panel, a sort of bass-reflex opening. It worked nicely.

Brent: I would be making the most straight forward changes first. I am assuming that you have tried a new E string. Are all other notes on the E string fine? Can you replicate the problem with a new E string?

I haven't tried a new set of strings yet.They're still the original Ric strings.I've been somewhat nervous to put a new set on.(wondering what the neck will do,intonation adjustment,etc.)
Brent

You gotta change them strings sooner or later .. they go dead so fast ... I buy cheap nickle wound strings and change them alot ... The 4003 is pretty easy to set up ...

I played a Ric at a Mars music store ... they are now out of business ... and it was awful ... why? because it was set up poorly ...

If the action is too high all of the life and personality goes out of a Ric ... it becomes ploddy and dull ... yecch ...

But a properly set up Ric is a tremendous instrument ....

You best believe it.

Brent: Please change the E string. I suspect that your troubles will end there.

I agree with Jeff and Sergio. However, if you read the user reviews on Harmony Central poor set up and action on new 4003s is a recurring complaint. My own new 4003 has higher action than I'd like; my local luthier has fully adjusted the bridge and has suggested cutting the nut down. I'm not ready for that, if it ever gets warm again I'll schlepp it to the nearest Ric dealer and have him try.

I sometimes find Ric nuts are cut too low ... (gosh that sounds weird) ... I like an almost flat neck with low action and I sometimes find that the open strings will buzz ...

You can get a replacement nut from Ric or a dealer for about $3 +/- ... it is a good idea to have a spare or two around .... this is an important part of the instrument that is often overlooked ...

I agree Jeff, proper nut depth is THE key to the overall feel of the instrument. You have to be real careful though , its real easy to mess one up.