Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

On a 1980 4003 can the truss rods be reversed to adjust at the headstock?

And are the truss rods on a 1980 4003 the same kind as a modern 4003 or are they like the old 4001?

I think I know the answer to this but I want to check with others on this.

1st question:Don't know.
2nd question:I've always heard that they were 4001 rods.

ok the rods can be turned around ... thanks to MA for that info ... but I still need to confirm what type of rods are used on a 1980 4003 ...

Hm... Interesting questions. If I remember correctly, the truss rods on a February 1981 4003 I used to own were 4001-style. As for reversing them to adjust at the headstock in 4001 fashion, I don't think you can call that a definite improvement - I'm sure the truss rods on the early 4003 basses were adjusted at the body end of the neck in order to make said adjustment MUCH easier which they certainly did - I have reversed the truss rods on three of my 4001 basses in order to be able to adjust them at the body end of the neck with outstanding results.

The early 4003's had no cavity at the headstock; just
the channel ends.
So there isn't any room there for the nuts or even to swing
a wrench.

At least, the ones I've worked on were this way. (Pre '83)

the headstock can be routed for adjustment ... but I now see that the first version of the 4003 had the old soft steel truss rods where you detune the strings, adjust the neck, then set the rods, and then retune the strings ... I think I will continue to stay away from all pre-1986 Ric basses ...

With the old style truss you do not, DO NOT, detune the strings. You just adjust the neck to were you like it, and then re tighten the truss rods.

but then you need 3 hands to do everything ...

Thanks to John Hall for implementing a better truss rod system when he took over the company ...

I don't have three hands and I manage to adjust the rods just fine on my two basses with the old rods.

Pick up a new bass Jeff ??

As you know I have gas for both a white and a silver 4003 with black trim that I can convert to a 5 or 8 string ... an interesting candidate came up but it is a pre-1986 4003 ... I just don't want to deal with those old fashioned rods ... for me it is 1986 and later ...

And I heard it was Brian Carman who told JH that the old rods needed to be updated ... anyway I am sooo glad they went modern ... nobody even makes the old steel for the old rods anymore ... getting a replacement is difficult ...

Scott,

My '67 4005WB and '73 4001 both have the old style rods.

I have an 81 4003, yes it has the old rods turned around and it was a definite improvement over adjustment at the headstock for those kind of rods, I would leave it the way it is. I have no problems at all with them. I also easily adjust 4001's and early 4003's by myself with two hands and no help. The new rods are better though.