Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'm hoping someone here can help me find an easy fix for a problem that is driving me nuts!

Recently acquired a 1988 V63 MG. VERY SWEET BASS. The action is lower than ANY of my other basses! It is LOW, LOw, low... I love it!

No buzzing strings, no dead spots, nothing! Just lousy tuning!

It just will not stay in tune for more than a few minutes! I mean I can't get through a song before it de-tunes (is that a word?) Tried TWO new sets of strings, Rotosounds & DR HIGHBEAMS. No difference.

The bass was intonated with a strobe tuner and tuned up perfectly. It holds until I start to play, and I have a VERY LIGHT TOUCH!

Could it be the machine heads need replacing?

If so, are the V63 tuning pegs different than a standard 4003? I don't wish to drill ANYTHING.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

I would try changing the strings, streching them out properly, and seeing if that has a positive effect on this.

is there too much string wound around the tuner?
are the strings old?
is the bass going through a climate change? dry to humid or humid to dry?

I'm not familiar with the tuners on a v63, as I don't own one (yet); is there a screw holding a gear like there is on regular tuners? If so, check that they are not loose (which would allow the spindle to slip).

it could also be that the slots in the nut are too tight so the strings are hanging up ... so when you tune the bass the strings slip a little at the nut later and you are out of tune ... the solution make the slots in the nut a little larger ...

Thanks everyone for the response so far! I really appreciate the help.

In order of response:

Greg: BOTH sets of strings are BRAND NEW, right out of the package. I stretched them as usual, still no help.

Jeff: I'm usually guilty of too much string around the peg, but these strings are only 1 1/2 to two full loops around the peg.

Gary: All were tight except the "G" string. I snugged them all down for good measure.

Jeff again: I think you might be onto something here with the nut. It is hardly cut at all! I went to see if I could move a string just to see if it was snagged, and it popped right out of the nut with almost no effort at all! As do ALL the strings! That amazes me because the action is SO low, I never noticed the nut!

Could cutting it deeper make a difference in tune? The strings don't seem snagged, could a nut that isn't cut ENOUGH cause this problem? I'm just a bit uneasy about doing anything that isn't reversible!

Tony: If your nut is pinching your strings, there are at least two telltale signs. To begin, when you tune up you may notice a creaking sound as the strings fetch up and then pull quickly through the slot. Further, after playing for a time, the strings will go sharp as they get pinched by the slots.

I would listen very carefully as you tune up and also check the pitch on the strings after playing for a while to see if they have gone sharp.

Tony,
Do you put the end of the string into the hole pointing towards the rear of the headstock when starting to string. I find that this really helps prevent slipping.

Hi Peter & thanks for the response!

YES, when I installed the stings, there was a "creaking" sound. I just thought it was the Rotosounds. Just when the strings would seem snug, there was a "slip" then slack up a bit.

I didn't really pay any attention to it! I just assumed the string guage was a bit larger than was previously installed and that it was normal.

Boy, you hit it right on the head! YES, the strings keep going out of tune BUT they go SHARP! I couldn't figure it out! I thought it was strange, I figured if it was the tuners, they would go FLAT. It had me NUTS!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I was assuming the worst! Bridge problems, tuning pegs, etc.

Now the big question, if you don't mind another one, is how much cutting is enough? Should I leave it up to a luthier? Do I just use a file? NEVER done ANYTHING like this before!

Thanks again!

Hey Ken,

I'm sorry, but I'm not clear on what you are trying to describe, "end of the string into the hole pointing towards the rear of the headstock".

I mean, I installed my strings with the string into the hole, but I don't get the "towards the rear of the headstock" part. Sorry, I'm just a bit dense!

I do install my strings as shown in your pictures if that helps.

If it is going sharp it is a moot point. The picture, although a bit fuzzy, shows the sting going into the hole in the center of the post. I have seen some players not use this. My description is probably a little lame.

You probably need to file the nut wider. I would be careful not to go deeper as this may cause fret buzzing.

Hi Ken,

Ok, got it! Yes, I use the center hole in the tuner. Thanks for the clarification!

Actually, what little groves there are in the nut, are a SHAPE of a "V". All my other basses have a "U" or a more rounded shape. I take it that is the way they SHOULD be?

Thanks again!

A "V" is the way RIC does them. Are you using a heavier gauge string than OEM strings? You may get away with some nut lube like Dr. String Fellow. I use pencil lead (graphite) on the nut.

One of the first things I did when I bought my V63 was change strings and put a bone nut on it. You can see the graphite in the D & G slots.

Ken:

YES, I'm using a heavier gauge than the OEM strings. I had an extra set of ROTOSOUNDS on hand so I put them on.

I have to order some more DI Highbeams. I normally use a VERY LIGHT gauge, but these Rotosounds are larger than I would normally use.

I never heard of Dr. String Fellow, I'll give it a try after the pencil treatment. If both fail, I'll try to file the nut a bit and install the thinner gauge strings. If all else fails, I'll take it to the luthier for a nut replacement.

I'll keep you posted on how it progresses.
Thanks again for taking the time to help, I REALLY appreciate it!