Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi,
I'm new to the site - and new to Rickenbackers too.
Just acquired a '91 4001v63 Lefty.

I've searched the forums, but haven't found any tips re: getting the best out of the 4001v63 in terms of set-up.

The shop I purchased from assured me that they would tweak the set-up but I think they made a pigs ear of it.

I've raised the neck p/u to get a bit more growl - this is the sound I'm looking for. (Played through a Gallien-Kruger 1001RB with 1x15 and 2x10 cabs)

So what I'm looking for is guidance on:

1. Action - any measurements welcome! (from what I can see there is only one adjustment - you can't adjust individual string heights)
2. Bridge and Neck p/u heights / clearance from strings.
3. String clearance at 8th fret with 12th depressed (i.e. optimum truss rod adjustment - I think those are the right fret placepoints)
4. And any other thoughts or considerations that you might think are relevant.

I know a lot of this is down to personal preference but if anyone can share their views / findings then it will be of much help.

Oh yes, and what's all that magnet looking like stuff between the bridge and the horseshoe. (I know - Tut, tut, newbies I hear you say! I should have done the research but I've got lost along the way)

Thanks for any help,
Cheers
Jo

Hi Jo! Nice bass choice!

Sounds like your amp rig is just fine.

1. Action is a personal thing. I set mine as low as I can get it with just the hint of fret buzz.

2. pickup in relation to the strings. If you like how it sounds, then its perfect. (experiment).

3. Ricks are designed to intonate best with neck perfectly straight. Be careful when adjusting the twin rods, make sure you make equal adjustments on each one.

4. Check how the string sits in the nut slot. Very important here. I cut my slots pretty low to get the best possible action. But be very careful, if you cut them to low, the strings will buzz against the frets when you play an open note. Then its to low, and you either have to replace the nut, or shim it up from the bottom.

5. As far as the magnet looking stuff between the bridge and horseshoe, Im not real sure what your talking about.

6. We all here on the forum really like pictures.

Hey Jo! Welcome, and lets see some pictures of that baby!
Another V63 user here. ('92 & '93)
I also use 2X10 and 1X15 cabs with mine.
Haven't even worked on the set-ups yet. The '92 is pretty good as is, but the '93 needs some work. The nut's been replaced, and it isn't quite right.




Kevin

Hi Jo,

That "magnet looking thing" is the mute, adjusted by the large thumbscrews on either side of the tailpiece. Not many like the mute, and if you do use it, you may have to bend the metal plate the foam rests on a bit so it makes even contact with all the strings. Any modification to the mute requires removing the tailpiece from the bass, though.

Welcome to the forum!

Thank you all for the welcome, and info. I feel like I've just joined a very exclusive club!

Scott, thanks - I've lifted the action a smidgeon, has done the trick, a little fret buzz when played hard. Will play for a while and see how the sound goes.

Paul, thanks for that - thought it might be a mute thing - but why would you want to mute it, the guitar has such sustain it would be a shame to kill it off. Anyway, finger muting works fine!


Oh, and I only took delivery yesterday afternoon (wedding present from my fiancee) so will get a few pics done over the weekend once I've finished cleaning it up.

Cheers
Jo

Geez, we got Jo here, and Keith and Michael over on a different thread. Three new guys in one day. This Rickenbacker thing is really catching on. 'add one of those smiley things'

Wow, what a wedding present!

My feeling excactly on the mute. If I wanted less sustain, I'd be using my F****R.

Why would you want to mute it?
Because when that bridge was designed a "bass" was the big doghouse acoustic, which had no sustain. The idea of the mute was to make the electric bass(viewed as a toy/gimmick/joke by many at the time)sound more like a "real" bass.
Another reason would be trying to recreate some of the classic tones McCartney got from his Ric bass.

LOL Yes. I know i'm very lucky!

So, just so I understand etiquette on this forum, I understand that the F****R is a dirty word. Fine by me, hateful things.

What others are also taboo?

Rickenfaker
Rotosound ()
Flatwound
Roundwound
Pick
Fingers
4005 Reissue
Waiting list
Lefties
Righties

Guess that depends on who you ask... Oh, and welcome!!!

You'll find that most here have several basses, some of which are Fenders, but it is the RIC forum, plus there's "The Others" section.

another no-no

You forgot to mention the eventual "What's the color of the year" thread that should be popping up any day now. BAD. Shame!

I KNEW I missed a couple...

So what IS the COY? (ducks)