Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Help. Starting new thread on old subject, but I'm hoping for a more focused input.

Problem: noticeable drop-off in volume on "E" string.

Ric Manual tells me not to mess with pickups, other than the side adjustment screws. Some posters here say to turn the pole pieces counter clockwise, even though the manual warns that this can kill the pup? What does a new owner do?

Also, before I mess w/pups, what brand and gauge have some 4003 owners used to replace the factory installed strings that remedied the volume drop-off problem on the "E" String?

My 4003's neck is perfect. I don't think it needs adjusting.

You'll probably think I'm crazy but when I changed to the Hipshot bridge my E string problem went away. Maybe it was just a coinsidence(sp)? Of course I did take some tension off the truss rods that day too. Maybe it was a combination. Whatever it was it worked.

Cole

You've probably already checked this, but is the E string higher at the bridge than the other strings relative to the frets/pickups? Sometimes the grooves on the bridge saddles aren't filed as carefully as they could be.

If it is high, a few swipes of a small triangular file on the E string saddle might solve your problem.

JH has said tweaking the E side truss rod a tad could clear it up.

i had the same problem. i think the stock ones are nickle, the new stainless steel set made all the difference.

Good input from everyone. Lonnie, which brand and gauge of stainless did you use?

If you decide to file the "E" string saddle, don't use a triangular shaped file, use one with a rounded edge, prefferably a .105 gauge nut file. I also like to have my strings seated half in and half out of the saddle.

One thing that helps with sustain on the E (and all strings actually) without changing the bridge to a Hipshot, is removing the height adjustment hex screws and putting washers or dimes under the bridge - the amount you use depends on how you like your action. I've done this to all my basses to remedy the tilting bridge syndrome and keep the intonation accurate. It just happens to improve the sustain, too.

Thanks Mark and Dane. I checked the E string saddle and I think its about where it should be. Good to check though.

My E's sustain is good, but again, that's for the advice. I'm going to try a stainless steel set like Lonnie suggested and see if that does the trick.

Stainless are great, but then there's the fret eating issue - just something to consider if that aspect concerns you.

Stainless also tend to lose their initial "brightness" fairly quickly. Unlike Mr.Squire, I don not get a free set of RotoSounds after every gig. I really like the stock RIC nickel round wounds.

And if I was being considered for endorsement deals, I would go with DR. I use the Nickel Rounds (Sunbeams) and those suckers sound GREAT, and for a long time. DR Sunbeams. Ask for them by name. And tell them MARK sent you. Who knows... maybe I'll get a little sumthin-sumthin...

Hello!

Dane, thanks for the input. I don't like brite strings, so mellow is good to me and not an issue.

However, fret eating is a problem. Mark, I thought I had read somewhere that the fret wire on newer 4003s was improved and fret wear wasn't a problem anymore? That would be a concern.

Confused in Texas

Hey Alex - First off, if you prefer a mellow tone from your strings, then you probably want to stay away from the round-wound strings that Dane & I mentioned and use flat-wound strings instead. If that suits you, then the fret-wear problem is probably the last thing you need worry about. Another alternative is a half-round string if flats are too mellow. Those are also easy on the frets.

I haven't kept up to date on the fret wire used on the newer 4003s, so I can't confirm the info you heard. If you do a search on this forum regarding the subject of fret wear or strings, you'll probably find some in-depth threads from people who have good insight on the subject. Best of luck.

Oh... also, I heard that if you put a tiny washer on top of your E-string pickup pole piece that will, in essence, bring up the height of that particular pole closer to the E and boost volume that way.

...but that only works on the current design bass horseshoe pickup with the Alnico slugs with the flat tops.