Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've been told thatmy JG 4003S continues to buzz / rattle in the speakers FOH after having a setup done. I can certify it is not string / fret rattle; it emanates from the body, and I suspect my Horseshoe.

I'm skittish about disassembling it when I do NOT have a clear plan or goal, so could anyone opine how to silence this?

Deepest Thanks,
Garry

Take a screw driver and make sure that everything is tightened up really well. You would be surprised what a loose screw (in the right location) can do to your sound.
I had this happen to me on a Hofner a few years back. It drove me crazy! I double checked every screw on the bass to make sure that everything was well tightened down.
I found the loose culprite screw (the volume knob) and that was the end of that.
Good luck.
JC

PS - As long as you're not pulling wires and disconnecting things that you are unsure about being able to put back together, don't worry about hurting your bass. Take it apart and make sure everything is good and tight. The experience will bring you closer to it.

Did you check the rods?

My '73 4001 has a nasty rattle. Its the bar in the bridge that holds the foam mutes. Even when I tighten the screw posts she rattles. Hope I don't have to remove the entire bridge to fix it, but may be heading that way.

My '72 4001 has the same problem Bob and other than identify where the rattle was coming from I haven't done anything to fix it yet. I don't play this bass that often so it's not a priority at the moment.

Regarding my 4003S, it's been set up recently at Charley's here in Dallas, the guy knows his stuff well, and that has made no change.

As I stated to start off the thread, I can tell the rattle is emanating from the bridge or bridge pickup.

Thanks again,
Garry

Gary: It seems that the issue is with the mechanics of the bridge pickup. It is time for someone to take it apart and examine what the aberrant action is. I see no reason why this technician shouldn't be you.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it is to find those parts that move when the instrument is under the stress of playing. Should you be identified during the mission, the secretary will dissavow all knowledge of your actions. I am confident you will find the problem if you take the pickup apart. It is not that complicated and will not self-destruct. Good luck!

Why did my computer smoke and die after reading Peter's responce?

Don't know if this will help as I don't have a horseshoe p/u, but on my 4003 I had a rattle eminating from the bridge (hi-gain) pickup. I came on this forum when it was called "Ask a Rickenbacker Luthier" (whatever happened to Mark anyway?) and asked how to fix it. Mark suggested I take the assembly apart, and on the two large screws on either side of the pickup assembly were springs. He suggested I replace those springs, as they were the probable cause of the rattling. So I did just that, and voila the rattling disappeared.

Again, I am not familiar with the horseshoe p/u, so this may not even be feasible for your problem.

Hey, just checked out RIC's website and stumbled onto this. Looks like the spring in question is the same in both the high-gain and the horseshoe. Might be worth a shot...

http://www.rickenbacker.com/pdf/bpickups.pdf

Gary: Whatever became of your Jetglo 4003S rattle?

If it's not the strings rattling on the frets it may be the mute.
Make sure the neck is properly adjusted and there's enough relief to clear the frets and if that isn't it try removing the mute.