Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi everyone.
My '04 4003 seems to have developed a frustrating Vibration on sertain notes and I think its the truss rod/rods doing it. I've stripped the bass right down(except the rods)and taped up wires and tightened screws and nuts thinking it will solve the problem.
I have been playing the same strings since I've had the bass(Elites Stadium Mediums 100/80/60/40) and when I put them on the bass shortly after buying it new I adjusted the rods as mentioned on this site so I know I did it properly.
Could it be possible that one of the rod nuts has worked loose?(I've checked but there seems to be no play in the nuts)The neck has not shifted any and other than that the bass is set up and plays flawlessly so i'm stumped!
If I put my ear to the neck or close to the neck the noise is louder than anywehre else on the bass so I'm sure its the rods but really hoping its not.
Anyway, before I rip out the rods I thought I'd just ask first.
Thanks alot as usual.
Steve

set the rods to ring instead of vibrate ...

ok bad joke ...

Take the strings off and hold the bass in playing position. Lightly strike up and down the back of the neck with the heel of your fretting hand. If the rods are rattling you should hear them by doing this. Rattling rods can be fixed by removing them and re-taping them. They are wrapped in common 1" wide masking tape. Sometimes the tape gets torn up while the rods are being inserted. I can give you details on how to remove and re-tape them if you would like.


Jeff:

you rang...?

I wouldn't think that they would rattle if they were tight inside the cavity, check the nuts.

If the tape is disturbed they can rattle quite a bit.

I once thought I had a truss rod(s) that rattled on certain notes, but it turned out be a toaster pickup cover and was an easy fix.

My truss rods rattle like crazy. Can't really hear it when amplified, and it doesn't seem to affect the tone. I could re-tape the rods, but I've had a nightmare time with bloody tape and trussrods, as you may recall Ted. I daren't go near the damn things.....

I lube them up with a little carnuba before sliding them back in. I have not torn the tape once since I started doing that.

Good tip.

Great tips chaps, thanks.
Today for the first time, I'll atempt a "Trussectomy"
Wish me luck!!
Steve

Good luck Steve - take your time. Let us know how it goes.

Thanks Tom!
Well, I've just returned from the Surgical table and all went really well.
I spent the afternoon stripping the entire bass down to its component parts.
Carefully removed both rods noticing that the g side rods tape was lightly scuffed which I then retaped.
Anyhow, I rebuilt the whole bass and put a new set of Nylon wound Roto's on in the procsess, its now perfect and sounds great.
Thanks yall.
Steve

I like happy endings.

Ain't it great?!