Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I have an early 2006 4003, and absolutely love it. When played unplugged, the E string and body are very resonant. However as I've been gigging and rehearsing with the bass now (still only a handful of times), I can't seem to ignore that it seems the E string is a bit anemic compared to the others.

I assume this has something to do with the pickup height(s)/adjustment, setup, etc. The stock strings are still installed. Any advice or suggestions how to get rid of my E string anemia?

Thanks in advance.

(I tried searching the archives for this topic, but couldn't find it. I apologize if this is redundant - please point me in the right direction, if so.)

Have you tried raising the Pickup on the E side?

Hey there Rikk,

I haven't yet. I figured I'd ask 'round here first. Which pickup? Both? Or just the neck? Also, I wasn't sure about adjusting it - I figured that if I raise the E side of the neck pickup, that it would also raise the output of the A string.

This has been a huge problem for a long time. Hopefully the new "adjustable" polepiece highgains will take care of this problem.?

Hey Scott, my 4003 was made in March of this year, I believe. Should mine have the adjustable pole pieces? This is my first Ric, but it appears the pole pieces on the neck pickup have varying/adjustable heights? If so, how do I adjust the individual pole pieces? (The pickup cover is installed over the bridge pickup, so I can't be sure about it)

[Hey Rikk - I see in the Boston thread that you live in the Boston area. Whereabouts? I do, too. I lived in Somerville from 2000 until this summer, when I moved up to the North Shore. Are you gigging these days?]

The new higains Im refering to have "hex" ?adjustable pole pieces.

I havent seen them personally,,,but others here on the forum have.

A very new item.

Scott - do you know when the 4003 models began including the hex adjustable pickups? I just did a search on the forum for a discussion about this, but can't seem to find that information. My 4003 was made in March of this year.

Another thing that works many times is to tweak the truss rods, maybe turn them an 1/8 or less of a turn, they sometimes resonate and dampen certain notes. Set up can completely change the sound and balance of your bass many times also.

Hipshot bridge and more EQ . 120 HZ on down .

Drew, another suggestion is to back off the tension on the E string enough to make sure it is not twisted from the tailpiece hole to where it is going onto the adjusting key. You do not want it to have a twist end to end, across the bridge and nut. It can't vibrate as freely if twisted.

Nice one John. Great piece of advice. A slightly twisted string can be a cause for 'dull' sound.

my favorite way to make the E string resonate better on any bass is to add a 5th string (low B) the additional tension on the neck makes the whole bass resonate better ...

snore.... snore....

Interesting points, all. I'm scheduling an appointment with Jim Mouradian to have him take a look and see what he thinks.

Acoustically, the E string is anything but anemic. Its strong, punchy, and the result is very resonant. Its simply amplified that the E is anemic. The Ric received a full setup from the factory from a good dealer everyone here is familiar with.

Let us know how it turned out after the new setup....