Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Man Iam SOOO sick of this. Everytime I change strings, I have to work AND work with the truss rods to get the neck, even semi streight. And now its so scary tight, that even though I want more out of them, I am too afraid of breaking the rods. I must have a nerfed neck is all I can figure. I have never (out of over 30+ RICS) this much trouble before. This is the secound major defect I have in this thing. 4004CII/5. ARRRRGGGGHH!!!!!

Can you loosen them all the way ? Clamp the neck straight...then tighten the rods ?

I try to change one string at a time. Do you take them all off at once? Difficult necks require a little manual setting before the rods are adjusted. Try this.

1) Take the strings off

2) Remove the truss nuts

3) Inspect the rods for burrs or munged threads

4) Lube the rod ends with a light non-silicone oil

5) Spin the nuts back on finger tight and then add a quarter turn with the wrench.

6) Re-string and tune up

7) Adjust the rods but take the string load off of the neck by flexing the neck backwards by hand. Adjust the nuts and release the neck. Retune and test the relief.

Are you changing the strings one at a time? If not, this could be part of your problem. Are you the original owner? If so it's still under warranty.

Hi, yes I change them one at a time. I can and do lossen the nuts completly. The rod nuts themselves turn perfectly. The rods are in good shape as far as burrs and whatnot. I do take the tension off the rods by manually pulling back on the head as I tighten. AHH the old days:-) If it were this one time, I could perhaps chalk it up to the strings. But it seems no matter which type / gauge I use, this pattern just repeats itself. I had mentioned this to Mark A. recently, and he was less than flattering about the design in general. This is the first RIC bass I have had this much issue with. I guess I am due.... As far as warrenty goes, no. I took care of that when I "fixed" it. LOL. Even if I did have warrenty left, the chance of it being returned would be shakey considering the fate of this model. I'm sure they have new ones laying around, but then I would just have to do the pickups again I just wish it worked. The NEW stringsI just put on are D'Addario XL ENR71-5,half round, .045,.065,.080,.100,.130 Semi-Flatwounds. I think these are considered regular light guage. None of the local shops are carrying my favorites, Thomastick jazz at the moment. I have not the area or the equipment to clamp the neck streight, and tighten. I do it by hand, supporting the body not the neck while I adjust. again.... ARRRRGGGGHHH!!!!

Sorry for the rant, just frustrated. Thanks for letting me vent.

Even though you changed the p/u's that has nothing to do with the neck issue so your warranty should still cover it. I'd at least call and check into it.

ah better sell it...

I can help you find a buyer.

Yeah, give Kenny a call. It should still be covered. Sorry to hear you are having problems with it. You certainly have had a love-hate relationship with the 4004Cii/5.

LOL, yeah Ted, mostly love, but OMG!! I will call Kenny in the morning, see if I can still get this done. Its a week 23 year 2004 build, so technically its under warrenty, if.... well allot of if's...

That clamping the neck and bending it to position stuff was for the old rods. The 4004cii5 has the new style rods which can just be tightened until you get it where you want it. You're not losening the nuts when you're actually changing strings are you? Assuming it's already where you want it, changing them one at a time should preserve the setting. If you've had the body routed to accept wider pickups, I'll bet that would void your warranty.

JH also suggests the old technique for stubborn necks with the modern rods.

Yes Dane, I am pretty sure that I have violated the warrenty. Its ok, I CAN get the thing going, its just the only RIC I have had to mess with this much.
1. I do not losen the nuts arbitraly when I change strings.
2. I DO change strings one at a time.
Only after stringing do I start looking at the neck/truss rod adjustments. First I try to tighten them up, but they already really tight. Then I losen the nuts, and bend the neck into position with the new strings in tune. I tighten them back to SCARY tight tension again or the bow is crazy. Almost a half inch.
Only then am I close to where it was when I started.
2-3 sessions of adjustment, and I'm good till the strings die.

Beleive me. I have had almost every 4001/3 model RIC bass in all age versions, I am vaguely familiar with the basic procedure. I am really more concerned that I might over tighten the nuts, and break something. Like I said, it's scary tight.
I hate it.

If you can't get it worked out with RIC for what ever reason, Dale Fortune lives in Oregon. He might be able to help you locally - fairly locally.

Yeah, I think he is in Alhoa. Not far from me in Clackamas. I should have him look at it regardless.

In addition to being a superb luthier he is a genuinely nice guy.