Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I recently bought a 1991 4993S MGBT bass. It was one owner and the pics looked good. Upon arrival, I discovered the neck had a rise around the 3rd fret, and the tailpiece had about 1/4" of lift. After contacting Gary Clauson and Dale Fortune (thanks for the great info and pics guys!!) I have resolved (mostly) the issues.

Dale told how to locally dress just a few frets when I thought I had a few high. It turned out one curved truss rod needed rotating 180 degrees to get the neck flat.

Gary's info and pics had me getting a little more than half of the tail lift out. I have not decided yet to drill out the two holes to get the rest down to wood. The bass came with 3 year old Carvin strings, which are made by LaBella, and are high tension. I believe this caused the lift. I will either drill and screw or get a Hipshot. Input?

Here are a couple pics after a good Scratch-x/Zymol cleaning.





The writing is interesting - almost a novel!

Now the family portrait:

I want the one in the middle!!!!!

Lovely family! Oh, and I vote for the screws.

Thats the tone monster in the middle - chromes and all the Rick sound you want and with low end to boot.

John - niiiice! I am a such sucker for wood grain.

Look at that baby SHINE!

I love the "S" basses, and this one
is a beautiful example!

Very nice John, VERY NICE!

that S is hot.

Nice family, John. And good job getting your S in order.

I vote for drilling the tailpiece. That would be the most cost-effective route. If you mess it up, the Hipshot can be your plan B!

Me like S!

Thanks all - I am now an S convert, though I retain my membership in the 4004 booster club too.

I was laying for a 4001 if a nice one came along and then I was pointed to this one by Greg Kernkamp when I missed out on his - thanks Greg! I wasn't too sure on the BT, but now that it is here I likey, especially with the MG finish. I like the body contour of the S models, but I wish it was carried on more to the end of the upper bout - that edge is still a little too oblique.

Jeff - after restringing with a used set of Rotosound rounds and the lift being still a tad over 1/8", I'm leaning towards just what you suggest. I plan on drilling and countersinking the holes, then bolting back on the bass, clamping till it reaches the body, then drilling the wood and screwing. Wish RIC had the screws in black. Where's my black nail polish.....

I just noticed my typo in the first post - 4993S HAR! - maybe in the year 2075!

Go for the hipshot. I have installed one on my fg 4003 and it's a lot better than the original. The looks are somewhat different but you get used to it...

Good to see you in the "S Club" John! (A shot of my jetglo is over in the Rickenbacker Family Portrait thread near the end.)

Just found the thread again. I remembered one like that but couldn't find it. Nice pair of Ss David! You going to wait until 66 to get the next one?

Oh, and thanks!

Congrats on the new bass, John. Welcome to the S Club! Great trio!

Thank you Joey. Fun to play and almost as comfortable as the 4004. Still need a 4001 though.... wonder if Irene reads these forums?

I agree John, you need a 4001 also!!

My kids .........
'97 CS, '72 FG (with horseshoe), '91 V-63, '73 FG.
All but the '72 have custom made pickguards. I made the one for the CS to fit the more rounded corner of the surround (like the C-64's).