Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I had my 4003 apart last night working on a pesky fret buzz I've developed on my A string following my move North. A few minor truss rod adjustments and we'll be fine I hope.

That aside, I was also putting on some nice new Super Slinkies and noticed that the Nut is getting a little worn, so, I figure after 10 years of use maybe time to install a new one.

So; my question, do I go with the Black Ric nut, the white one, or does anyone here have any suggestions for another source ??

Uh Jim?...How did the nut get worn?! And how is it worn? Have the slots been filed too low?

I'd go with a black nut if you need to replace it. That way it would still look stock.

Jeff I can't honestly say, what I can say is when I took the nut off there were some very thin strips of cardboard under the nut.

With them removed the slots are at almost the same depth as the fingerboard, which I think is too low.

Ahh. It sounds like somebody filed the slots too low and then shimmed it back up. A new nut would probably be a good idea. What year is your 4003?

My 4001MG has a white nut. It's a '77 - I always thought Ric switched to the black nut (regardless of binding) before then.

Jim, like yours, mine has some shims under it, though they appear to be plastic not cardboard. Three strips, alternating black/white/black. They're lacquered along the side too if I remember correctly.

I wonder: were shims something Ric ever did even occasionally, or was my nut replaced at some point? I lean towards the latter...no other 4001 I ever owned had those shims (that I can recall at least).

All of my Ricks are all original and none have shims under the nut, Jeff. And other than the vintage re-issues, I think RIC stopped using white nuts in late '72 or early '73.

It almost sounds like you have a shim made of a strip of checker binding.

Hi,
My 4003 is a 97, and the shims are most definitely thin pieces of card, there were three I'm the original owner !!

Jim, all I can say is wow!!!! I'd like to hear how THEY got there....

Always protect your nuts!

Hi Shaun, no idea, but I can tell you how I got them out !!!