High action - bridge bottomed out

[86kubicki]

I took my 4003DCM out of the case a few weeks ago, and it seemed to me that the action had become a bit high, (stock RIC strings still on it). I've adjusted the neck so that it's dead flat and the bridge has been set to it's lowest point, but the action still seems high (although it's certainly more playable). I've never had a Rickenbacker bass where I've had to bottom out the bridge, and the lack of adjustablility has me a bit concerned. Before I contact RIC, does anyone have any thoughts regarding this issue?

[blueflamerick]

Deepen the slots in the nut.

[doctorwho]

Steve, some close-up pictures of the issue would be useful.

[chefothefuture]

With the strings off and the bass laying on a bench, take a straight edge and lay it on the
finger board and over the pickguard to see if your neck is pulling forward.
If so, deepening the bridge slots might be your only recourse....
My v63 needed the bridge slots deepened to get it playing....
I guess a few new ricks need that done....

[ken_j]

This is the way my first Rick, a '68 4000, came from the factory. I just sanded down the bottom of the bridge. Once I got it to the point I wanted it at it just sat on the tailpiece. I didn't even need the adjusting screws.

[chefothefuture]

It's sort of unusual for a new Rick to do this. The pre 72 Ricks have the fingerboard
flush to the body which didn't allow for much hight at the bridge. Combine that with the
pull up that the necks do and you have some trouble....
The new Ricks have a higher fingerboard, so there should be more room for
adjustment.
Yet, my v63 did the same thing, so I had to deepen the bridge slots as the main
bridge doesn't really have enough meat to file off the bottom.

[cheyenne]

This is the way my first Rick, a '68 4000, came from the factory. I just sanded down the bottom of the bridge. Once I got it to the point I wanted it at it just sat on the tailpiece. I didn't even need the adjusting screws.

I love this!
If you cant raise the bridge, lower the water, so to speak.

Where there's a will there's a way....