Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I have always been happy with my Rics straight out of the box, and have never thought Ihad the need (or been brave enough) to tinker.

However, I have noticed one thing - the two with the far thicker neck ('03 4003, '08 4004L) have slightly raised action compared to my other ones with far thinner ones.

Has anyone else noticed this? I didn't really until I got my ex-demo 4004 cii last week. The action on that is super-low - I've never played a bass like it, as it has that lovely clanky sound.

It makes the Laredo seem high - I'm not sure if it is....or just me having played something really low! Incidentally, the string levels are consistent on both the 'higher' ones, not neck issues or anything....and I know that 2 Rics are never the same!

I've always been worried about tackling string lowering - far too many horror stories.

Question is - if I do look at lowering the 4004L, is it straight forward? Or do I just appreciate the diifferene in sound and feel? And is it normal to have slightly higher action on thicker necks? I looked in the manual, and just felt confused!

Perhaps I'm being too picky - or too spoilt by unusally low action?

Sorry for all the questions, but until I joined RR I was strictly just a player - now I'm stressing over the mechanics!

The thicker neck should not cause your bass to have higher action. The height of the action is controlled by the set up of your bass. It it really higher on your Laredo, have you measured it and compared it to you thinner neck basses.

Lowering the action on your 4004L is very straight forward. But before you change the height of the bridge saddles, check the neck for relief. It should be straight as possible

My '04 4003 has quite a neck on it and I can get the action really low. In fact, with the neck straight and the action low, this one has the least fret noise of all my Ricks. What the thicker necks do give is a more stable neck, less movement with humidity.

The thicker neck is more stable if anything. I'd rather have relief than underbow so you're probably in good shape... you just need to slowly dial it in to the optimal relief for you.

Don't be afraid of adjusting your action. Once I learned to do it it changed my playing world.