Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I just noticed my Rick was intone at the 12th but sharp at the first fret. After further investigation I see the neck is slightly bowed upward at the first fret. Took the truss rod cover off expect to see an allen wrench adjustment and now see two long hex bolt screws? What do I do at this point?
Jack

What you do at this point is go to Joey's Bass Notes, where all will be revealed:

http://www.joeysbassnotes.com/

Sharp at the first fret? Sounds like it's getting pinched a bit at the nut. So you probably need a luthier to give it a proper setup.

Jack, I'm just curious, what are you using to tune your 4003?

I'm using a Korg ca-30 tuner to tune it.

Only place around here to setup would be GC. Not real comfortable trusting them.

I wouldn't touch GC with a ten foot pole...

Basically it sounds like the nut is pinching the string, that will cause notes close to the nut to go sharp. I had this problem on one of my Rics a few years ago, and had Scott Pope (iiipopes) work on the nut a bit and that fixed it right up. I don't feel like I'm very good at "nut work" so that's why I say to seek out a professional--it's easy to screw up and then you have to start all over. Are you sure GC is the only option in your area? Most cities have a couple of luthiers...

cassius987 wrote:I wouldn't touch GC with a ten foot pole...

Basically it sounds like the nut is pinching the string, that will cause notes close to the nut to go sharp. I had this problem on one of my Rics a few years ago, and had Scott Pope (iiipopes) work on the nut a bit and that fixed it right up. I don't feel like I'm very good at "nut work" so that's why I say to seek out a professional--it's easy to screw up and then you have to start all over. Are you sure GC is the only option in your area? Most cities have a couple of luthiers...

I'll google and see what I can find.

are those nuts aiming down into the wood, or are they aiming kind of straight?

jamespaul71 wrote:are those nuts aiming down into the wood, or are they aiming kind of straight?

Not very experienced but it looks like they fit in there pretty straight.

I found a shop that is supposed to have a setup man. We'll see tomorrow. What is the average fee for a setup?

For just a nut job, surely no more than $60. And in my experience that would be rather high. Basically you're talking about an hour's work or less, and most guys charge $40 an hour in my experience. Your problem may be solved in 15 minutes in terms of the actual work. Just some basic file work really...

On a new Ric like yours I'd be amazed if the rods were sticking into the wood--it's a common problem with old Rics with the old truss rod design, but not new ones. If they in fact are (although you said they are not) it'd be time to contact RIC Customer Service.

cassius987 wrote: On a new Ric like yours I'd be amazed if the rods were sticking into the wood--it's a common problem with old Rics with the old truss rod design, but not new ones. If they in fact are (although you said they are not) it'd be time to contact RIC Customer Service.

I totally missed that, I thought it was a 4001

I found a potential luthier at a small music store Cadence Music. They say they are certified and stand by their work. I started out with my SX and see how it goes. I think, from what I've been learning here and at TB, it's definitely a good idea to get the basses setup properly. We'll see how it plays out.
Jack

A good setup makes all the world of difference. It is amazing how something like 1/32'' of extra action on the fingerboard, for example, can determine whether a bass plays like a dream or not.

With Rics I think the best setup I've found is a nearly dead straight neck, low action (fairly uniform 1/32'' to 1/16'') that is even across the strings (best achieved with the stock bridge IME), and pickup height set for best tone, not most output.