Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I have some down time (and plenty of other basses), so I think it's time my 21 year old 4003S went in for a re-fret. They're pretty deeply grooved for the most part. Anybody know anyone trustworthy in Chicago that knows how to properly work on a Ric?

Third Coast Guitar Repair:

http://www.thirdcoastguitar.com/

They did an outstanding job on your former 1992 V63, including a poly refin on the fretboard. Looks and plays like brand new.

Stop by and check it out sometime if you want.

Thanks Jeff, I've heard nothing but good things about those guys. I think I'm gonna go for it!

You had the V63 re-fretted? I don't remember the frets being bad, but I didn't have that bass for very long.

gearhed289 wrote:Thanks Jeff, I've heard nothing but good things about those guys. I think I'm gonna go for it!

You had the V63 re-fretted? I don't remember the frets being bad, but I didn't have that bass for very long.

The frets were fine but the fretboard wasn't level. All notes above the 12th fret would fret out at the 20th. I noticed when I tried it out at your house that the fretboard wasn't quite right, but I originally bought the bass planning to refin it to Sea Green, so I didn't care. But I ultimately decided that I'd rather keep the original Fireglo finish--and I couldn't get the neck right with the strings I like--so I had 3rd Coast level the fretboard, install Jumbo frets (like on my favorite late 80's 4003's) and put a black nut on it. They followed my instructions to a T, and the bass is sweet now.

Very interesting..... I DID think the area around the 3-5 frets on the G string felt somehow not right. I rarely play there, typically going up the neck to grab those notes on the D string, so I didn't think much of it. I'm kinda glad you kept it FG and that it RAWKS for you now! Did you put rounds on there?

gearhed289 wrote:Very interesting..... I DID think the area around the 3-5 frets on the G string felt somehow not right. I rarely play there, typically going up the neck to grab those notes on the D string, so I didn't think much of it. I'm kinda glad you kept it FG and that it RAWKS for you now! Did you put rounds on there?

Yep. Elixers. And it currently has a 1989 hi gain in the bridge as well. Me likey!

That's crazy! I had a 89 high gain in place of the horseshoe, along with the scatterwound toaster. With the TI flats I had on there I got a nice Wings tone with that setup.