Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Recently I was lucky enough to acquire a 4002.

Changed the strings to a Ric set and the neck bowed back. Whipped off the TRC and fund two slightly bent and abused truss rod tips/nuts; no room for the wrench behind them.

I also understand the adjustment process is different to that for your average 4003 and that some "snucking up" is needed (??)

Anyone know someone in the UK who might know how to get this right instead of going at it with a socket set? It's outside my comfort and skill levels, for sure.

To add relief, it's *exactly* like any other bass. Turn the nuts CCW.

To remove relief, in addition to turning the nuts CW, you manually push the neck to the desired straightness while making the adjustment. You do the work, the truss rods stabilize the neck in the position you move it to.

Phillip - If it's too tight to get a std adjustment tool in there, you could try grinding down a Rick one as PW demo's here - viewtopic.php?f=14&t=391537&p=577356&hi ... ol#p577356

Spongebob has recommended a good set-up man in this post viewtopic.php?f=2&t=396684&p=640288&hil ... ed#p640288 and it's not far from you too

Congrats on the 4002 score.

Cheers.

Modern Ric strings (.045) exert too much tension for a 4002 neck. All pre-'85 Ric necks were designed for low tension strings. Use .040 sets only.

If you like roundwounds, you might want to try Thomastik Infeld Jazz Rounds (TI JR344), they are the lowest tension bass strings.

ummm...I think pics are in order

Thanks chaps.

Ilan, I note your comment about string tension - interestingly, the previous set of strings seems to have drawn even more tension than a Ric set, as the neck had slight relief then but not post the re-string.Might explain why the rods appear to have been so heavily tightened and why the neck is now back-bowed. A bit worried this could turn out to be a major issue.

Pics to follow as and when I get the neck back to something approaching playability.

It doesn't sound like your neck will have a major issue once you get the rod ends sorted out so you can adjust the nuts. It'll probably come right once you can loosen them. I don't find the Ric strings to have high tension at all. The thinner than normal A and D strings compensate for the thicker .105 and .45 E and G. I used to have string tension issues on my 1975 4001 until I took the rods out and straightened the bent ends and cleaned up the threads. Now they work well and I'm fine with most 'medium' tension strings. Good luck anyway. I can understand the anxiety when dealing with such a special and rare Ric.

ilan wrote:Modern Ric strings (.045) exert too much tension for a 4002 neck. All pre-'85 Ric necks were designed for low tension strings. Use .040 sets only.

I don't buy that--Scott's 4002 has 45-60-80-107 GHS Progressives and plays great.

Realize that 4002 has the old style rods in it and they do not MOVE the neck, but you loosen the nuts, move the neck and hold, then tighten the nuts enough to hold it in place. They only HOLD the neck, not move it.

Joshua, some pre-85 Rics can handle higher tension strings, others can't. It's wood, not exact science. Still, I wouldn't risk it. Those Rics came from the factory with low tension Maxima flatwounds, and a warranty that was void if you used any other brand. This way RIC wanted to make sure that you don't damage the neck by using higher tension strings. John Hall once posted that the closest strings today to the old Maximas are Thomastik Infeld Jazz Flats. They are very low tension. Jazz Rounds are about the same tension if you like roundwounds.

Get your rods / TR nuts straightened out and slap some TI Jazz rounds on her.

godber wrote:Phillip - If it's too tight to get a std adjustment tool in there, you could try grinding down a Rick one as PW demo's here - viewtopic.php?f=14&t=391537&p=577356&hi ... ol#p577356

Spongebob has recommended a good set-up man in this post viewtopic.php?f=2&t=396684&p=640288&hil ... ed#p640288 and it's not far from you too

Congrats on the 4002 score.

Cheers.

I can't reccomend Martin highly enough - he's a total whizz and has worked on guitars and basses for all the top names - he's worked on both my 4003's, and I wouldn't hesitate to return to him and his excellent team.

Phil, was this 4002 with the Rush connection?

Thanks everyone. Awaiting delivery of the appropriate wrench and will see if that can loosen the nuts, failing that Martin will get the call.

Yes, Wints, it's that one.

philipharris wrote:Thanks everyone. Awaiting delivery of the appropriate wrench and will see if that can loosen the nuts, failing that Martin will get the call.

Yes, Wints, it's that one.

Slacken the strings a bit, use a wide clamp on the fretboard (protect the fretboard and back of the neck!!) right by the nut and use a flat screwdriver to try and pry the nuts/rods up from the neck wood. When you can get a nut driver on, loosen the nuts on both rods and then pull them out enough to get the nuts off and the aluminum block (note it's orientation) off also, then pull the rods out one at a time. You can then straighten the rods. Reinstall is the reverse of the above.

Use this site to learn and follow along: http://www.joeysbassnotes.com/Rick%20maint.htm

This should help also: http://www.tseint.com/4001project/index.html