Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I had both my 4003's set-up earlier this year, about 8 months ago.

The 2010 has stayed as it was set, no problems there.

My 2009 I think has changed - A and D strings are now vibrating off the pickup cover.

I assume the neck needs another tweak to sort this out? It has got gradually worse.

I'm just quite surprised that it needs to be altered again so soon....I live in the South East of England, not exactly know for particularly hot summers or cold winters!

Obviously it has to be seen to, but just seemed a little abnormal for over here?

Check your relief: Finger the low F on your E string, then use your right thumb (assuming you play right-handed) to finger the highest fret on the E string. Rotate your right wrist to extend your right pinky back toward your left hand (I can reach to about C#). Depress the string at this point and you should have just enough relief to slide a piece of paper between the fret and the string. Compare this with same on your 2010, which seems to be set to your liking.

Since you have a 4003 and not a 4001, 4002 or 4005, you can just gently adjust the rods 1/8 to 1/4 turn to the right as you sight down the neck from the headstock. Use a straight 1/4" nut driver to do so.

Check the relief on both the E and G strings to see if you need to adjust both rods equally.

Iain...Since the only thing you mentioned about your setup going bad is that the A and D strings are hitting the pickup cover, I have to wonder if the cover (and pickup) has shifted. It may be improperly installed and shifted under the weight of your hand, or the height adjustment screws may have somehow rotated and brought the pickup down.

So if the neck looks good using John's method (above), maybe check that?

FretlessOnly wrote:Check your relief: Finger the low F on your E string, then use your right thumb (assuming you play right-handed) to finger the highest fret on the E string. Rotate your right wrist to extend your right pinky back toward your left hand (I can reach to about C#). Depress the string at this point and you should have just enough relief to slide a piece of paper between the fret and the string. Compare this with same on your 2010, which seems to be set to your liking.

This is a much better diagnostic than the pickup cover thing.

Don't know what month your 2009 was made but if it's not a two-piece neck it won't be as stable in some ways. Although if it's a thick neck like mine was before it was replaced, it might be hard to adjust one way or the other.

Eight months is actually pretty normal for a setup to change a little, although Rics tend to hold out longer than most basses. My 4001FL has not needed a setup since buying it earlier this year (neck/bridge wise), and my 2010 4003 has only needed one.