My first Ric - 3000!

[RickyBubba]

I finally quit looking and bought my first Ric, a very nice maple glo 3000, with a black pick guard. I know, it is rude to post without pictures, but I'll take some better ones tonight! It was made in May 1976. I'm the third owner. Of course I forgot to bring in the serial number to work so I can register it, but it may be there already if my memory is worth a hoot today.

I found it on Craigslist a state away, but we were going to be on vacation in that area soon, so it would be easy to go have a look. Then hurricane Irene fouled things up and we had to reschedule our trip by nearly a month. Great, I'm hosed again I figured. Turns out the seller was a very nice "old school" guy like myself, and since I was the first to respond to his add he was willing to work with me. The asking price was very reasonable, so I didn't haggle one bit after he sent me some pictures. I sent a reasonable deposit to hold it, and it was a deal.

OK, still a bit nervous doing business like that, but it worked out like a charm. Turns out he had to be on travel the only day we could be in his area, but his wife was very willing to schedule her lunch break around us. Hate to say she was very happy to see it "go" as it was taking up space, but it wasn't easy on the seller to let it part. I can see why, as I would rate it as a very solid 9 out of 10, and very original as far as I can tell. Not an original case, but a nice after market one in brand new condition.

Sadly I didn't get to play it when I bought it, as we were late due to tons of traffic problems, and she really had to get back to work. After seeing it in person I wasn't worried at all, and I had brought along a cheap effects pedal that I could plug in headphones with, and check it out some when we got to the beach later that day.

The strings are almost dead, but it sounds pretty good as is. Now onto a couple of quick questions:

1) What size allen wrench to adjust the saddle height? I thought I had a good selection on hand, but nothing fit last night, and I was tired from driving home. The A and E stings are just a touch higher than the G and D. Should be an easy tweak.

2) The tail of the bridge is up slightly, probably .020". Not enough to worry about, but wonder if that is due to string tension over the years, or the bridge might just be a tad loose. Could have been that way all along?

3) The tuners work opposite to what I would have expected. For example, to tighten the E string, I turn the key toward the bridge, not away. I'm sure all the hardware is original, just not what I expected.

My biggest problem will be finding a decent selection of short scale stings locally. Our few shops around here carry only low end stuff, which is sad.

Look forward to the info!

William

[jdogric12]

Congratulations. Reverse tuners - normal for the era, stock. Look around here and on ebay, some people have NOS Rick short scale nylon tape wound bass strings for sale at reasonable prices sometimes. Welcome!

[partime]

Hey good job aquiring that 3000. Its worth the work, I have a 74 and a 75, I play the maple glo all the time, very easy to play. As far as strings go, use the internet, like juststrings.com or any of the major musical instrument sites. I like roundwounds more than flats, more sustain and brightness. If I were you I would only let an experienced Rick tech ajust the neck and tail, unless you are competent. Amazing to find that on Craigslist. This is a great forum to read about all things Rickenbacker.

[ken_j]

Welcome William.

2) The tail of the bridge is up slightly, probably .020". Not enough to worry about, but wonder if that is due to string tension over the years, or the bridge might just be a tad loose....

Don't try to tighten the tailpiece. If the route under the tail piece is deeper than the bridge you could make it worse. Use the search funtion and you will find some fixes including using washers to eliminate the gap. Some have also straitened theirs but I don't think 0.020" is anything to worry about.

[RicOSoundMan]

Whoa!!! Upon reading this I had to go and make sure my 05-76' 3000 MG was still in its case

Congrats on the find !!!!! I am first owner of mine and hope to be last unless I pass it on to one of my kids.
Nominal Tail lift is normal as most folks here will tell ya. All of mine have it and it doesn't affect tone in the least.

I always had GHS bass boomers on mine but,,,,,,, last string change i did, I put Rotosound 77 Jazz flats on it. I like 'em gives it a nice dark tone. But next change will go back to Elixir's rounds they are my string of choice now.

Well congrats again!!!!

"Here is the long and short of it"

[johnallg]

Welcome, William. Nice bass. I believe this is the allen you're looking for:
http://boutique.rickenbacker.com/WRENCH ... p_560.html

Any 1/16" will do. Also member Tracy Sands is selling NOS Rickenbacker flats short scale. Give him a PM and see if he still has any if you like flats. Great strings, I have a set of the long scale ones.

[RickyBubba]

Didn't have time to take pictures last night, chasing a plumbing problem at home.....NO fun!

Looks just like Andrew's, except mine has the solid black knobs, which I think are correct based on pictures in the registry.

Andrew - I'll PM you with my serial number, would be interesting to see how close they are!

The only truly outstanding beauty mark on the bass is a really nice burl in the back of the neck, about midway up. That is the only picture worth posting.

The bridge height adjustment set screw has the head stripped on the E-string side. It does appear to be backed out all the way, when compared to the length of the set screw on the G-string side. Minor thing, easy to get replaced. So it will take a minor neck adjustment to get things where I would like them.

Don't worry, I know a very good luthier who has worked on Ric basses, so she will take very good care of it! Might be able to get over there next week.

The intonation is very good, which is a plus.

I did strike out with the local shops as far as strings go. I'll see what my luthier has, as I don't mind supporting her unless she is way off base, which I doubt.

I'll likely go with some GHS boomers to get rolling, as I have liked them on other basses.

Do they make the Dean Markley blue steels in short scale by chance?

[johnallg]

William,

http://search.juststrings.com/search/Ca ... ss_strings

[RicOSoundMan]

Years ago (I mean like 20 years) short scale strings were easy to find in guitar shops. Now a days they are definately a special order job that's for sure.