Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hey all,

I've got a 1984 4003, which is a transition model as far as I can tell. It's got mostly 4001 parts, but with a 4003 PG and truss rod placement (still old rods, too). It's also got the wavy Grover tuners, but it seems they're starting to go on me. The D tuner is sufficiently loose that it rattles rather annoyingly when I play certain notes. Not at all an issue once plugged in, but still a pain. As well, the actual tuning key (not the gear-box-thing) on the E string has become what I assume is dangerously loose. It holds tuning just fine, but the key wiggles a bit when the string is tuned to pitch. When the string is off, I fear to touch it too much because it seems like it could fall out at any time. I should also specify that both tuners are screwed snugly into the headstock, none of the movement is from that

Are these issues something that could be easily resolved? My first inclination is to replace them altogether to avoid any trouble down the road if the repair I do isn't good enough. Which leads me to what was the original point of me posting; what tuners would be a satisfactory replacement for mine? I've heard there are at least Hipshot, Schaller, and Gotoh, but are any of them a direct replacement?

Any info would be definitely much appreciated!

You could always take it off the bass and re-stake the pins holding it together. It would be good for many years to come.

johnallg wrote:You could always take it off the bass and re-stake the pins holding it together. It would be good for many years to come.

+1! I had a forumite do the screw job on it.

Check your PMs!

Are the "ears" rattling in the shaft, or are the shafts (and ears) rattling within the rectangular housing?

I had a bad egg on a '72 where the ear was rattling in the shaft slot, but the tuner itself was functioning fine. My only solution there, having tried crimping of the shaft connection, was to replace the tuner. On the other hand, if the whole shaft and ear is rattling, re-swaging might be a viable option.

FretlessOnly wrote:Are the "ears" rattling in the shaft, or are the shafts (and ears) rattling within the rectangular housing?

I had a bad egg on a '72 where the ear was rattling in the shaft slot, but the tuner itself was functioning fine. My only solution there, having tried crimping of the shaft connection, was to replace the tuner. On the other hand, if the whole shaft and ear is rattling, re-swaging might be a viable option.

It's the whole shaft that's wobbling/rattling, not the ear itself. So it does sound like the re-stake suggested by Johnallg should be an option. Only problem is, I have no idea how to do it. I've done a bit of quick searching, and haven't found anything that really tells me how to actually perform the operation.

Search exploding Grovers or exploding Grover.