Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I bought this bass at the Milwaukee Confluence, in fact it is the bass on pages 82-83 if Paul Boyer's book. Tonight I put on a set of Rotosound Round Wounds, and the G, D, and A strings sound awesome, but the E-String is dead. I could barely get a harmonic on the fifth fret. I am using RS 66LD's 45, 65, 80, and 105. What can cause one string to sound like it is a flat wound where as the other ring like a true Rickenbacker. I don't get it and it is very frustrating. What should I do? The action is perfect on this bass, I hate to change anything, but I don't want to live with the E-Sting the way it is now. I have read through the forums with no specific direction discovered. Is this inherent in Rickenbackers or did I just have dumb luck? I want the E-String to ring like the others. What a bummer

I am by no means an expert on Rics like many here are, but my new 4003 a few years ago had a dead E out of the case. I did some research and discovered that it wasn't that uncommon. I tried tweaking the set up myself, changed strings, all to no avail.
I then took it to 2 luthiers who said they could fix it but they couldn't. Then I met Petersland on another forum (he's here too) and he offered to look at it for me. He lives about 2 hours away and I dropped it off. BINGO! He's the man. Mine is even and alive across all four strings now.
Did you have a dead E with the original strings? if so, then I guess it's either the strings or the set up changed during the string change.

The original E was pretty bassey when I played it prior to purchase, i believe it was probably somewhat dead as well. Do you know what you Petersland did to get it even across all of the strings. That would be awesome and solve my problem. I don't think I am asking too much? Am I?

Suggestions in order of testing:

3. Make sure string lays untwisted nut to bridge.
2. Tweak the E side truss nut about 1/8 turn or less.
1. Dead string. Rotos have this problem once in a while.

Roberthathaway wrote:The original E was pretty bassey when I played it prior to purchase, i believe it was probably somewhat dead as well. Do you know what you Petersland did to get it even across all of the strings. That would be awesome and solve my problem. I don't think I am asking too much? Am I?

I suggest shooting him a PM. He's a cool guy and always keen to help.
^ The suggestions above also sound like wisdom.

Thanks Terry for the kind words but I am in no way an expert, just an enthusiast.

Robert, I concur with John.
I'm my opinion, string twist and truss adjustment have an affect. Believe it or not, I had a similar issue with a Greco.
I used to draw the string all the way through the bridge and then wind onto the peg, not realising I was creating twist. I now do it the slow and boring way by winding the entire string using the peg.

Another choice is to slightly angle the pups, higher to the E.
Terry's Bass had hi gains with adjustable pole pieces which also helped.
Yours has a toaster and I'm really not sure if the horseshoe as adjustable poles?

Sorry I couldn't be of any further help but your Bass is beautiful.

For what its worth, this is why I quit using Roto's for back in the '80's. I'd try different strings first.

Or, take the treble pickup and rotate it 180 degrees, re-install it, and see if you still have the problem. sounds crazy, but I've done it on a few Ricks and solved this problem.

While I still use Rotos because I like these despite their flaws, it is quite frequent that you will get a set with a dead E straight out of the pack.

As previously suggested, try turning the rods a bit. It may change the dead spots.

Most of the time you will be able to fix the issue.

cheyenne wrote:For what its worth, this is why I quit using Roto's for back in the '80's. I'd try different strings first.

Or, take the treble pickup and rotate it 180 degrees, re-install it, and see if you still have the problem. sounds crazy, but I've done it on a few Ricks and solved this problem.

+1

I've stopped using Rotos due to quality control issues -the last three sets I've bought have had dead spots in one string or another. I've recently had my V63 professionally set up and problems remain, so it's back to Elixirs for me.

Ash

petersland wrote:Thanks Terry for the kind words but I am in no way an expert, just an enthusiast.

Humble words Pete, but I took mine to 2 really high profile luthiers here in WA, and they were both flummoxed, despite insisting they knew the exact fix.

Swap those strings with DR ones, and your bass will be back to life

What DR strings are you referring?

My favourite are the Hi-Beams, but if you prefer stiffer strings you can try the Lo-riders.

DR's are great,i have a set of Fatbeams on my 4000,and have also used Sunbeams on my Cii. (I prefer roundcore strings) Circle K strings are also wonderful,but are a bit smoother sounding than roto's. I haven't used rotosounds in years,and just took a brand new set of rotosound tapewounds off a Carvin bass i just got,replacing them with Labella white tapes,HUGE improvement imo.

Roberthathaway wrote:What can cause one string to sound like it is a flat wound where as the other ring like a true Rickenbacker.

A lot of factors. The string itself can be detaching from its own core (more common with Rotos and with bigger gauges), or even more commonly the string won't be properly seated on the bridge saddle or nut. The slot itself may be less than ideal and/or the break angle on either end could be too shallow. Then there's other factors like neck relief and action as well as if the string is too close to the pickup, particularly the neck pickup.

Personally I'd ditch the Rotos ASAP but if you insist on keeping them see if they'll send you a replacement string, and if that's still a dud try to suss out the other issues I mentioned.