4003s/5 has dull tone.
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4003s/5 has dull tone.
Hello,
I have a 2021 4003s/5 that I got on a trade. When I got the bass home and started playing it I noticed the tone was very dull but the B string is the worst. I also noticed that the wiring harness had been switched out at some point. I did replace the harness with a new Ric harness but can't seem to figure out what is going on with the tone. The neck looks straight. Is it possible that it is too straight or too tight causing a tonal issue?
Thanks,
Jeremy
I have a 2021 4003s/5 that I got on a trade. When I got the bass home and started playing it I noticed the tone was very dull but the B string is the worst. I also noticed that the wiring harness had been switched out at some point. I did replace the harness with a new Ric harness but can't seem to figure out what is going on with the tone. The neck looks straight. Is it possible that it is too straight or too tight causing a tonal issue?
Thanks,
Jeremy
Re: 4003s/5 has dull tone.
My thoughts exactly. Not sure what was done to this bass before I got it.
- bassduke49
- Senior Member
- Posts: 6553
- Joined: Wed May 14, 2003 5:00 am
Re: 4003s/5 has dull tone.
Does the new S5 have the "vintage tone" push-pull feature on the treble-pickup tone knob? Also, have you tried dialing down either of the pickups' tone or volume knobs a bit? Just thinking of all the possible adjustments.
Author: "The Rickenbacker Electric Bass - 50 Years As Rock's Bottom"
Re: 4003s/5 has dull tone.
Try checking the pickups with a multimeter to see if they have similar output. I don't know what the pizza-pie pickups have by way of stated output, but maybe someone here knows. I'm thinking if the harness was replaced near to new, then you replaced it again and the problem remains, one or both of the pickups could be shorting or fried or the magnets are cactus. It's easy enough to check without removing parts.
I have an instrument cable with small alligator clips at one end that I've used for testing pickups in situ, whilst bypassing the controls. That's another idea and not too hard to make.
Cheers,
I have an instrument cable with small alligator clips at one end that I've used for testing pickups in situ, whilst bypassing the controls. That's another idea and not too hard to make.
Cheers,
Andrew
1989 620/12,
2003 4003
1986 330
1991 381 V69
1998 650 Dakota
Plus various Squiers and stuff
1989 620/12,
2003 4003
1986 330
1991 381 V69
1998 650 Dakota
Plus various Squiers and stuff
Re: 4003s/5 has dull tone.
Very obvious, but have you tried new strings? How does it sound acoustic?
68 4001|73 4001 MG|75 4000 MG|79 4001 JG FL|81 4001S AZG|86 4003 MID/BT|86 4003 Shadow|88 4003s Blackstar|89 4003 Grey/BT FL|93 4004 Ci|96 4003S/8 FG|98 4003S/5 JG|05 650D|05 4004Cii/5 TG|08 660/12 JG|18 4003S/5 MID|19 4003S/5 WAL ||TR35B|RB 30||
Re: 4003s/5 has dull tone.
I am going to replace the stings and have a setup done. I don't know what happened to the original harness but it was changed before I got it.
Re: 4003s/5 has dull tone.
You changed the harness before putting on new strings? Dude.
"Knowledge is Power"
Re: 4003s/5 has dull tone.
The original strings on mine sounded quite bad (I bought it new). Especially the B. I soon changed to d'addario and am happy with the sound ever since.
68 4001|73 4001 MG|75 4000 MG|79 4001 JG FL|81 4001S AZG|86 4003 MID/BT|86 4003 Shadow|88 4003s Blackstar|89 4003 Grey/BT FL|93 4004 Ci|96 4003S/8 FG|98 4003S/5 JG|05 650D|05 4004Cii/5 TG|08 660/12 JG|18 4003S/5 MID|19 4003S/5 WAL ||TR35B|RB 30||
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- New member
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Re: 4003s/5 has dull tone.
Pardon my ignorance but may be it has 1 too many strings. EADG... what does the extra one do ?
- bassduke49
- Senior Member
- Posts: 6553
- Joined: Wed May 14, 2003 5:00 am
Re: 4003s/5 has dull tone.
Typically, a five-string bass will have a low B "below" the E; BEADG. Some may string them with a high C; EADGC.
Author: "The Rickenbacker Electric Bass - 50 Years As Rock's Bottom"
- cassius987
- Senior Member
- Posts: 4708
- Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2008 2:11 pm
Re: 4003s/5 has dull tone.
I have Sunbeams on my 4003S/5 and I think it sounds very bright and clangy, B string included. I have done nothing to the bass save adjust the neck to set the relief how I like it (pretty close to flat). May be worth a shot?
In my experience, you have to address relief, action, pickup height, and ultimate strings before worrying about the potential for any deeper issues messing with the tone. Though the fact that someone fiddled with the electronics does raise suspicion.
In my experience, you have to address relief, action, pickup height, and ultimate strings before worrying about the potential for any deeper issues messing with the tone. Though the fact that someone fiddled with the electronics does raise suspicion.
Re: 4003s/5 has dull tone.
Replaced the string and had the neck adjusted. Much better. I ended up with Ernie Ball Regular Slinky but I used a 125 for the B. I am going to order La Bella 40-118 the next time around.
Re: 4003s/5 has dull tone.
If the strings are binding at the nut, it could be the strings on it now are larger than the original setup.
Sure fire way to deaden strings, especially the big ones.
Sure fire way to deaden strings, especially the big ones.