Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

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

bassman75 wrote: Sun Feb 20, 2022 4:38 pm Hello,
I have a 2021 4003s/5 that I got on a trade. ...... I also noticed that the wiring harness had been switched out at some point

Why would an essentially brand new bass already have need for its wiring harness to need replacing?

My thoughts exactly. Not sure what was done to this bass before I got it.

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.

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,

Very obvious, but have you tried new strings? How does it sound acoustic?

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.

You changed the harness before putting on new strings? Dude.

cheyenne wrote: Tue Feb 22, 2022 6:49 am You changed the harness before putting on new strings? Dude.

No, the harness had already been changed out before he bought the bass.

bassman75 wrote: Mon Feb 21, 2022 9:18 pm 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.

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.

Pardon my ignorance but may be it has 1 too many strings. EADG... what does the extra one do ?

Typically, a five-string bass will have a low B "below" the E; BEADG. Some may string them with a high C; EADGC.

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.

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.

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.