Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

The new 4003 nuts are slightly wider than the 4001 nuts, and don't really fit well or look good on 4001's. If Ric doesn't have them (and I don't think they do) does anyone know a source?

they are plastic ... just sand a few mm off and use the 4003 ...

if you really want an old 4001 nut ... I have a few old ones around ... but I would reccomend using the new ones ... sometimes the A string pops out of the old nuts when you play hard ...

boy am I glad I didn't say G string in that last sentence ...

Were you in a different line of work before music Jeff?
And are your old ones in decent shape?
I have a wooden nut on one I'd like to replace with a Ric nut.

I've used the new 4003 nuts on all my 3000's and they fit great after a bit of narrowing. The slots are already cut perfectly and the action is even right on, so at three or four bucks apiece, they just can't be beat. They are a little thicker too in some cases so you may have to file the face of it down too.

It's my understanding that brass nuts were never stock on 4001's. Mine has one from the previous owner. I never had a problem with it, but was this just a fad at one point, or does brass nuts serve a better function?

Brass nuts were a popular 70's mod to basses ... it makes the bass a little harsher and brighter ... I prefer the plastic nut ...

The brass nut was my first mod when I had my 79JG. We all did it because of the added sustain on the open notes.

The nut material makes no difference tonally except on the open strings. Once you fret a note, the nut material isn't a factor.

I read some posts and the Rick 4001V63 I bought from the original owner has a bone nut put in it. He did not recommend the brass nut because of some electronic thing going on related to the strings. I don't know where to get the bone nut though.