4001V63

Setup, repair and restoration of Rickenbacker Instruments

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turlu
Veteran RRF member
Posts: 517
Joined: Sat May 05, 2001 5:00 am

4001V63

Post by turlu »

Hi,

I feel the E string does not sound as clear and also does not have the same punch and sustain as the other strings on my V63. I recently purchased this beautiful instrument.

I have put new roundwound strings (Blue steels)on it and to me I still hear the same problem. It is not major but I would like to get some advice from you on what to check for or even the perfect type of strings to put on or whatever.

Please, let me know,
l.

Post by l. »

I tried a set of blue steels once on my (non Rickenbacker 5-string) and hated them..I had that problem on the low B string. It had no punch or sustain. And belive it or not the A string broke after only a week of playing on them. I would first try new strings. I use GHS super steels and/or GHS boomers light gauge. Roto sound goes good with a Rickenbacker bass too..or ghs progressives. Second maybe check your intonation and possibly have the neck adjusted by a professional. There is my 2 cents worth.
Brian_Murphy

Post by Brian_Murphy »

A couple thoughts I have would involve string saddle height and pickup height. I have had string saddles sitting at a weird angle before (not tracking the fretboard curvature) and that, together with maybe a pickup being set too low beneath the string, would give me that effect. Since the V63 doesn't have individual saddle adjustments for angle (forward and backward only), you may check the bridge height on that end. Are the note tones correct above the 12th fret? If not, maybe,the bridge saddle is sitting either too far back or forward. If none of these work, a last ditch effort might be to use one of those weighted clamps on the headstock to add sustain. I have forgotten the name, but I believe Musician's Friend online sells them. OH.......just occured to me.....the E slot on those nuts is cut for a .105 gauge E string. If you use a larger one, or if your nut slot is too skinny, it could impede vibration of your E string, killing sustain. If it is a squeeze to snap it into the nut slot, that would be a likely cause. Good luck.
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jnbass
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Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2001 7:58 am

Post by jnbass »

those weighted things are made by Groove Tubes, never tried 'em...
Buy it before someone else does
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