Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hello everyone, this is my first post.
I have a 99 4001v63 and have recently put on Pyramid flats.(Love the strings BTW)
I noticed my action has raised a bit. Also my bridge adjustment is bottomed out.Can't go any lower.
What can I do to lower the action?
I have also noticed my intonation screws are located sideways in the bridge, I need to set the intonation but can't do it without scratching the bridge. Are there any tricks to doing that?

It sounds like you need to check the truss rods.

To do this press the E string down at the first fret ...

Now while you are doing this press the E string down at the last fret .Do BOTH at the same time .

Now look at the 12th fret and see if there is a gap between the bottom of the string anf the top of the fret.

You need to only have a gap of more than .010 to make the action as low as possible.

If you have more than .025 ...this will be easy to see ....then you need to tighten the rods .

Tighten them with equal pressure.

Get bak to me with the results please .

Mark,
Would you have the various factory specs for setting up the bass?
I.E. String height/pickup height Etc.
I should check things out first before I make any adjustments.
Thanks for the help.
Tom

Factory specs are there as a way of standardizing a way to say ..."These are okay and can now leave the factory"

Many customers,Pro and amateur alike want 'Better than' factory spec.

Rather than post the measurements here,I will start a new posting so that Everyone will be able to find this.It would be easier to find it that way.

TOM:

As far scratching the bridge to adjust the saddles: I know what you mean. It's a peculiar arrangement. I lay a couple strips of tape (masking, scotch, doesn't really matter) across the tailpiece, and use a thin shafted screwdriver to adjust these saddles. One additional thing you can do (short of removing the bridge from the tailpiece to make the adjustment, which gets way too iterative!) is to loosen your strings down to where you can lean the bridge (the part with the saddles) forward, toward the neck. This gives better access to the screws. Still, though, lay the tape down first. GOOD LUCK... Ricks CAN be adjusted to near perfect (perfect to the ear, and quite close on the tuner) intonation with a little patience. They're really hard to beat when they are set up perfectly.

Brian,
Thanks for the tip. I makes sense. I love the Rick, it's just a little hard to get it to play the way I want.
You guys are great and I appreciate all your help.
Best Regards,
Tom