crunchee Posted November 28, 2007 Posted November 28, 2007 I know that this is a topic more appropriate for the RIC forum, but I'm looking for more independent opinions here-especially since I've heard that RIC is ultra-sensitive about their products. I bought a couple of 4003 basses in the last year or so, and they still have the 'factory' setup-so they seem a bit buzzy at about the first 5 frets. They play fine, but this bothers me a bit, since no other bass that I know of is like that. I've done some research online about how to adjust one (one site says you should adjust the truss rods while the neck is under tension)-opinions and experiences welcome.One thing that gets me about Ricks is that they say if you change the strings to any brand other than their own, it voids the warranty!
Thundernotes Posted November 28, 2007 Posted November 28, 2007 Even their owners manual is a little unclear on the subject. Looks like if it's made after '84 you can do it under tension, before then; no.http://www.rickenbacker.com/pdfs/manual.pdf
Mindseyes Posted November 28, 2007 Posted November 28, 2007 I had a early 90's fireglo that i had no problem's adjusting under tension. Wish i still had that bass, that thing recorded better than any other bass ive put to tape!........oh yea and chicks dig'em too!
Steve Haynie Posted November 28, 2007 Posted November 28, 2007 4001's required adjustment with some pressure on the neck to relieve tension. I know this topic was covered on an older version of this message board. BCRGreg was likely the one who posted that info. Have you asked about your 4003 on the Rickenbacker forum? Surely someone has asked that question before, so you could do a search.
serial Posted November 28, 2007 Posted November 28, 2007 I had a early 90's fireglo that i had no problem's adjusting under tension. Wish i still had that bass, that thing recorded better than any other bass ive put to tape!........oh yea and chicks dig'em too! Great-now I want one!
anotherfreak2 Posted November 28, 2007 Posted November 28, 2007 "Great-now I want one!" The bass right
serial Posted November 28, 2007 Posted November 28, 2007 "Great-now I want one!" The bass right Yeah, whatever
crunchee Posted November 28, 2007 Author Posted November 28, 2007 Thanks for the info-yes, I checked out the manual too, it is a bit vague. My concern isn't so much about how to adjust the neck as it is that they come from the factory with not much relief (Yes, they were both new, and both set up the same, otherwise the necks are fine). I'll give the RIC forum a shot, I hope they don't take offense with how they set up the basses af the factory!
Willie G. Moseley Posted November 28, 2007 Posted November 28, 2007 The difference in the 4001s and 4003s is the truss rod system. The 4001's truss rod system dated from the '50s, and the 4003's truss rod system was specifically designed to accomodate round-wound strings and the tension such strings produce (Forrest White said he was involved with its development during his short tenure at Rickenbacker). That being said, Lemmy once told me (in a comment that didn't end up in print) "I'll go to me grave swearin' the '1s' are better than the '3s'."The necks on 4001s do feel different to me---I've been thru several of 'em, and never had any neck problems. I bought a new 4003 in '88 and it held up fine, too, structurally, but was one of two new Rick instruments that developed finish problems.
crunchee Posted November 29, 2007 Author Posted November 29, 2007 I bought a new 4003 in '88 and it held up fine, too, structurally, but was one of two new Rick instruments that developed finish problems.I'd heard a horror storry about Midnight Blue 4003 finishes 'bleeding' into the white binding-there's a 4003 review on Harmony Central that details this, and supposedly the RIC forum deleted this topic! That's what potentially bothers me about the RIC forum, if it sounds like criticism, it gets 86'ed. Or 1984'ed! Maybe I'm just being paranoid...
cmatthes Posted November 29, 2007 Posted November 29, 2007 I'd heard a horror storry about Midnight Blue 4003 finishes 'bleeding' into the white binding-there's a 4003 review on Harmony Central that details this, and supposedly the RIC forum deleted this topic! That's what potentially bothers me about the RIC forum, if it sounds like criticism, it gets 86'ed. Or 1984'ed! Maybe I'm just being paranoid... There are two 4003s wth that exact issue on EBay right now! One on the fingerboard and one on the top body binding. Looks cheezy... (And that's my preferred color combination for that model too!)
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