Easily Tuning A 4003 Rickenbacker BEAD?

jasper383 · #1 08-04-2011, 10:55 AM

I bought one of the Rickenbacker 4003 basses that are on sale at Musician's Friend. Problem is, the band I have been playing with uses some downtuned bass parts, and I would really like to play the Ric with them.

I know many here have tuned a 4 string BEAD, and it generally just requires a setup and maybe a new nut. Can I get away with not doing that if I use a lighter gauge?

What is the lightest gauge BEAD set I could use successfully on the 4003? Can a set be light enough to play consistently in BEAD tuning, and not require changes at the bridge/nut?

I know the bridge on the 4003 basses is "fussier" than many brands; will I have to file anything? I don't want to have to.

Jay2U · #2 08-04-2011, 11:07 AM

I would have a look at Circle K Strings

Ric5 · #3 08-04-2011, 11:28 AM

If you go BEAD on a 4003 you should do a setup and widen the slots on the nut. If you damage or break the nut replacement nuts are very inexpensive.

Get a 5 string set of strings and simply don't use the G string.

For a low B on a Rick use a string in the range of .115 to .135 ... .125 or .128 would be my choice.

knuckle_head · #4 08-04-2011, 03:32 PM

If your bass is at E and you want to go to B you will need to get nut work done - no getting around that.

Some Ric guys I know of have had pretty good luck with my balanced sets. As it is a shorter scale length they have generally gone a bit heavier than most - .136 to .142 or bigger on bottom.

Ric5 · #5 08-05-2011, 12:09 PM

The heavier B will work ... But I have also used a .115 low B on a Ric with good results.

With a Ric also turn down the bass and turn up the mids to get some cool overtones on the low B.

QweziRider · #6 08-06-2011, 01:20 PM

I just did B-E-A-D to one of those MF sale bases last night and it works fabulous after the usual setup. I used the lower 4 of a six string set I had laying around, the B being .130. I did have to ever so slightly widen the slots and everything is perfect.

RickenBoogie · #7 08-06-2011, 03:11 PM

A .125 B string should do well, but the nut will need a bit of widening. The tension will likely be less than standard string gauges, so a set up will be neccessary as well. My 4004Cii is tuned D standard, (DGCF), and sounds thunderous. D is a good alternative to B.

knuckle_head · #8 08-06-2011, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

My 4004Cii is tuned D standard, (DGCF), and sounds thunderous. D is a good alternative to B.

What gauge do you use for that?