Rickenbacker Neck Repair Question

[FourStringPop]

Hey guys,

I have a question. I bought a fireglo Rickenbacker 1993 4003 bass guitar about a year ago (used of course). I took it to my guitar guy who set it up, and told me that it had a warp in the neck-- so he adjusted it.

He told me that Rics are high maintenance guitar and I would have to bring it back every few months for adjustments to manage the warp. I do believe him, he has a good rep, and he's very good at his job. But my question is, instead of adjusting the neck every so often, is there a way to fix this problem permanently?

It's a real nice bass guitar, but if the neck would stay in check, it would be even better. If someone could provide some suggestions, that would be great. Thanks.

[Ric5]

Originally Posted by FourStringPop

Hey guys,

I have a question. I bought a fireglo Rickenbacker 1993 4003 bass guitar about a year ago (used of course). I took it to my guitar guy who set it up, and told me that it had a warp in the neck-- so he adjusted it.

He told me that Rics are high maintenance guitar and I would have to bring it back every few months for adjustments to manage the warp. I do believe him, he has a good rep, and he's very good at his job. But my question is, instead of adjusting the neck every so often, is there a way to fix this problem permanently?

It's a real nice bass guitar, but if the neck would stay in check, it would be even better. If someone could provide some suggestions, that would be great. Thanks.

Adjusting the neck on a 4003 is so easy that a cave man can do it.

Rics are high maintenance? It sounds like he just doesn't like Rics.

[john grey]

I have owned a 4001 and the one area that I thought a great deal of quality had been invested was the neck. Once that thing was set: it was set in stone. Obviously there are differences in string height depending upon design (flat-wounds generally sit a bit lower and so on). This also affects neck tension. The Ric neck was so well made that the offset maintained itself through different string sets if the size element was maintained and that's good neck. Most every "wood issue" on a Ric is very high quality. I did not find it to be a "high maintenance" (read "need for adjustment") guitar by any stretch of the imagination!

Necks actually warping have contributing factors. Vast changes in temperature & humidity, uneven pressure distribution (leaning the thing upside down against a wall at an angle) or leaving less than a whole set of strings on for long periods of time. Outside of those issues....for a neck to warp the thing would have to be made very inappropriately (cheap, super poor quality) as it has been an observable fact that moderate priced instruments have maintained straight necks for decades just laying flay in a gig-bag laying in a dry closet. A Ric is NOT a cheap or poorly made instrument by any stretch of the imagination.

One of the biggest reason why a musical instrument gets messed up is the constant "tinkering" with it by owners. Don't let anyone attempt to "fix" problems that don't exist. If guitars were treated like standard Pianos, they would last a lifetime. A person owns a Piano and LEAVES IT ALONE; working on it to tune it or change string occasionally, etc.