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Rickenbacker 4003 and TI flats: impossible to intonate?

K

KoalaBass

Aug 12, 2011
242
80
#1
Hi, I decided to try TIs on my rick since I like those and it seems to be a very popular combo but they won't intonate properly, mostly the A string. The intonation saddle is as close as it can get to the mutes but the note at the 12th fret is still flat. Same issue with the E string but not as pronounced. (Had it set up by a luthier btw).
Did anyone have the same problem?
Might be a bad set of strings... or more of a structural problem?
I put back a set of D'addario nylon tapewounds which intonate fine without having to adjust anything (except slightly lowering the action). Might try the 40-95 chromes set at some point but I'm staying with the nylons for now because I can't afford another ri$ky pricy set up these days.

Thoughts?
 
#7
KoalaBass said:
yes, he told me he did what he could with it and that there wasnt any room left for the saddle. I also tried myself afterwards and couldn’t do better. Maybe I have a defective bridge?
Click to expand...
You can flip the Saddles around 180 degrees and get more adjustment(At least on Older RIC Bridges).
Edit: sorry for delayed reply, I'm hanging a storm door.
 
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#10
TI flats should intonate perfectly on a Rick 4003 without any problems. Unless someone has moved the entire bridge there must be a problem with the strings.

Are you aware that these are round core strings and need to be bent/crimped before cutting? Failing to do so can cause the windings to come loose, sometimes just very slighty and not really noticable except for all the problems it can cause such as problems with intonation or weird metallic sounding overtones. I've also experienced this when removing TI flats from the bass and re-installing them. TI flats are amazing sounding strings (my personal favourites) but they need to be handled carefully or they can most definitely go bad.

The bridges on Ricks are very poorly designed but I don't think the bridge can be blamed this time.
 
Last edited:
#11
TI 4001.jpg Exhibit A - a '74 4001 with TI flats - note how staggered the saddles are for the "e" and "a" strings to achieve correct intonation. BTW apologies - having weird issues with attaching pics....
 

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#13
maybe your action is whacked - if different strings have largely different string heights, it may add more tension when you fret - I have found the TI flats way more even for intonation than a number of other strings I've used (boomers round and hex core, dr pure blues, dean Markley's, La Bella black nylon and daddario flats) not on rick's mind you but end of the day - its just tension, mass and distance.
 
#17
KoalaBass said:
Hi, I decided to try TIs on my rick since I like those and it seems to be a very popular combo but they won't intonate properly, mostly the A string. The intonation saddle is as close as it can get to the mutes but the note at the 12th fret is still flat. Same issue with the E string but not as pronounced. (Had it set up by a luthier btw).
Did anyone have the same problem?
Might be a bad set of strings... or more of a structural problem?
I put back a set of D'addario nylon tapewounds which intonate fine without having to adjust anything (except slightly lowering the action). Might try the 40-95 chromes set at some point but I'm staying with the nylons for now because I can't afford another ri$ky pricy set up these days.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

ya the lame bridge / saddle / tailpiece design has limitations ... lots of limitations ... but the fix is simple ... take the assembly apart and grind off some metal with a dremel tool to allow a greater travel distance. I have done this mod for dozens of Ric basses ... mostly 5 string basses to get the B saddle back far enough to not be sharp.

or better yet try flattening out the neck a little more and that might fix it.

Also make sure the bridge is not tilted when it sits in the tailpiece.

The best solution is replace the bridge with a better design
 
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#18
KoalaBass said:
Hi, I decided to try TIs on my rick since I like those and it seems to be a very popular combo but they won't intonate properly, mostly the A string. The intonation saddle is as close as it can get to the mutes but the note at the 12th fret is still flat. Same issue with the E string but not as pronounced. (Had it set up by a luthier btw).
Did anyone have the same problem?
Might be a bad set of strings... or more of a structural problem?
I put back a set of D'addario nylon tapewounds which intonate fine without having to adjust anything (except slightly lowering the action). Might try the 40-95 chromes set at some point but I'm staying with the nylons for now because I can't afford another ri$ky pricy set up these days.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

your luthier is probably just a bass tech and may not know how to setup Ricks
 
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