Dead E string on Rickenbacker 4003

[FunkHead]

Read a lot of replies and glad that many reported being able to work out “dull” E string issues, etc., through other adjustments.
However, my issues with Rotos have to do with the strings (more than just the E string) being “thudders” repeatedly out of the package regardless.
Add to that, they chewed up the frets on my previous ‘74 and ‘75 Rics big-time.

IME Rotosounds do most fret consumption in the first few hours after installing them. Unfortunately, for some people, that is how long they sound good. Then another new set gets installed and more fret wear happens. This is repeated many many times over and over again.
Other people keep Rotosounds on for a very long time and enjoy the “dead” sound they can get.
Again this is just my experience and it explains why some people deny the very real fret eating phenomenon.

 

[sunbeast]

IME Rotosounds do most fret consumption in the first few hours after installing them. Unfortunately, for some people, that is how long they sound good. Then another new set gets installed and more fret wear happens. This is repeated many many times over and over again.
Other people keep Rotosounds on for a very long time and enjoy the “dead” sound they can get.
Again this is just my experience and it explains why some people deny the very real fret eating phenomenon.

I think it is a combo of different factors, like different fret materials and different fretting hands too. I don’t play guitar nearly as much as bass, but the amount of pressure I use when I chord (bass player-itis) has put lots of wear on the frets of my guitars under the unwound strings on every guitar I’ve owned. Similarly some bassists also play with a much heavier grip than others- the frets on my first bass (an MIM Fender Jazz) were totally decimated when I retired it after 5 years or so, and I was usually just using whatever cheapest rounds (often nickel) I could find on that bass. I have used Roto steels on basses in recent years without much wear at all.

 

[mark roberts]

Explains why replacing sets every month after 4 weeks of weekend warrior gigs ate my frets.

 

[pbayneg]

Dull E strings on a Ric is a truss rod issue.
I've had it a few times. A quick tweak of the truss rod usually sorts it out.....

I'm actually really glad to hear this, I've bought a RIC truss rod adjustment wrench (yeah, I know I could get any wrench that fits, but I figured I'll be adjusting truss rods for multiple RICs at some point in time) and will try messing with it once it comes in. I'll get back once I've messed with it a bit

 

[pbayneg]

Read a lot of replies and glad that many reported being able to work out “dull” E string issues, etc., through other adjustments.
However, my issues with Rotos have to do with the strings (more than just the E string) being “thudders” repeatedly out of the package regardless.
Add to that, they chewed up the frets on my previous ‘74 and ‘75 Rics big-time.

I've had several RICs each strung with Rotos and have gone through several packs and have never personally had issues with them (either strings or frets) but wouldn't doubt if others have had issues

 

[Rnr..........4]

Any update on what it was? I bought a 2021 Rickenbacker back in March and have the same issue. A very dull sounding E string. I have yet to change the strings and adjust everything but thinking maybe I should just sell it and buy another?

If it's the nut or a pickup issue.. I'm not too happy as I paid for it brand new.

 

[Chadwick Salls]

I had this problem with a 70s 4000, a newer 4003 AND newer 4003s at my local vintage shop! I love the A, D and G string on the 4000 but I was hoping it was a bad flatwound on the E...