Dull low E on new Rickenbacker

[J Wilson]

Just got a new Rickenbacker 4003S (well technically an "open box" deal with a practically invisible tiny spot of "discoloration") and in general I'm LOVING it, however the low E sounds noticeably duller/deader to me. My gut says that it's probably just the strings themselves, but I also don't want to change them just yet until I know it's not a problem with the bass itself while I'm still in the return/warranty period.

Is there any chance this could be any kind of "defect" y'all have ever heard of, or most likely simply a deader string as I suspect?

Now of course the choice of WHICH strings to use if I do replace them is another rabbit hole altogether! I've spent HOURS reading posts here and elsewhere. Very intrigued by the fable TI Jazz Flats, but also am a little afraid to limit myself with flats since I've always been a rounds player until I got my Hofner for a Beatles band.

The only other slight bummer is that the mute does not touch the Low E at all even when fully raised and muting the HELL out of the A and D, BUT I don't see myself ever using the mute as it's far too much of a pain to raise and lower to be useful in a gig situation. So instead I ordered a "Mute Noodle" just to play with for fun in case I want those muted tones.

Old strings will always show themselves.

I would do absolutely nothing to this bass until you string it with a brand new set of your normal preference, THEN see where you're at.

I've seen guys on TB dismantle perfectly good instruments, not find anything except aggravation, then once they're finally back together, new strings fixed the problem immediately.

 

[Packard Goose]

Interesting! I picked up a 4003 just before Xmas and had dead "G" and chorus-y "A" issues. Had to swap out a few strings to get a set that worked.

Don't want to hijack the thread but while we're at it, has anyone else experienced a complete lack of 5th fret harmonics when soloing the neck pickup?

BBB

I asked about harmonics in another Rick thread a while back, and it was explained that the neck pickup is the same distance from the bridge as the 5th fret is from the nut, so that harmonic will never be picked up by the neck pickup due to its location.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

I asked about harmonics in another Rick thread a while back, and it was explained that the neck pickup is the same distance from the bridge as the 5th fret is from the nut, so that harmonic will never be picked up by the neck pickup due to its location.

Thanks! It does, however, pick up some other, typically more subdued harmonics very well!

BBB

 

[lowendblues]

Check the nut slot.

Ricks come from the factory with very high nut slots to allow the customer to file them to desired height. Could be pinching the string.

 

[Panych]

Witness point…

 

[Jeff Scott]

Just got a new Rickenbacker 4003S (well technically an "open box" deal with a practically invisible tiny spot of "discoloration") and in general I'm LOVING it, however the low E sounds noticeably duller/deader to me. My gut says that it's probably just the strings themselves, but I also don't want to change them just yet until I know it's not a problem with the bass itself while I'm still in the return/warranty period.

Is there any chance this could be any kind of "defect" y'all have ever heard of, or most likely simply a deader string as I suspect?

As you have a new 4003S the pole pieces on the pickups are adjustable (does yours have hex bolt pole pieces?). They are quite stiff to turn, but they will (they won't break). Besides the possibility of a dead E string, try raising the E pole pieces (you don't say whether this issue is with one or both of the pickups). I had to do so on the May '08 4003 I had years ago and that made a big difference.

Now of course the choice of WHICH strings to use if I do replace them is another rabbit hole altogether! I've spent HOURS reading posts here and elsewhere. Very intrigued by the fable TI Jazz Flats, but also am a little afraid to limit myself with flats since I've always been a rounds player until I got my Hofner for a Beatles band.

Your bass will sound great with the TIs (IME).

The only other slight bummer is that the mute does not touch the Low E at all even when fully raised and muting the HELL out of the A and D, BUT I don't see myself ever using the mute as it's far too much of a pain to raise and lower to be useful in a gig situation. So instead I ordered a "Mute Noodle" just to play with for fun in case I want those muted tones.

There is an easy fix for this well known mute issue, but it does require removing the tailpiece to do so. If you interested let me know for further instructions.

 

[Packard Goose]

There is an easy fix for this well known mute issue, but it does require removing the tailpiece to do so. If you interested let me know for further instructions.

I’m curious about this for my 4003s and am planning to change strings soon, so it would be a good time. I’m assuming it involves matching the radius of the strings? I haven’t attempted to tinker with it yet since I’m guessing there will be some trial and error.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I’m curious about this for my 4003s and am planning to change strings soon, so it would be a good time. I’m assuming it involves matching the radius of the strings? I haven’t attempted to tinker with it yet since I’m guessing there will be some trial and error.

Yes, that would be a good time to do this.

The baseplate the foam is on can be bent to better match the radius of the underside of the strings. The plate is rather hard, IIRC, so you may need some basic tools to help with the getting it done.

While you're at it cut the foam down the middle lengthwise and remove the half that is towards the neck, and shave off a bit of the length towards the bridge. This will allow the mute to work more smoothly and bring the new witness point closer to the saddles than the full width foam does.

 

[Packard Goose]

Yes, that would be a good time to do this.

The baseplate the foam is on can be bent to better match the radius of the underside of the strings. The plate is rather hard, IIRC, so you may need some basic tools to help with the getting it done.

While you're at it cut the foam down the middle lengthwise and remove the half that is towards the neck, and shave off a bit of the length towards the bridge. This will allow the mute to work more smoothly and bring the new witness point closer to the saddles than the full width foam does.

Thanks, that’s generally what I was planning with regard to bending the metal, but I hadn’t thought of removing foam! Hopefully I can match the radius on the first try.

 

[Isaac_James]

I’d change the strings, don’t notice that on my 2023 4003. I’ve found SIT PowerWound Nickel strings to be a good match for my Rickenbacker bass. You can order them in OEM string gauges if you like, too.

This is what I do. SIT custom sets are actually pretty affordable, and if you buy two sets I think it makes shipping (at least in the US) free.

 

[Isaac_James]

I've had multiple 4001s/4003s with dead E strings, and others with even response across all strings. Probably the pickup.

A good way to test this is to try each of the pickups solo. If the string sounds even on one of the pickups but dead on the other, then that is a possibility. If it sounds dead on both, it's probably something else, as it's unlikely for both pickups to have the same defect affecting only one of the strings.

 

[steve_ss]

@HeathAllyn Any update on your E string?

 

[lastminute]

Wanted to bump this. I have a similar issue. Stock E string doesn’t sound “dead” per se, but definitely has way less clarity/top end (relatively speaking) and a tiny bit less loud than the D and G strings. It’s a little more in tune with the A string.

 

[FRoss6788]

Wanted to bump this. I have a similar issue. Stock E string doesn’t sound “dead” per se, but definitely has way less clarity/top end (relatively speaking) and a tiny bit less loud than the D and G strings. It’s a little more in tune with the A string.

That was a characteristic of all three Ric's I used to own.

They all had to move on because of that and the worst dead spots of any basses I've ever owned.

 

[IronLung1986]

My old Rick 4003 has always had a weaker open E. It was a huge bummer during the period of time when it was my main bass, which was 2005 to 2010 or so. Now it sits unused. I tried everything to fix that E string. I filed the nut. I replaced the neck pickup, I replaced the bridge twice, tried different string gauges, messed with the pickup heights endlessly, truss rod adjustments, weights on the headstock, and on and on. Nothing helped. I gave up eventually and moved on.

 

[jay440]

I purchased a 4003 new almost 30 years ago, and have had this issue the entire time: It doesn't matter which brand/gauges/etc. the strings are, the open E string becomes a dull thud within minutes of changing them and before I even get a chance to plug in.

Ken Smiths, Rotosounds, D'Addarios & even a set from Trace Elliot when they made strings: No difference.

I've recently become enamored of DR Hi-Beams on some of my other basses & may try them on my Ric...but I've also been considering selling it for the past few years: It never has been the most comfortable instrument to play, anyway.

If I knew for certain that a Bone Nut & a Hipshot (or Babicz) bridge would solve this, I'd go for it, but IronLung1986's post above doesn't give me a good feeling: I may finally move the Ric along, but will first double-check every aspect mentioned in this thread so far.