Hey guys, I joined a band recently and we play almost exclusively in drop D. My bass is set up the way I like it but the E string being tuned down to D makes it quite floppy. I play aggressively with a pick and sometimes the clank becomes too strong. I've tried raising the action on just the E string but then it hits the pickup cover and exacerbates the issue. I like resting my hand on the cover so I'd prefer not to take it off unless I need to. Since ricks have 2 truss rods, I was wondering about tightening only the right side rod slightly, but am worried about twisting the neck. What would be the easiest way to tighten that string up a little? New strings? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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Having trouble setting up rick 4003 for drop D
- Thread starter Cozz33
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- bass 4 string drop d rick 4003
This situation is a perfect setup for TB's favorite hobby: shopping for others!
I will go first: what u need is a new bass, rather than risking donking up yer Rick's neck.
I will go first: what u need is a new bass, rather than risking donking up yer Rick's neck.
Stop fixing what isnt broke your problems are arising from strings that are not heavy enough in gauge for what you are trying to do with them, the truss rods are not intended for action adjustments. A Rics tone is glorious second in tone only to a Jazz, it would be a shame to not hear it rumbling properly in its full down tuned bliss. What you want are heavier gauge strings, specifically for drop D on a Ric id aim for at least a .110 E string
Turnaround
Commercial User
A heavier gauge string would provide more tension, but you might have to widen the nut slot. And because of the added tension you will need to adjust the truss rods.
OP: This may seem silly, but @Stylee Mousse has a good point. Since you say that your Ric is already setup the way you like (in E), why not purchase a second bass specifically for D?
Look man I know I've got a rick but I'm not made out of money lmao Truthfully I've thought about getting a jaguar style bass sometime in the future but money is tight at the moment.
Thank you! Took a little bravery to get used to adjusting Rick truss rods but it ain't no thang to me now
A set of D'Addario XL160BT's, a modified nut, truss rod tweak and intonation adjustments, and you should be good to go. The heavier strings drop tuned will have similar tension characteristics as a standard set of 45's at standard pitch, although yes, you might need not only a truss rod tweak, but intonation adjustments as well. I play in a band where the lead singer desires we tune down a 1/2 step, and my hands now prefer 32-inch scale necks. So put both of those together and my bass plays at the same tension as Drop D at 34-inch scale. I play singles GHS Boomers in 50-65-85 and for the E string 110 or 115, whichever is in stock at the given time. Boomers have a little heavier core than many other strings, D'A XL for example, so they retain tension better. Boomers sound good on a Rickenbacker bass. I played 45-105 Boomers on a 4001 in the '80's and '90's, and on my 4002 (yes, "2," not "1" or "3") until Progressives came out.
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There are a few string tension calculators online where you can enter variables like pitch, scale length, etc. to find the tension for different gauges. If you play around with one you should be able to find a string that has very nearly the same tension at D as the current gauge does at E. In that case the overall tension will not be changed very much and the truss rod will need only minor if any adjustment. The nut slot may need to be widened slightly, but just make sure not to deepen it, only widen it. A common round needle file will do the job; no need for special nut files for this.
