NBD: Ricky 4003SW Sharp fret ends and Hum Galore

[Rat Blitz]

Well I had been gassing for a Ricky 4003 in Walnut for quite some time. I managed to be able to trade for a 2017 4003SW which is actually much more comfortable (and lighter) to play than the regular 4003 version with binding.
The bass had been modified with a new Hipshot bridge and black truss rod cover (good) and new pickguard (not so good in my opinion).
I wanted to put the original pickguard and bezel back but I found a couple other nasty problems with the bass. Terrible sharp fret ends (which is either caused by substandard work at the factory or walnut wood shrinkage) as well as a VERY VERY LOUD hum from the bridge pickup.
The bass also suffered from misaligned bridge pickup (common 4003 problem) which is not a major problem just sloppy craftsmanship.
My friend and guitar tech (Dave's World of Wonderful Stuff) did a great job of shielding and finding the noise issue. It turns out if was a cold solder joint from the factory.
Yes the bass was modified somewhat but the original owner told me that the buzz was always terrible and he dealt with it by getting a noise gate.
Don't get me wrong. I love Ricks. I've also got two 4001s from the 70s.
But where is quality control at Rickenbacker? I'm glad I've got a great luthier at my disposal!

Below are links for 3 videos of Dave troubleshooting and fixing the bass (which now plays and sounds great).

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

The other issue was collapsed feet on the Rickenbacker case which apparently is another very well known problem.
I ordered a Rickenbacker Case Repair Kit from RickySounds to deal with that little issue.

Rickenbacker Case Repair Kit - Black Plastic - Made By RickySounds - For Everything Rickenbacker​

 

[BrentSimons]

I saw the vids this morning! Nothing like Dave working on a Ric to bring a smile to my face Glad it worked out well for you. I adore Dave’s channel and have learned so much from him over the years.
Kindly,
Brent

 

[tremor100]

Lol when i saw this posted i was literally thinking.. didn't dave just post a super similar one of these to his channel.. it is the same one!

 

[birminghambass]

I resisted buy a Rick for years because of all the issues and QC problems I'd read about. Took a chance on a 2019 4003 last year because it was so cheap. It's absolutely perfect. After, or course, a shielding job and reversing the polarity of the neck pickup magnet (so it hum cancels). Fantastic bass.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Well I had been gassing for a Ricky 4003 in Walnut for quite some time. I managed to be able to trade for a 2017 4003SW which is actually much more comfortable (and lighter) to play than the regular 4003 version with binding.
The bass had been modified with a new Hipshot bridge and black truss rod cover (good) and new pickguard (not so good in my opinion).
I wanted to put the original pickguard and bezel back but I found a couple other nasty problems with the bass. Terrible sharp fret ends (which is either caused by substandard work at the factory or walnut wood shrinkage) as well as a VERY VERY LOUD hum from the bridge pickup.
The bass also suffered from misaligned bridge pickup (common 4003 problem) which is not a major problem just sloppy craftsmanship.
My friend and guitar tech (Dave's World of Wonderful Stuff) did a great job of shielding and finding the noise issue. It turns out if was a cold solder joint from the factory.
Yes the bass was modified somewhat but the original owner told me that the buzz was always terrible and he dealt with it by getting a noise gate.
Don't get me wrong. I love Ricks. I've also got two 4001s from the 70s.
But where is quality control at Rickenbacker? I'm glad I've got a great luthier at my disposal!

Below are links for 3 videos of Dave troubleshooting and fixing the bass (which now plays and sounds great).

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

The other issue was collapsed feet on the Rickenbacker case which apparently is another very well known problem.
I ordered a Rickenbacker Case Repair Kit from RickySounds to deal with that little issue.

Rickenbacker Case Repair Kit - Black Plastic - Made By RickySounds - For Everything Rickenbacker​

I had a 70s 4001. Recently I played a 4003. You would never know it was made by the same company.

 

[kyral210]

I’m shocked at how terrible that bass was built. For the price they go for I expect perfection!

 

[Iristone]

Rickenbackers from the Kim John-Hall era (1984-2020) are somewhat known for less-than-perfect workmanship and shielding. The wires are shielded, but the cavity could use some foil lining or conductive painting. The pickups also benefit from an RWRP mod if you don't use Ric-O-Sound.

 

[Gunga Din]

Rickenbackers from the Kim John-Hall era (1984-2020) are somewhat known for less-than-perfect workmanship and shielding. The wires are shielded, but the cavity could use some foil lining or conductive painting. The pickups also benefit from an RWRP mod if you don't use Ric-O-Sound.

Kim John-Hall. How apppropriate!

 

[ClassicJazz]

I had bought a brand new 4003SW around five years ago. Absolutely beautiful bass. BUT....... The fretwork was horrible!!! The worst I have ever seen. Sharp fret ends on both sides of the neck, so bad you could actually cut yourself. My sub $200 knock around Harley Benton bass had 1000 times better fretwork! It was so bad I called Rickenbacker about and had a really bad experience. They were down right rude and combative with me. Seriously? I just spent a load of money on one of your products and this is how you treat customers???

Since it was such a great looking bass, I decided to keep it. I had to re-dress all the fret ends on both sided of the neck. Also ended up installing a Hipshot bridge and noiseless JBE pickups. Was a great sounding and playing bass after I was done with it!

But I will NEVER buy a Rickenbacker product again after being treated like that!

 

[Patrice B]

Mine, a 2024, has also some sharp fret ends but not to the point of being like a cutter. A trip to my tech would be the solution. As for hum, just the usual Rick single-coil hum. Also a 2003SW.

 

[WayneP]

The other issue was collapsed feet on the Rickenbacker case which apparently is another very well known problem.
I ordered a Rickenbacker Case Repair Kit from RickySounds to deal with that little issue.

Rickenbacker Case Repair Kit - Black Plastic - Made By RickySounds - For Everything Rickenbacker​

Any chance you could scan the instructions and post them here? (Or email to me?) I’m interested in this kit, but I’d like to make sure it’s something I could accomplish before I pull the trigger.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
Official Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Official Heartfield Club #36
Administrator, Official Tobias Club #133
Administrator, Official Pre-Gibson Tobias Owners Club
Administrator, Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly
Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

Dave is awesome and I’m sure he was “so happy” to be working on a Rickenbacker!
I’m definitely a Rickenbacker lover, when they’re good they’re great, but when they’re bad they’re pretty jarringly terrible. They already border on uncomfortable in perfect form but once there’s something out of whack it makes them very hard to love.
For the bridge pickup being cock eyed they sell a stick on chrome trim cover that would probably even that pickup out in the bezel, I put one on my 2023 Jetglo 4003S, not because it was crooked I just wanted it to pop against the black bezel I put on mine!

 

[Rat Blitz]

Any chance you could scan the instructions and post them here? (Or email to me?) I’m interested in this kit, but I’d like to make sure it’s something I could accomplish before I pull the trigger.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
Official Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Official Heartfield Club #36
Administrator, Official Tobias Club #133
Administrator, Official Pre-Gibson Tobias Owners Club
Administrator, Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly
Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide

I'll post when it arrives. Waiting for it to be shipped from UK.

 

[Rat Blitz]

Any chance you could scan the instructions and post them here? (Or email to me?) I’m interested in this kit, but I’d like to make sure it’s something I could accomplish before I pull the trigger.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
Official Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Official Heartfield Club #36
Administrator, Official Tobias Club #133
Administrator, Official Pre-Gibson Tobias Owners Club
Administrator, Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly
Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide

Hey you go!