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Rickenbacker 4003 gradually losing output level, now almost gone

da old guy

da old guy

Nov 11, 2017
85
61
NH Lakes Region
#1
I have a 2017 Rickenbacker 4003 that has been gradually losing output level over the past 3-4 weeks. It was converted to 5-string back in 2017 when I purchased it and I don't think that is related. It has always performed perfectly till the past few weeks when this problem became noticeable. I first noticed I had to increase the gain on my practice setup and then our sound Engineers also commented that the output level was lower and then very, very low last night at rehearsal. I could barely hear myself in my IEMs. Seems to be both pickups are equally effected. Cables and amps have been eliminated as the source of the greatly diminishing output. I would think that if this were a pickup problem it would be all-or-nothing and that both pickups would not start to fail at the same time. Need some ideas on where to go to diagnose this and to repair the fault.
THANK YOU!
 
#2
da old guy said:
I have a 2017 Rickenbacker 4003 that has been gradually losing output level over the past 3-4 weeks. It was converted to 5-string back in 2017 when I purchased it and I don't think that is related. It has always performed perfectly till the past few weeks when this problem became noticeable. I first noticed I had to increase the gain on my practice setup and then our sound Engineers also commented that the output level was lower and then very, very low last night at rehearsal. I could barely hear myself in my IEMs. Seems to be both pickups are equally effected. Cables and amps have been eliminated as the source of the greatly diminishing output. I would think that if this were a pickup problem it would be all-or-nothing and that both pickups would not start to fail at the same time. Need some ideas on where to go to diagnose this and to repair the fault.
THANK YOU!
Click to expand...
I hate to say it, but your bass is toast. Throw it away. Better yet, I'll take it off your hands for free. Just send it to me. Just kidding.

I'm not expert, but I would guess it's an electronics component since both pups are affected the same. Here's a link to the Rickenbacker schematics for the 4003. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] Maybe there is something there for someone who knows electronics and can help explain a fix for you. I'm sure it will be a simple repair involving a screw driver and soldering iron. Wish I could be more help. Can't wait to see the final fix in case this happens to me one day.
 

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#3
Thanks for the offer to take this POS custom Rick off my hands!
:)
I know electronics and there are no active electronics or battery in this old-school bass, that's what is so puzzling and I just don't see pickups gradually losing their output over the period of a few weeks after working and sounding just amazing for 4-5 years. I would expect a total failure. Maybe the magnets can get weak over time but I've not heard of this.
???
 
#4
da old guy said:
Thanks for the offer to take this POS custom Rick off my hands!
:)
I know electronics and there are no active electronics or battery in this old-school bass, that's what is so puzzling and I just don't see pickups gradually losing their output over the period of a few weeks after working and sounding just amazing for 4-5 years. I would expect a total failure. Maybe the magnets can get weak over time but I've not heard of this.
???
Click to expand...
I know there isn't a battery in the 4003 (I have one also), but I was thinking of the caps and resistors or whatever mystery hides under the pick guard. I don't know if that type of component would fail slowly or sudden death. A little poking around with a multi meter might show a failed component? Magnets failing over time... When you aren't playing, do you store the bass near anything else with magnets? Something laying on or in the case? I'm at a loss, but trying to offer any thoughts I can. Wish I could offer more. Sorry. Keep us informed.
 
#5
Clean the output jack(s) first. Dirt and/or corrosion could be causing a resistance issue. If that doesn’t help, then you need to start troubleshooting caps, solder points, the switch, and the four pots. If it still has issues, then all that’s left is some faulty wiring that needs addressed. Not sure it could be anything else after that.
 
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#7
Check that switch across C3. All your low frequency goes through that switch; if the contacts are dirty, it'll sound very thin and anemic.
Personally, I would just get rid of that switch and cap with a jumper.

Edit: After having a closer look at the schematic, I see that switch and cap is in play only when the selector switch is in the "twang" position. As Sissy Kathy mentioned, check that selector switch.
 
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#8
Most Jacks aren't affected by dirt and corrosion, unless they are stored in a very humid locations. If anything, clean with a zero residue contact cleaner and work the plug in and out of the jack to wipe the contact surfaces. If you use DeOxit or anything else with oils, it'll tend to accumulate more dirt and dust and exacerbate the problem over time.

Are you using the stereo output jack at all?
 
#9
It's possible you have a dying pickup, maybe a loose or corroded wire coming off the pickup itself. Take the pickguard off (carefully) and check the leads coming off both pickups, and follow the leads to their connection points to see if you have any bad solder joints. The progressive failure is strange though, pickups usually work or not, and any fade is really gradual as they de-gauss over time. Other than the Ric O Sound function, it's really a pretty simple wiring harness, not many points it can go wrong. You might be better served posting this in the Pickups and Electronics forum. Posting photos of all the components under the guard, and connection of output jacks might reveal some obvious problem to the wiring gurus.
 
#10
Gilmourisgod said:
It's possible you have a dying pickup, maybe a loose or corroded wire coming off the pickup itself. Take the pickguard off (carefully) and check the leads coming off both pickups, and follow the leads to their connection points to see if you have any bad solder joints. The progressive failure is strange though, pickups usually work or not, and any fade is really gradual as they de-gauss over time. Other than the Ric O Sound function, it's really a pretty simple wiring harness, not many points it can go wrong. You might be better served posting this in the Pickups and Electronics forum. Posting photos of all the components under the guard, and connection of output jacks might reveal some obvious problem to the wiring gurus.
Click to expand...
Possible for one pickup going bad, not very likely for both to go bad simultaneously. I think the problem is more likely controls or switches.
 
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#11
steve_ss said:
I know there isn't a battery in the 4003 (I have one also), but I was thinking of the caps and resistors or whatever mystery hides under the pick guard. I don't know if that type of component would fail slowly or sudden death. A little poking around with a multi meter might show a failed component? Magnets failing over time... When you aren't playing, do you store the bass near anything else with magnets? Something laying on or in the case? I'm at a loss, but trying to offer any thoughts I can. Wish I could offer more. Sorry. Keep us informed.
Click to expand...

Extreme heat, sharp knocks, and extreme age (many decades) kill magnets. storing near another magnet won't generally hurt them. Also, remember, pickup magnets aren't very strong to begin with. I seriously doubt that is the issue.
 
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#13
Funny side story, long time ago I worked in a computer room that had magnetic tapes of backup data stored on racks. Several racks, with each shelf for each day's backup. Found out (the hard way) that the Saturday night backups on the bottom shelf were getting erased by the electric floor buffer when they cleaned the floor each Sunday. OK, back to the original topic...
 
#15
da old guy said:
THANK YOU all for your suggestions!
Looks like the problem was as simple as the bass pickup "self adjusting" itself back into the body and away from the strings and that fits the observed reduction in output over a period of time. Working well now on my practice rig. The real test will be this Sunday am worship service.
Click to expand...
This I find surprising. I wouldn't expect that big a volume just from the pickup dropping down as what you described.
 
#16
Sounds like your Rick went back in time & pushed its dad out of the way of a moving car, preventing its parents from meeting each other and falling in love. You gotta take your 4003 to the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance !!
 
#17
da old guy said:
THANK YOU all for your suggestions!
Looks like the problem was as simple as the bass pickup "self adjusting" itself back into the body and away from the strings and that fits the observed reduction in output over a period of time. Working well now on my practice rig. The real test will be this Sunday am worship service.
Click to expand...

It sounds like your adjustment screws could benefit from a minute daub of blue Loctite.
 

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