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The Rickenbacker Club! Part trees!

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#621
Btone said:
Hi all,

Just some hints that might be useful for new owners of new RICs out there:

I recently bought a hardly used '09 4003, strung with factory roundwound RIC strings. I didn't pay much attention to the setup with these strings, as I had a set of D'Addario Chromes (the ECB81 set) ready for the new acquisition.

After changing strings,

1) the truss rods needed adjustment, the Chromes are higher tention than the stock strings. No biggie.
2) the nut definitely didn't like the .65 gauge of the D-string, so it needed some width adjustment. You'll need some files..(Stewart McDonalds' file set is nice)
3) all the nut slots, E, A, D and G, had to be filed down, they were way too hi from factory (same files..).
4) the bridge grooves had to be filed down accordingly for a good setup, and to make the mute assembly to work properly, especially with the G-string I had to go quite deep (again the set from S. McDonald came to use.)

Now she plays like a dream, but I'm sure RICs in general need some serious setup of (especially) nut and bridge grooves to show what's in them, even if you decide to go with the stock strings. It's less intimidating with Fenders, I usually leave the nut as is, adjust the rod and the bridge height.
RIC nuts are set up, I've read somewhere, quite hi (unlike Fenders) from factory for you to adjust to preferred height. And I guess the same thing goes for the bridge slots.

Well, this has probably been discussed before, but anyways..:bassist:
Click to expand...

Nice Post! :bassist:

I also put a set of Chromes (45, 65, 80, 100) on my Jan 2009, 4003 Ric recently, but didn't encounter any of the items you detailed. Luck must've been on my side for a change! :hyper:
 
#627
I just took delivery of a January '10 4003 MG. OH. MY. WORD. The new two piece, slim necks are just buttery. The attention to detail is like nothing I've ever seen. I'll put some pics up soon. I'm gonna slap some TIs on it (I'll be playing with a pick in a new band, so flats are compulsory).
 
#630
Hi, I'm new. I have a 74' FG and I'd like to join your club. Can I get a number please?


DSC01464.jpg
 
#631
Beautiful aged FireGlo!
Really nice condition also.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I just placed an order for a 4003 MID from Musician's Friend, should be here in about a week!
Can't wait, my first new Rick ever!
:hyper::hyper::hyper::hyper::hyper:
 
#637
kcole4001 said:
The FG finishes are more subtle again.
The 1970s were definitely the classic period for FG, not too much, not too little, IMO.
Click to expand...

Here is a 70's or early 80's considering the skunk strip. I'm sure some like the natural wood color coming through. I just like that deep red on most of the body.

________________________
Oh,....I finally put TI Jazz on my Rick and I like the lower tension. Plus the tone is nice and even for me.
 
#639
john_martin_sai said:
That is in great shape. I have a '75 Fireglo since 1978.

The Fireglo finishes of the mid-70's look so much richer to me, without the extreme gradations and pink or orange middles. Love'em! :bassist:
Click to expand...



Thank you. When I bought the bass in the early 80s it had a black, split pickguard and no pup cover. I got a guard from Tony at Pickguardian and a cover from Ric. I like it better this way.


I played that bass for the first time in a long time last night and I forgot how great it was. Flat neck, great action. I have flats on it and in my band I usually use active basses with rounds. A little tweaking on the SansAmp though and it was sounding great.


So...., could I get a number? :D
 
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