Why dowtune.... Who not..

my band plays completely downtuned. guitaers are also tuned to a low B.
This is not uncommen in Metal.

I just love the sound and fell that makes my belly (to keep it x-rated) shake when i hit that low string.

Thanks to all that gave me suggestions.
I think i'm going to try and addept the nut to hold thicker strings and see what happens.

More ideas are verry welcome..

If your 1971 4001 has the stock cast aluminum tailpiece, then lift won't be an issue anyway, however, the aluminum tailpieces have narrower bridges with less saddle travel. This will probably make it imposible to acurately intonate the B string. The thicker the B string, the more saddle travel you'll need. I think this is why RIC originally used .115 B strings on their 4003S/5's and 4004Cii5's, so I wouldn't advise using a .135 string.

I once had a '73 4001 tuned to BEAD. I used .130 - .100 - .080 - .065 gauge strings. It set up well, played and sounded great.

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Throw that piece of firewood where it belongs and get yourself a Rickenbacker!

Just as a foot note.
If I had a 71 Rickenbacker in perfect condition I would not be taking to the nut with a file (unless it was to correct the standard setup.)
If the nut is original it would be best to remove it and put it aside then fit a new nut for the downtuning.
The same goes for the aluminium saddles on the gap tooth bridge. Unless they need fine tuning for the standard setup dont attack them with a file. Perhaps change the bridge and tailpiece for an {gray market brand} and then you can attack as much as you like...

emac.

Where did you get it for €1000? :O

Question kinda related to "replacing the saddles" thread. -->..Rickenbrother, when you used .130 - .100 - .080 - .065 gauge strings on your 4001. "It set up well, played and sounded great." Did you have to file on the nut (or replace it) and/or any of the saddles when you used the different gauge strings?

Second hand via the internet.

did I pay to much or to little?

I think you just summerized my starting qeustion.

My conclusion so far is to file the nut. but than again i would hate to change a bass that is in perfect condition and older than I am.

But I really want to use it live. And just can't do that.
Normal downtuning leaves no tention on the strings.

If keeping your Rick as original as possible is your concern, get a new nut made and installed specially for the heavier gauge strings and put the original nut away for save keeping. That way there is no change to the look or structure of the original parts and it can always be put back to original if ever you want. It's the modifications that are not easily reversible that might lower the value of your Rick.

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Throw that piece of firewood where it belongs and get yourself a Rickenbacker!

Also you might try getting a heavy set of strings and tuning DGCF.

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www.3dentourage.com/425