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| Topic:
Got my new Ricky, a few questions though. |
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Travisx2112
Mackerel
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Posted: 11/4/2009 6:09:00 PM
I finally received my JetGlo 4003 and I absolutely love it! I need some advice though on a few things.
The A and D strings are A LOT louder than the E and G strings because the pickup screws are a lot higher than the other two for some reason, on both pickups. Because of the this they distort way too much. Why would it be set up like this from the factory? Also, I'm absolutely terrified to remove the pickup cover. It seems ridiculously complicated, even following these instructions:
quote:
Just loosen the two pickup height adjustment screws (the large ones at the sides of the assembly, but DON'T pull them out or up at all. When you are finished loosening the screws all the way, let the pickup drop to the inside of the body. Still do not remove the height adjustment screws. Squeeze the sides of the pickup cover until you can get it out from the under the surround plate. It won't break. You can even push one side into the opposite inner wall of the pickup cavity to squeeze it enough to come out. Be careful since you don't want the springs and ground wire to come off the screws, which is why you shouldn't remove them. When you get the cover out, hold the pickup assembly up a bit so that the screws go in the holes at the sides of the pickup mounting plate.
Should I be worried about wrecking something doing this?
Posts: 29 Location: Registered: 10/25/2009 9:56:00 AM
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Rushfan2112
Mackerel
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Posted: 11/4/2009 7:13:00 PM
nah man, im 14 and i took off the pickup bridge all by myself, but my only advice is just watch what you are doing, i got a bit confused to pick the plate back on without the pickup bridge, but there really is nothing to worry about :) oh yea and put some protection like a blanket after you take off the strings on the neck and body while doing the procedure, don't wanna scratch it up!
Posts: 24 Location: Somewhere Registered: 7/24/2009 8:01:00 PM
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Travisx2112
Mackerel
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Posted: 11/4/2009 7:55:00 PM
But I'm not planning on taking the strings off, as the procedure I quoted seems it would work best.
Posts: 29 Location: Registered: 10/25/2009 9:56:00 AM
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cassius987
Shark
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Posted: 11/4/2009 8:11:00 PM
quote:The A and D strings are A LOT louder than the E and G strings because the pickup screws are a lot higher than the other two for some reason, on both pickups. Because of the this they distort way too much. Why would it be set up like this from the factory?
RIC does it like that to try to match the radius of the fingerboard (and the bridge). *However* I have experienced the same exact thing that you have on every modern 4003 I've tried. Thank God for adjustable poles. Here's what I do (and the result sounds pretty sweet if you ask me): after you take off the cover, dial all the poles flush to the pickup surface. Then add one half to one whole turn to the A and D screws to give them a *little* tiny bit of extra height to compensate for the increased distance of those strings. Replace the cover if you like.
The result won't distort and should still have that Hi-Gain sweetness. Setup right, Hi-Gains sound like pure sugar crystals. Setup wrong or played wrong, they sound like a farty mess. You gotta watch it!
Posts: 1830 Location: Denver, CO, USA Registered: 3/5/2007 10:33:00 AM
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Travisx2112
Mackerel
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Posted: 11/4/2009 10:49:00 PM
I'll do that then! Thanks for the advice! Looking at the treble pickup assembly diagram from the RIC website, it looks like once I remove those two screws at the side, that the whole assembly will become dislodged and just rattle around inside the body freely. Am I correct? How do I adjust the height of the pickup once I have the screws off if they hold everything together? Do I pull the pickup up while tightening the screws or what? I would like a video of someone taking the cover off step by step but can't find anything. I'm scared to do it myself.
Posts: 29 Location: Registered: 10/25/2009 9:56:00 AM
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FlyingJunk
Trout
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Posted: 11/4/2009 11:29:00 PM
Have you come across Joey's Bass Notes yet? http://www.joeysbassnotes.com/
You won't find clearer, more logical or better illustrated guides on Ric bass setup & maintenance anywhere. Strings, truss rods, pickup adjustment, removing the bridge P/U cover and lots more are all covered. If you follow the advice and take it steady you'll be fine.
Posts: 53 Location: Suffolk, England Registered: 5/8/2008 8:53:00 AM
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stevebasshead
Trout
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Posted: 11/5/2009 1:22:00 AM
I'd just add, if ever you're not sure about reassembling something in the right way grab a digital camera/camera phone and take a quick snap or two of how it looks before you disassemble it.
I even did that when I replaced the intonation screws on my bridge so that I could put the saddles back in as near exact same place as before. When I checked the intonation afterwards only one saddle required a little tweak, so it saved me having to fiddle about too much.
Posts: 67 Location: UK Registered: 3/12/2007 11:44:00 AM
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Travisx2112
Mackerel
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Posted: 11/5/2009 2:17:00 PM
How long are the ground wire and wire from the pup that go to the control cavity? Do I have enough slack from them to be able to remove the four screws from the surround and just move the assembly over so I can rest it on the body so I can dissasemble, remove the cover, and reassemble?
Posts: 29 Location: Registered: 10/25/2009 9:56:00 AM
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Travisx2112
Mackerel
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Posted: 11/5/2009 2:17:00 PM
How long are the ground wire and wire from the pup that go to the control cavity? Do I have enough slack from them to be able to remove the four screws from the surround and just move the assembly over so I can rest it on the body so I can dissasemble, remove the cover, and reassemble?
Posts: 29 Location: Registered: 10/25/2009 9:56:00 AM
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cassius987
Shark
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Posted: 11/5/2009 4:17:00 PM
I seem to recall there is plenty of slack to remove the whole assembly and set it on the body of the bass (on top of a polish cloth preferably) by removing the four smaller screws.
The two large screws adjust the platform/base that the pickup sits on, so that's how you adjust pickup height.
Posts: 1830 Location: Denver, CO, USA Registered: 3/5/2007 10:33:00 AM
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Travisx2112
Mackerel
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Posted: 11/5/2009 9:59:00 PM
Got the cover off, adjusted the poles and everything, this bass just ROCKS!! The binding doesn't bug me, and I love the push-pull pot, I love that it exaggerates the mids sort of, which I like a lot. I's very comfortable in my lap too. Even more comfortable than my Jazzes, and MAN does it GROWL. WOW.
Posts: 29 Location: Registered: 10/25/2009 9:56:00 AM
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Travisx2112
Mackerel
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Posted: 11/6/2009 7:26:00 AM
Although..that E string. I may as well be playing with a flatwound E and everything else roundwound. :/
Posts: 29 Location: Registered: 10/25/2009 9:56:00 AM
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Travisx2112
Mackerel
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Posted: 11/6/2009 7:57:00 AM
Also, why does the Rick buzz like mad when I'm using my Bass Big Muff Fuzz, but my Jazz doesn't? Is it the nature of the pickups?
Posts: 29 Location: Registered: 10/25/2009 9:56:00 AM
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fabclaxton
Mackerel
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Posted: 11/6/2009 10:25:00 AM
quote:Although..that E string. I may as well be playing with a flatwound E and everything else roundwound. :/
Wow.....you just put into words the EXACT problem I've experienced since I received my 2009 4003 almost five months ago. I've tried everything - replacing the strings (currently using D'addario XL Super Light Gauge .040 .060 .075 .095 strings), adjusted the pickup heights, adjusted the individual pole pieces, adjusted the EQ settings on my amp, etc. - but my E string still sounds muffled, dead, and almost hollow compared to the A, D, and G strings (all of which couldn't possibly sound any better). It's to the point now that I'm starting to write basslines that don't use the E string at all (which I don't consider to be a viable solution). I've read many posts where other people have noted the same thing.
I'm still hoping I can find a solution.
Posts: 17 Location: Registered: 8/18/2008 9:01:00 AM
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BlueAngel
Shark
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Posted: 11/6/2009 11:24:00 AM
It seems to be something that affects some basses but not others, like the dead spots - the E string on mine sounds the same as the others, and it has no dead spots. I've played other examples with both problems, sometimes on the same bass... I'm not sure there's a lot you can do about it if you've tried different strings - go heavier as well as lighter - and adjusted the setup. Some basses just seem to have these odd resonances which cause one or both of these things. It's odd if it does it all the way up the string though - once you get up to the 5th fret it should respond in the same way as the same notes on higher strings, so if it doesn't it may be a saddle issue since that's the only thing common to all the higher notes on the string and not to the other strings.
I assume you've checked that the mute foam is not touching the E - sorry, I had to ask!
The buzz (hum, really) is simply because Rickenbackers do not have hum-cancelling RWRP pickups. If you turn down one of the pickups on the Jazz it should do the same - but when both are up full, they cancel the hum. There are various ways of fixing it on a 4003, including converting the bridge pickup to RWRP, using a hum eliminator (pedal or rack unit), or replacing the pickups with humbucking ones - which all have various advantages and disadvantages. There has been a suggestion recently of using a dummy coil system too.
Posts: 2338 Location: Scotland Registered: 11/17/2005
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cassius987
Shark
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Posted: 11/6/2009 11:31:00 AM
quote:I've tried everything - replacing the strings (currently using D'addario XL Super Light Gauge .040 .060 .075 .095 strings)
Question, how did it sound when you bought the bass? Pretty darn good right (or else you would have returned it)? Personally I've never played a factory fresh Ric that didn't just blow my mind, including the E. Admittedly this only includes my three basses, two brand new 4004s I have tried, and a fourth 4003. But the fact that these brand new basses don't have this problem should clue you in.
Now notice something: with your current string set, your A and especially your E strings are going to be pretty low in tension relative to the other two unless the way those strings are made is totally different from the norm (it's not). You REALLY need to try sizing both up if you want, especially E to at least 100 if not right away to 105.
Basically my theory is this: too many people are using string sets that predispose the lower strings to being low in tension (relative to the other strings is what counts here) and this lack of tension causes the string to flex more and not ring out as clearly (as the others). Which could absolutely cause it to sound like a flatwound string. Notice that the RIC standard gauges follow this advice: 45-55-75-105. The G and E get their due and the string set is nicely balanced. Please give this a shot.
Posts: 1830 Location: Denver, CO, USA Registered: 3/5/2007 10:33:00 AM
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fabclaxton
Mackerel
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Posted: 11/6/2009 11:49:00 AM
quote:Question, how did it sound when you bought the bass? Pretty darn good right (or else you would have returned it)?
No - it had the same problem when I first received it. I just assumed that after a few adjustments (pickups, strings, neck, etc.) the problem would go away. I have wanted a Ric bass for 17 years now, so I really didn't/don't want to return it. I definitely want to keep trying every option I possibly can before I give in and sell it.
I've read a few posts where you've suggested using D'Addario strings in 45-60-80-105 gauges (which I'd have to purchase in singles). That'll definitely be the next thing I try.
Does D'Addario make a set in 45-55-75-105 gauges? I'd rather try those first as the Rickenbacker factory strings had the low E problem.
Posts: 17 Location: Registered: 8/18/2008 9:01:00 AM
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cassius987
Shark
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Posted: 11/6/2009 12:32:00 PM
quote:Does D'Addario make a set in 45-55-75-105 gauges? I'd rather try those first as the Rickenbacker factory strings had the low E problem.
Well, here's what you can do: buy Nickelwound XL D'Addario singles in those gauges from JustStrings.com. Or ProSteels if you like. In my experience, steel strings have a little bit more fundamental, get a little brighter when you dig in, and are a bit more even in their response than nickelwounds. (BA and iiipopes, don't you guys use steel strings? Well iiipopes uses ferric steel IIRC.) But they're harder on the frets sometimes. I have more faith in steel strings not to be junk right out of the box but some people (including myself) just prefer nickel at times. Give either one a shot... generally I really love D'Addario.
So is it that your fundamental is gone, or just your top end, or the whole thing sounds choked...? I know my friend DCR had two Rics with "choked" E strings and it turned out to be the TI JF344 strings he was using, which at the time seemed impossible--he'd gone through several sets. But he switched to D'Addario Chromes and apparently that fixed it.
Posts: 1830 Location: Denver, CO, USA Registered: 3/5/2007 10:33:00 AM
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fabclaxton
Mackerel
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Posted: 11/6/2009 1:07:00 PM
It's the top end that's missing. I love a bright bass tone (like Andy Rourke from the Smiths) and the A, D, and G strings all sound the way I want them to - but the E string is lacking that high-end brightness. At times it almost sounds like I'm playing two different basses at once - one with flatwounds and one with roundwounds. I wouldn't say that the E string sounds choked (it rings out and sustains just fine) - it just sounds different from the other three strings - and not at all how I want it to sound. It's like someone is putting a blanket over the speaker when I play the E string and removing it when I play the A, D or G.
The Prosteels sound very tempting as I've heard they're very bright - but I'm a little wary of them eating up my fretboard. I have a pretty hard attack so I think I'd better stick to the nickelwounds.
Posts: 17 Location: Registered: 8/18/2008 9:01:00 AM
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cassius987
Shark
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Posted: 11/6/2009 4:37:00 PM
quote:The Prosteels sound very tempting as I've heard they're very bright - but I'm a little wary of them eating up my frets. I have a pretty hard attack so I think I'd better stick to the nickelwounds.
I dunno. If you think you can get away with it, steel strings are very bright and consistent...
Posts: 1830 Location: Denver, CO, USA Registered: 3/5/2007 10:33:00 AM
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RickyG
Grouper
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Posted: 11/6/2009 5:39:00 PM
It's interesting to hear many people say the E-string sounds 'dead' compared to the other strings. I have a 1975 4001 fitted with TI344's and have the same problem. However, if I back off the neck pick-up volume pot by about 20 degrees from full-on, the output from the E-string increases and is then comparable to the other strings.
Maybe there is a reason for this and perhaps some of the technofiles on this forum can explain why?
Posts: 5 Location: Lancashire, England Registered: 12/31/2008 5:18:00 AM
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Travisx2112
Mackerel
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Posted: 11/6/2009 9:09:00 PM
I wonder if filing down the nut on the E string position would help? Where's this mute foam? There's tonnes of low end but no high end from that string.
Posts: 29 Location: Registered: 10/25/2009 9:56:00 AM
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cassius987
Shark
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Posted: 11/6/2009 9:24:00 PM
quote:I wonder if filing down the nut on the E string position would help? Where's this mute foam? There's tonnes of low end but no high end from that string.
I doubt the nut is the issue. Bridge height maybe--not nut height. The foam mute is in the tailpiece cavity and is manipulated via the two large twist knobs.
Posts: 1830 Location: Denver, CO, USA Registered: 3/5/2007 10:33:00 AM
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Travisx2112
Mackerel
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Posted: 11/6/2009 10:12:00 PM
Ah okay.
I've adjusted my poles to try to fix it, but to no avail. I'm wondering why that, in addition to adjusting the poles, people say to angle the pups? What difference would that make? Aren't you just readjusting the height of the poles by doing that, therefore being redundant?
Posts: 29 Location: Registered: 10/25/2009 9:56:00 AM
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cassius987
Shark
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Posted: 11/6/2009 11:28:00 PM
quote:Aren't you just readjusting the height of the poles by doing that, therefore being redundant?
No. The pickup is composed of three major parts I guess you could say, a ceramic magnet, the four poles, and the coil. The placement/position of the magnet will change the tone, and so will adjusting the poles, but not in exactly the same way. The poles are sort of like a focused extension of the magnetic field (hey experts--feel free to step in here and correct me if this isn't the case), so raising them has a different effect on the resulting field than raising the whole magnet will. This is part of why Hi-Gains sound like they do is *because* they have discrete pickup poles. Pickups without poles or with bipoles (J Bass & P Bass pickups for instance) will sound a little different because of the change in magnetic field. Without poles, the field is a lot broader and shallower (or so I understand it to be).
Try lowering the G-string side a pinch and raising the E-string side a pinch and see what you get.
Posts: 1830 Location: Denver, CO, USA Registered: 3/5/2007 10:33:00 AM
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| All times are PST. The current date and time is 11/20/2009 2:14:59 PM |
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