lowlandtrees Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 I have a 1978 rick 4001. The 3rd string is very noticably lower in volume than the others. I have switched the bridge thingmybobs around so that the string is aligned better and runs right over the pickup but there is no difference. Any ideas. The only thing that I have done to the bass is change the scratch plate for a metal one as the old plastic one was broken. The bass has had a rough life to the point of abuse but apart from the string thing sounds great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iiipopes Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 Change the string and see if it is a bad string. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Valdemar Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 Which is the 3rd string, the A or D? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowlandtrees Posted November 24, 2012 Author Share Posted November 24, 2012 The A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacker Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 iiipopes is yer man for all things Rick but have you tried adjusting the pole? Which pup is it: front or rear? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iiipopes Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 Stacker - the OP's bass is old enough that it doesn't have adjustable pole pieces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacker Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 Yes but can't the pole still be adjusted somehow? If not, then could it have become demagnetised? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iiipopes Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 [quote name='Stacker' timestamp='1354201274' post='1883500'] Yes but can't the pole still be adjusted somehow? If not, then could it have become demagnetised? [/quote] On these basses (assuming original pickups) they have what have come to be called, "Button Top" high gain pickups. The bobbin is two small slabs of fibreglass, and the polepieces are glued in, with the bottom of the polepieces contacting a proprietary compound ceramic magnet. There is a small possibility that the pole isn't seated all the way to the end of the bobbin and is not making contact with the magnet. If changing the A string doesn't fix it, then one way to determine this is to flip the pickup around to see if the lower volume follows to the D string, as the pole pieces are in an arc to match the fingerboard radius, and the relative volume should be the same. I've never heard of a D string being down on volume. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowlandtrees Posted December 1, 2012 Author Share Posted December 1, 2012 Thanks. Will change strings first and come back. I take it that if the pole is gone then a new pick will be needed? Sorry for slow response. Damn cold and in Scotland right now. Only in studio at w/e z. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geddeeee Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 I think you'll find the A is the 2nd string. E to G - 1 to 4... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.