Rickenbacker 4001 dull sounding open E

[vinorange]

I’m just wondering if anyone else has had this issue on a 4001 or 4003.

Mine is a 1980 Jetglo 4001 and, despite fitting new strings (D’Addario super steels) the open E is always tonally damped compared to my other basses. My fenders always sound tight, crisp and zippy whereas the Rick always sounds like the E is muted which it can’t be as I’ve swapped the bridge for a Hipshot brass. I had wondered whether the brass bridge was causing it, or the nut which looks original.

Id read that other people have the same hole in the bottom end on a vintage Rick but just hoping that the genii on here are able to point me in the right direction to a possible solution....

Cheers.

[Downunderwonder]

How about the other notes on the E string?

 

If it's only the open E you might suspect an issue with the nut.

 

If it's all the way up the neck then the pickup might be duff or set too low.

[vinorange]

1 minute ago, Downunderwonder said:

How about the other notes on the E string?

 

If it's only the open E you might suspect an issue with the nut.

 

If it's all the way up the neck then the pickup might be duff or set too low.

It’s particularly noticeable on the open E. With fresh strings the A, D and G are nice and zingy and then the open E is lifeless. I’d say that it sounds dull acoustically as well as amplified which may point to the nut.

Anybody used a brass nut on a Rick? Or would a good bone nut suffice?

Thanks

[Waddo Soqable]

Sounds like it has to be the nut, you could try a bit of filing on the E slot to ensure you've got a decent fit and break over right on the edge?