Hey I just got a new 4003 and I love it. I ordered it from a reputable Ric Dealer, who said they would set it up for me...It does have a lot of fret buzz...Is that normal for a Ric or do you think the action is set to low. I have been playing an Ibanez SRX...and they are known for having serious fret buzz..I was expecting the RIC to have a lot less...but it seems to be the same...Any advice or input?

Two things:

The humidity could be different from where it was set up and where you are. Hold the E string at the 1st fret and the 20th (last) fret at the same time, and see if the string hits all frets the same and at the same time. If not, if it hits somewhere between first before the last fret is touching, you have backbow and it is why there is buzz. You would need to back off the truss rod nut(s) to get the neck perfectly flat. Measure using the G string for that side of the neck also. Follow the instructions for adjusting in the Owners Manual. It is also linked above under Service.

The other possibility is the bridge is just too low. It can be raised with the two set screws and the allen wrench in the key bag that came with the bass.

thank you...I'll check it out...as for the humidity...that could be it. It was setup in Chicago and I live in Florida.

learn how to do a setup yourself ... adjusting the truss rods and adjusting the bridge height ...

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www.3dentourage.com/425

Gently with those trussrods! There are lots of posts on other threads bemoaning truss-rod damage and destruction due to over-zealous adjustment.

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As I get older, my music gets softer and my shirts get louder....

I just received a new 4003 March 07 build that I ordered on line, and I asked for it to be set up with a low action. I actually don't mind a little fret buzz - it adds to the percussive sound I like and works really well I think with the Ric tone. Enjoy the 4003!

I've got a little buzz with mine, too ('04 4003) which I can hear plainly while playing but does not transmit to recordings.......? Either way, the action is super low. One of my guitar players in the band picked it up and was fooling around with it one night and remarked 'This thing almost plays its self!'

You let a guitar player fool around with your bass?

:-)

I like it as low as possible, without fretbuzz myself. Using Aceonbass' tilt fix, I was able to drop it right on the fretboard with no buzz. I can't stand excessive noise, I got enough problems.

Hi, i got my 4003 from ebay in england. When the neck is dead straight and i press behind the first fret, the string rattles like hell. But when i press the second fret the buz is totally gone. I only have this problem with the E and A string. I tried different strings and all but the problem remains the same. Did I buy a faulty ric?