I bought a Rickenbacker 4003s/5 when I was younger. I have forgotten the year.

I have never really even touched the rod, replaced anything in the bass, and kept the same strings on it. The strings are getting "our of shape", so I went and got a set of Ernie Ball Light gauged strings (40-105). I put them on, but the bass now sounds like it has been in a guitar shop untouched during winter. I like the sound, but the E tuner knob is really loose.

So to my question now, how do I tune up my bass guitar? With all my others, I took it in to my friend, who has worked on Guitars his entire life.

Thanks.