rickenbacker 4003 what a pain in the...! - Page 2

ScottTunes · #21 02-04-2013, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

Really? Thank god the bridge is where the good's at! An I the only one finds that the ric is like a jaz in the sense that the tone sounds scooped if u crank both the pickups?

It does tend to sound a little scooped to me as well... I personally do not like both p'ups up full, but rather one or the other backed off slightly... I also tend to use the neck p'up more than the "treble" pickup...

I may need to get another Rick so I can set one up for a more treble-y sound with RWs, and the other for a more "vintage" sound with flats...

Great basses! But they are slightly more "quirky" than other basses. Once you learn how to set them up, however, they will definitely deliver!!

Sartori · #22 02-04-2013, 04:40 AM

It definitely sounds a bit scooped if you crank both pickups, at least in some areas of the mids.

I hardly ever do that, though. I generally only use each pickup on its own. Bridge for loud, aggressive sound, and neck for quieter, more subtle sounds.

Kopfjaeger · #23 02-04-2013, 05:26 AM

Yes, newer neck and treble pup pole pieces are adjustable. A very nice feature! Just please never, never, attempt to adjust a slotted pole piece treble pup on a early 70's RIC!!

Sepp

PaulBoyer · #24 02-04-2013, 07:05 AM

To clarify, the RIC high-gain pickups with the hexagonal indents in the tops of the poles (since 2006) are adjustable. Just use an Allen wrench. The others (dome topped or slotted) are NOT adjustable.

RickenBoogie · #25 02-04-2013, 07:19 AM

+1 don't crank both pups on full. Back off just a tad on one or the other. You'll hear it. Just a wee decrease. And, +1 for joeysbassnotes.com He's a certified Ric Master, and the info on his site is invaluable.

BrandonBass · #26 02-04-2013, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

+1 don't crank both pups on full. Back off just a tad on one or the other. You'll hear it. Just a wee decrease. And, +1 for joeysbassnotes.com He's a certified Ric Master, and the info on his site is invaluable.

Also I find that the bridge pickup is significantly hotter than the neck pickup when set to similar height. So much so that this is what happens:

For example if I have dimed all my knobs, in the bridge position is a loud growly tone. In the neck position is a softer Pbass type tone. In the middle position I get a scooped jazz bass type tone. However if I just back off the neck pickup just alittle bit in the position it sounds like just the bridge position. So much so that if I toggle between the middle and bridge position it sounds similar even though my neck pickup is still 3/4 full in mid position.

It bugs me abit since it would be nice to have a Pbass like tone wih even volume as the bridge pickup.

I wonder if anyone does this on their rick. Some led Paul guitarist like to set one pickup to full and the other to zero so the switch acts like a kill switch and with distortion u can get some cool sound

guymanndude1 · #27 02-04-2013, 07:42 AM

Mine is the domed pole piece pick up 2004 model. I didn't know that the 2006 and up were adjustable, learn something new everyday.

guymanndude1 · #28 02-04-2013, 07:52 AM

Btw, I don't understand what is happening with the wiring that causes this. Take the pickup selector and turn off the neck pickup, the grab the bass volume knob and roll it back slightly. The output of the bass will go up about 3dBs. Used to own a 4001 years ago, it did that, my 4003 does it too.
I've never tried it with a 4001s, or a 4003s, since they're only mono wired.

Sartori · #29 02-04-2013, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

Also I find that the bridge pickup is significantly hotter than the neck pickup when set to similar height. So much so that this is what happens:

For example if I have dimed all my knobs, in the bridge position is a loud growly tone. In the neck position is a softer Pbass type tone. In the middle position I get a scooped jazz bass type tone. However if I just back off the neck pickup just alittle bit in the position it sounds like just the bridge position. So much so that if I toggle between the middle and bridge position it sounds similar even though my neck pickup is still 3/4 full in mid position.

It bugs me abit since it would be nice to have a Pbass like tone wih even volume as the bridge pickup.

I wonder if anyone does this on their rick. Some led Paul guitarist like to set one pickup to full and the other to zero so the switch acts like a kill switch and with distortion u can get some cool sound

I actually like that the neck pickup is lower output (substantially lower, since mine is a toaster pickup) than the bridge one.

I don't want even volume when I switch between pickups, because that would undermine what I use the two pickups for.

The bridge pickup I use for loud portions of songs, whereas the neck pickup I use only for quiet sections, or whole quiet songs.

BrandonBass · #30 02-04-2013, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sartori

I actually like that the neck pickup is lower output (substantially lower, since mine is a toaster pickup) than the bridge one.

I don't want even volume when I switch between pickups, because that would undermine what I use the two pickups for.

The bridge pickup I use for loud portions of songs, whereas the neck pickup I use only for quiet sections, or whole quiet songs.

Wouldn't it be better if it is of the same volume, so that u can play with a soft touch if the song calls for it?

Immigrant · #31 02-04-2013, 02:45 PM

I don't like Sprite. I really like Coca Cola a lot. It's pretty much the only pop I drink.

I like dogs if they belong to someone else, the yappy teacup dogs that live on my block being the exception. I hate them. But I've never met a cat that I didn't like, and they all like me also.

Weird. People buy Rics and complain about them but still hang on to them. Duh. If you don't like your Ric, sell it. I did yet still GAS for one that I'll never get. Oh well.

Sartori · #32 02-04-2013, 05:39 PM

I'm the opposite of Immigrant as far as animals. I like my dog, but am wary of other peoples' dogs to some degree, and I've never met a cat I liked.

Sartori · #33 02-04-2013, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

Wouldn't it be better if it is of the same volume, so that u can play with a soft touch if the song calls for it?

Maybe because I like my way of doing it and I find that the softer sections, in addition to calling for an overall quieter sound, also tend to need less treble, and less overdrive. Switching to the neck pickup for this works really well.

My overdrive is from my amp, so generally, the neck pickup, since it's lower output, will be much cleaner. Bridge pickup: grindy, nasty tone. Neck pickup: 'fluffy' tone.

Why should I do something different when what I'm doing works really well for me?

There are a few times when I leave it on the bridge pickup and just play more softly, but this is more of a "medium" between the two extremes (neck pickup I usually play softly when I'm using).

BrandonBass · #34 02-05-2013, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Immigrant

I don't like Sprite. I really like Coca Cola a lot. It's pretty much the only pop I drink.

I like dogs if they belong to someone else, the yappy teacup dogs that live on my block being the exception. I hate them. But I've never met a cat that I didn't like, and they all like me also.

Weird. People buy Rics and complain about them but still hang on to them. Duh. If you don't like your Ric, sell it. I did yet still GAS for one that I'll never get. Oh well.

Well, just because I bought and like a particular bass doesn't necessarily mean I feel that it is flawless. Plus, this is the first rick I've owned and I wouldn't have any idea if this issue as a norm or is it an exception. Not everyday do u come across basses e uneven pickup output.

I hope one day u will be able to finally afford a rick , and when u do I hope that it is perfect for u : ))

PaulBoyer · #35 02-05-2013, 07:07 AM

Also consider that you can adjust the height of the pickup relative to the strings. There's not much room for adjustment on the neck pickup, but lots of room on the bridge pickup. You can also tilt the pickups a bit with uneven adjustment of the height screws, and on the newer pickups, you can adjust the height of the individual poles. In all, lots of space for dialing in the response you like.

Bubba Ghanoosh · #36 02-05-2013, 10:05 PM

...were you able to adjust the pole piece?
I had a similar problem. I just had to apply more torque to loosen it.
Just make sure the allen key is fully inserted. You don't want to round out the hole.

Immigrant · #37 02-06-2013, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

Well, just because I bought and like a particular bass doesn't necessarily mean I feel that it is flawless. Plus, this is the first rick I've owned and I wouldn't have any idea if this issue as a norm or is it an exception. Not everyday do u come across basses e uneven pickup output.

I hope one day u will be able to finally afford a rick , and when u do I hope that it is perfect for u : ))

Mmm. I said I had one and sold it because it wasn't for me. I still like them, I just choose not to own one.

foderaman · #38 02-06-2013, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

I just got a new 2011 rick and...

Its wierd, using my 3/32 allen key I was able to adjust the A and D string pole pieces on the neck pickup. However, the E and G string's pole pieces just wouldnt budge! Help please....

also, its a pain to find the correct tool for its truss rod adjustment

I have a 2012 4003 and had the same problem at first with the Pole on the E and G string on the neck PUP where very hard to loosen.You will need to use extra pressure and they will loosen but this is only on the newer ones.If you want to get the Neck pickup closer Classic PUP,s sell a pickup surround that is taller and the pickup sets up higher so it will adjust closer to the strings.I think they sell for like 12-15 and plus shipping for anyone that wants to get Neck Pickup closer to strings.