73' Rick, what to do.

[Reptileroundabo]

Long story short, I picked up a 1973 Rickenbacker 4001 on a trade with the intention of trading it off. Well, It is the best playing and fitting bass I have ever owned. That's saying a lot considering the list of basses I have owned. I have never been a big Rick fan, but this has changed that. The problem I am having is, do i go back to original with it, or keep it as is.

It has the original pickups and pots that appear to have not been touched other than a few wires being replaced. pickguard, truss rod cover and finish all appear to be original as well.

The tuners are old schallers, the bridge is a Badass (not a II or a III). and obviously the bridge pickup cover is not original but it matches the cover around the bridge. Usually I would hop on ebay and find the correct parts. The dilemma being all the aftermarket parts seem to be period correct, and from what i have been told about this particular bass, were installed when this was nearly new (something tells me a Geddy fan owned this bass). I really do like the look of it, gives it some originality in a world full of jet glo vintage Ricks.

If you owned this Rick, what would you do? (BTW, i am running it through an ashly SC-40 preamp, a match made in heaven)

 

[stacker]

Changing the bridge will change the tone so you may want to keep that. I'd put the original rear pup surround back, though.

 

[paranoid30]

That pickup cover is rather ugly, actually... assuming that it's been installed using the original holes, I would probably look for a regular rick cover. Or create a new one, but better than this one I wouldn't touch the bridge, it affects the tone and it doesn't look bad, so keep it.

 

[Reptileroundabo]

I think i may agree about the pickup cover, there is one from a 73 on ebay for $99. i may have to pick that up.

 

[Fishheadjoe]

I agree, replace the p/u surround and also consider doing the cap bypass mod and you will have a pretty versatile bass.
Fishheadjoe

 

[Jaco Taco]

Keep the Badass bridge, those are good.
Get a new pickup cover for the bridge pickup, that looks like crap.
Get a new dial for the Bass volume pot so it goes along with the others.
DON'T CHANGE anything inside the bass! Don't add the dorky cap bypass switch or any of that. Keep the bass sounding the way it sounds, keep it a traditional Ric tone, especially since you like it.

 

[godofthunder59]

Agreed, just get a pickup surround and a knob and call it done!

 

[RickC]

If I had that bass I wouldn't change a thing. It looks mean

 

[Gilmourisgod]

A Hipshot Ric-style bridge would be more functional than the original, but look more classic. Use the Badass on something else or sell it. Ditto on the treble pickup ring. Hard to find them as separate assemblies as Rick doesn't sell them that way anymore.
Genuine Rickenbacker Parts - Rickenbacker Pickups - Rickenbacker Bass Pickups - Pick of the Ricks LLC

 

[Runlikegregg]

why fix what isn't broken? If you love it now, don;t change a thingh.
I had a '77 that had some aftermarket parts on it, and I loved it as is.
Later on I sold it to someone that put all the original things back on it, I had the chance to play it again after that had been done and the bass was ruined in my opinion. It didn't sound or play half as well as it once did.

If you love it as is, leave it as is.

 

[Spinal Tapper]

If you love it, leave it alone and play the crap out of it.

Personally, I'd probably change out the tuners because they look kinda wimpy, but that's more of an aesthetic thing to me.

 

[imdkoz]

If it plays and sounds great leave it. But if it were mine I'd change out the pickup surround. I just traded for a 74 4001 and it's amazing! My first Rick and now probably my new main player. Funny how things go sometimes. Here's mine.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

If it plays and sounds great leave it. But if it were mine I'd change out the pickup surround. I just traded for a 74 4001 and it's amazing! My first Rick and now probably my new main player. Funny how things go sometimes. Here's mine.

Is that a original Ric, or a lawsuit era Japanese bass? The body shape looks a little different somehow where the horns meet the neck. Ric made a lot of little tweaks with body and headstock shape over the years, so maybe it's just the photo. Killer looking bass either way, dig the all black look.

 

[imdkoz]

Is that a original Ric, or a lawsuit era Japanese bass? The body shape looks a little different somehow where the horns meet the neck. Ric made a lot of little tweaks with body and headstock shape over the years, so maybe it's just the photo. Killer looking bass either way, dig the all black look.

Thanks! It's an original 74. It even has the red dot side markers on the neck. It could be the filter I used to try and blur out the background.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Man the Ric bridge sucks terribly. I mean, several people on TB are recommending you actually KEEP the BA over a stock bridge... that would never happen in a Fender thread.

 

[Reptileroundabo]

Slick rick for sure imdkoz.

 

[Reptileroundabo]

Man the Ric bridge sucks terribly. I mean, several people on TB are recommending you actually KEEP the BA over a stock bridge... that would never happen in a Fender thread.

HAHA, I have always been a fan of the BA bridges, sustain for DAAAYS on this bass. I know for a fact that is staying. Good thing too, the only complete period correct stock bridges i can find are over $300.

 

[The Bass Clef]

I would get all the original parts for it and just use what you want and keep the rest in the case (I would definitely put some original tuners and P/U cover back on myself). Then at least you'll have the option to put it back to all original parts if you ever sell it. And the parts aren't likely going to get any cheaper than they are right now.

 

[Gaolee]

I don't even like black instruments (except pianos), but I would be all over that one. If it was my bass, I wouldn't change a thing, not even the goofy pickup ring.

 

[imdkoz]

Slick rick for sure imdkoz.

Thanks Rep! Enjoy your bad a$$ Rick!