Just got a rick, any suggestions?

[Morosini]

I recently bought a used 2011 4001 (not 4003, for some reason) Rickenbacker bass. I got it at norms, and I instantly fell in love with it. It recently arrived in the mail and I've been playing it to poopie. It's a great instrument, and probably already my favorite bass. Any suggestion on what pedals, amp settings, hell even mods (I know, heretical) that apply to a great rick sound? I'm going for a "Permanent Waves" tone, but I seem to lack the lower frequencies, but other than that it sounds like a million bucks.

 

[gwangi]

Just so you know if your Rickenbacker is a 2011 it is definitely not a 4001, it's a 4003, they stopped making 4001 Ric's in the early 80's roughly.

 

[Morosini]

Just so you know if your Rickenbacker is a 2011 it is definitely not a 4001, it's a 4003, they stopped making 4001 Ric's in the early 80's roughly.

Ok. Most likely a 4003, as I'm sure the store owner is too boomer to realize.

 

[Garret Graves]

What Gwangi said is true-4003.

 

[gwangi]

Or unless it's the reissue 4001C64 or 4001C64S that was a type of reissue that Rickenbacker doesn't make anymore.

 

[Garret Graves]

Lack of bottom end? Make sure the rear most knob is pushed in- it pulls out for a brighter tone, the 4001 tone. I find that the 4003 has plenty of bottom end with the treble tone circuit pushed in, for sure!

 

[Yogi Bear]

As far as mods... and this may be heresy, but I would look at a hipshot replacement bridge. Much sturdier than the stock ric bridge, and much easier to intonate!

 

[jeff62]

My suggestion? Start saving your cash for the next one you’ll want

 

[king_biscuit]

Just play it for a while and get used to it. Rics are quirky unique basses and I wouldn't modify anything.

 

[Diamond_Dave]

the store owner is too boomer to realize.

Geddy Lee is a boomer, so that makes his Permanent Waves tone boomer too.

 

[MrLenny1]

Roto Sound strings and black tape wounds for mods as needed.

 

[dkelley]

Turn the bass control up on your amp. They actually are pretty bright basses. The neck pickup maybe isn't as high output as your bridge pickup on it? Not sure if it's height is adjustable, but maybe you could raise neck pickup height a bit? But yea, just turn up the bass knob on your amp and love that baby

 

[Skillet]

You've got two separate volume and tone knobs. With both pickups selected, you can dial in many different sounds by varying the mix between the two pickups.

 

[Gustopher]

Ok. Most likely a 4003, as I'm sure the store owner is too boomer to realize.

Damn I hate this phrase. I’m not a boomer, I’m gen-x but this condescending term annoys the piss out of me.

 

[Bikeguy57]

Ok. Most likely a 4003, as I'm sure the store owner is too boomer to realize.

Your young superior genius didn't even know what you bought!

 

[Bboopbennie]

Get rid of the pickup cover if you want to hand mute the strings. Neck is not very robust, so lighter gage strings
work out better. Bridge/ saddle are crap, but hey YOU own a Rick !

4001 Rick- 1974 HI -A Pickup @ bridge

 

[red_rhino]

Ok. Most likely a 4003, as I'm sure the store owner is too boomer to realize.

LOL! Dude, I think you just insulted 80% of TalkBass! WTG!

 

[Dave Leighton]

Ok. Most likely a 4003, as I'm sure the store owner is too boomer to realize.

Don't quite know what his age has to do with it. Might want to learn how to move through life with a bit of grace. It will serve you well... Signed a Boomer

 

[donahue]

What Ric? I don't see any pics. I'm calling BS

 

[donahue]

Get rid of the pickup cover if you want to hand mute the strings. Neck is not very robust, so lighter gage strings
work out better. Bridge/ saddle are crap, but hey YOU own a Rick !

4001 Rick- 1974 HI -A Pickup @ bridge
View attachment 3716082

If you ever want to sell that old lefty please let me know. I have a kidney available (who needs two?)