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My Rickenbacker Modification Project

#341
Ric5 said:
Not much chance of that
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lol, that's an understatement!

IMO, they do certain things and they do them well. I think they are probably comfortable with their existing product line and are not looking to dabble in the sort of niche markets that my modded bass would be appealing to.

I do feel they have significant room for improvment in the 4003 & 4004 series though. Multiple faults exist that could be corrected w/ little impact to the look & heritage of the instrument.

(Disclaimer - THE ABOVE IS NOT EXPRESSED AS FACT. IT IS A REPRESENTATION OF THE OPINIONS OF THE AUTHUR. IF THE ABOVE HAS OFFENDED ANYONE, THIS IS TRULY UNINTENTIONAL. A REQUEST FOR APOLOGY CAN BE FILED WITH THE OFFICES OF J HUD & J HUD AT THE OFFENDEE'S LEISURE MON - FRI 9AM - 5PM CST).
 
#345
Craig_S said:
It sounds good on it's own. With the last tone you used in the video, I would be concerned about it turning into nothing but low end in a band mix. I think you did a fine job with the mods, as far as aesthetics are concerned.
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Thanks man. We'll see. It is basically a punchy mid-scooped growly tone and in my experience that sort of tone will present itself in the mix in a way that suits me perfectly. For example, that same type of tone is in our song "Let You Go" and I couldn't be happier with it and how it sits in the mix.

You can check out that tune here - Link Removed

BUT, if it does get lost, I have the ability to bring the mids up via the Aguilar 3-band to counter it.

Very good point though! We'll see I suppose. I won't be taking it to rehearsal until Thurs evening and that will obvioulsy be the real test.
 
#351
Metal Mitch said:
I'm not a Stingray fan, but I approve of anything that sends the sacred cows to the slaughterhouse.

Tried watching the youtube vid... it's just darkness, hiss, and mic bumping. Can't hear a word you're saying. But I got the point from the photos.

Well done!
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If you skip ahead on the video you can hear the bass :) The last 3 min or so is pretty much just the bass.

Thanks for the kind words by the way!
 
#352
I understand that it's your bass and the sound you want, but to me it's like you sucked all the life out of the instrument. A Ric has a tone of its own, and it's a damn good tone too. The new tone you're getting can be had on so many other basses.


For me, the bass will never sing again.
 
#353
I<34080 said:
I understand that it's your bass and the sound you want, but to me it's like you sucked all the life out of the instrument. A Ric has a tone of its own, and it's a damn good tone too. The new tone you're getting can be had on so many other basses.


For me, the bass will never sing again.
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J Hud said:
I have always loved the look and feel of the 4001/4003 Rics, but I personally have never been a fan of the infamous Ric “sound”.
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Maybe the tone he's getting can be easily reproduced on other basses, but loving the feel and look of the instrument but not the sound is reason enough to mod it. Lots of people buy instruments.
If there's something not that good in it but the other features are smokin', they can mod it. Look at all the modded Fenders and Gibsons and Squiers and Ibanezes out there...
Why should altering a Rickenbacker be any different? It's just a bass, for god's sake, not the holy grail or your grandfather's ashes.
 
#354
I<34080 said:
I understand that it's your bass and the sound you want, but to me it's like you sucked all the life out of the instrument. A Ric has a tone of its own, and it's a damn good tone too. The new tone you're getting can be had on so many other basses.


For me, the bass will never sing again.
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i agree completely.
 
#355
Although J Hud could achieve a similar sound on other basses, they wouldn't have the Ric look or feel which he desires, as stated in his first posting.

I have always loved the look and feel of the 4001/4003 Rics, but I personally have never been a fan of the infamous Ric “sound”.
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I owned an '82 4001 for ten years, which I picked up for £400 in 1992 and it just lost out to my 1998 '62 US Jazz Reissue at the time of selling (through necessity). That said, I would dearly love another Ric now.

J Hud - I love what you've done with it, aestheticially and sonically. I actually prefer its current white pickguard/black metal pup cover combination - it's rather striking.
 
#356
Marco A. Mayer said:
Maybe the tone he's getting can be easily reproduced on other basses, but loving the feel and look of the instrument but not the sound is reason enough to mod it. Lots of people buy instruments.
If there's something not that good in it but the other features are smokin', they can mod it.
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True, and I'd be hard pressed to think of another bass that feels anything like a rick. My friend's Bongo is the comfiest neck I've played that wasn't a Rick or a rick copy.
 
#358
hankazoid said:
Jhud - you did an awesome job! The bass looks great and sounds awesome. I wish I had your skills both with modding and playing!

In your hands the thing is gonna be singing quite beautifully.

Great job.

And forget about all the Rickenbitches.
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Thanks for the kind words brother!

Regarding this project's apparent “opponents”, I stopped sweatin' their “disapproval” about 10 pages ago. They, like I, are entitled to their opinions and preferences. More power to ‘em.

Regarding the bass, I dig it and it sounds perfect TO ME. With that, I’ll just keep on truckin’.
 
#360
J Hud said:
Just finished up the soldering and final fitting and now have this thing fully assembled. Here a few pics of it in all it's controversial glory.

Love, hate, lothe, admire, whatever. Fire away!

I am quite pleased with the way it turned out and, even more importantly, the way it sounds. I've just run it direct into the board here in our studio and it sounds much closer to my taste than the original specs did.

I'll get some audio up or a youtube video for ya'll to check out tomorrow.

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I would put a hipshot Ric replacement bridge on that bass. It would make palm muting and intonation a LOT easier.

Also it is good you put the pickups in assymetrically to favor the E string. This is a good trick to get better low E volume on the Ric bass.
 

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