Need help with a 70s Ric copy (pics)

[BassCajon]

Got my hands on this last year. after a major setup, it plays beautifully and the neck pickup sounds amazing, but it needs a bridge pickup.
I can install it myself, but i'm not too up on Rics.
Will any Rickenbacker styled 4001/4003 bridge pickup work? Will i need any other parts? Any other advice or history?
I think it's either an Ibanez or maybe a Greco.
Really nails the Chris Squier sound.

Thanks!

 

[Deathblade Eric]

Can't help with the pickups (Jason Lollar was doing horseshoes, but he's embroiled in a court case with Ric over that at the moment), but the neckplate is a 99.99% indicator that it's from the Matsumoku factory, i.e. it's an Aria.

Link to the page in the 1977 Aria Pro II catalogue:

http://www.matsumoku.org/models/ariaproii/catalogs/77_lclsst/77_lc-ls-st_pg7.jpg.html

Pete.

 

[Groove Doctor]

^ "body-penetrating neck.... unbreakable metal jack plate".
Engrish. :lol:

+1 Matsumoko. Ibanez, Aria, Greco, etc. plenty of threads here on TB.

I recently got an almost identical Ric copy from that era labelled Gonzales (written on tip of headstock). Can't give any advice on pickups(yet), but enjoy it bro.

How heavy is yours? Mine is around 11lbs. Big thick sound.... Rounds + pick + OD = :yep

 

[Bobster]

Seymour Duncan makes a set, can't say how close they come to the originals.

http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/bass/rickenbacker/srb1_for_ricken/

I believe Bartolini makes a set as well. Found the link on their new website: http://www.bartolini.net/product-category/bass-pickup/4-string-bass-pickup/rickenbacker/

All the best,

Bob

 

[coronado3]

also joe barden makes a set. Look up JBE

 

[Groove Doctor]

Here's where to search....
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=...com&client=safari&hl=en&biw=320&bih=416&dpr=2

 

[Groove Doctor]

http://classicamplification.net/Pickups/Rick_pickup.htm

 

[BassCajon]

Thanks for all the greaT links. So i guess it's an Aria?
This is one of 3 Matsumoku basses that I have. (others are Univox Hi-flyer bass, and an Ibanez Silver series P) I wonder what created the decision for the blank truss-rod cover.
I'll read up..
I love this bass. I'd say it's moderately heavy but well balanced and a chunky neck. Most likely similar to yours, Groove Doc.
Also, ric source seems like a great place! I might register.
I hear the Duncan replacements are meant to be upgrades, not claiming to capture that exact Ric sound. I actually played a mid 2000's mapleglo 4003 with those Duncan replacements around 7 years ago and i remember loving that bass even though I didn't think i was a Ric guy at the time.
It's too bad i need to keep the cost down but I'm definitely keen on finding something soon.

 

[SirMjac28]

Not sure if this will fit? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Sey...847?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item4619b85a3f http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-RICKENB...958?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item58ab786fee

 

[Pet Sounds]

I have a Univox with Barts, and the neck PU is a split coil, so it sounds like a P-Bass. So keep that in mind.

 

[Ric5]

Here's 3 places to get real Ric pickups.

http://www.pickofthericks.com/categ...ckenbacker-Pickups/Rickenbacker-Bass-Pickups/

http://www.the-music-connection.com/ricpart.htm#pickups

http://boutique.rickenbacker.com/Pickups_c_12.html

Here's some replacement pickups that sound good ...

http://classicamplification.net/

You can also put a jazz pickup in there.

Avoid the Seymour Duncan and Bartolini Ric replacement pickup. They do not have a Ric tone at all.

 

[BassCajon]

You can also put a jazz pickup in there.

I guess you're right! I'm actually considering this.
But that would require me screwing the pickup into the body, being that I wouldn't have the bottom mounting plate right?
I actually have a few spare J bridge pickups.

 

[Iheartreverb]

I own a Ric copy and I am also looking to replace and upgrade parts.

Any pickup designed for a Ric will do.

The Duncan's are humbuckers and are pretty much hated by Ric fans although I can see where they would be useful.

The closest in terms of sound seem to be Classic Amplification and are priced well too.

If in USA but direct from Ric, if in UK try Rosetti.

Hope this helps

 

[edpal]

I guess you're right! I'm actually considering this.
But that would require me screwing the pickup into the body, being that I wouldn't have the bottom mounting plate right?
I actually have a few spare J bridge pickups.

I have a Chinese rickenfaker 5 string. I put a passive Jazz pickup in that was pulled from a new Jazz V. String spacing was a little wider than on an actual Ric(I think) so the Jazz pickup was perfect. Sounds so good I haven't dorked with the neck pickup yet - the original was atrocious. My plan is to maybe put two stripes of sticky back silver mylar(automobile detailing stripe) on the neck pickup so it look "Ric" from across the room. I have an Ibanez passive Cap pickup (curved top, from off an Ibby ATK) waiting for that - I tried it loosely in place, great sound.

Yeah, screw it into the body like the on a Fender - stick some foam underneath.
F.Y.I. - threw some Schaller roller saddles onto the original bent-plate bridge. The bridge plate was built to nicely not to use and I wanted to continue my black and silver/white trim theme.

 

[Ric5]

oooo ... very cool ... a 5 string rickenfaker

 

[Ric5]

I put a jazz pickup in my 1993 4004L5. The Seymour Duncan 1/4 pounder works good in a Rick. Although the one in the picture is the hot model. I later switched it out for a 1/4 pounder.

 

[Ric5]

I have a Chinese rickenfaker 5 string. I put a passive Jazz pickup in that was pulled from a new Jazz V. String spacing was a little wider than on an actual Ric(I think) so the Jazz pickup was perfect. Sounds so good I haven't dorked with the neck pickup yet - the original was atrocious. My plan is to maybe put two stripes of sticky back silver mylar(automobile detailing stripe) on the neck pickup so it look "Ric" from across the room. I have an Ibanez passive Cap pickup (curved top, from off an Ibby ATK) waiting for that - I tried it loosely in place, great sound.

Yeah, screw it into the body like the on a Fender - stick some foam underneath.
F.Y.I. - threw some Schaller roller saddles onto the original bent-plate bridge. The bridge plate was built to nicely not to use and I wanted to continue my black and silver/white trim theme.

So where can I get one of those?

 

[Ric5]

On this Fenderbird I also put a jazz pickup with a Ric surround.

 

[edpal]

So where can I get one of those?

I got it via DHgate. Not to derail so I'll be quick: Set neck appears to be maple one piece. truss rod seems to work nicely. Neck is Virtually same dimension to a Fender JAzz V - I actually contoured the treble side of the neck, making it about 1/8" narrower by time you got to body. Came with a white plastic truss rod cover with a Rickenbacker sticker on it. Body is either maple or alder. 8lb,12-13 oz. PAid $367, have another $250 in parts including Hipshot Black Ric tuners, the paisley pickguard and the Ibanez pickup($16 on ebay!). Obviously I'd have another $75-100 if I had to buy the Jazz pickup and Schaller roller saddles. Worth it for me, I don't like the neck pickup position on a real Ric and the sound does nothing for me in particular. This has a nice sound, very close to a Fender or Ibby with passives. Workmanship and fretjob were wonderful.

 

[edpal]

On this Fenderbird I also put a jazz pickup with a Ric surround.

Wow, that's a pretty bird!