R.I.P. 4004 Series basses

[farace]

I have two 4004's and one 4003. I like both - the only reservation I had about the 4004's are that you probably need round wound strings on them unless you want a really boomy vintage sound all the time.

No personal experience, but I've read where other 4004 owners have stated that putting pots with proper specs in the harness will bring out the brightness. If (when!) I ever get a 4004 I'll definitely consider getting one of Dane's harnesses.

 

[Tony In Philly]

No personal experience, but I've read where other 4004 owners have stated that putting pots with proper specs in the harness will bring out the brightness. If (when!) I ever get a 4004 I'll definitely consider getting one of Dane's harnesses.

You're right - the pots do yield a pretty dark sound. With bright rounds, however, they have a reasonable trade-off in that respect. The thing is, I'm getting tired of rounds because they go dead so quickly. That's why I'm looking at long lasting EB Cobalts on this one. Should be an interesting experiment.

 

[woodyng2]

You're right - the pots do yield a pretty dark sound. With bright rounds, however, they have a reasonable trade-off in that respect. The thing is, I'me getting tired of rounds because they go dead so quickly. That's why I'm looking at long lasting EB Cobalts on this one. Should be an interesting experiment.

The pot/cap change makes a YUGE difference in how the HB1's sound.
I have flats on 3 of my 5 4004's. (Original Rick/Maxima flats on my '00 Laredo,which is the only one of my basses I haven't touched the electronics in,but i think the laquered maple fretboard and lowered pickup positions brighten the sound quite a bit.) My cheyenne has Labella White coppercore tapewounds,and my defretted Cii has Optima RB flats,but i think i'm going to be switching to Chromes on that bass pretty soon.
As for roundwounds,i have Kalium balanced tension hybrid strings on both of my custom Laredos,and can't recommend them highly enough. One set has been on for well over 6 years.
I briefly had a set of ghs pressurewounds on one of the Laredos,and thought they sounded and felt fantastic.

 

[mapleglo]

The pot/cap change makes a YUGE difference in how the HB1's sound.

+1

 

[Jeff Scott]

...For what it's worth I use TI flats on the 4003 and they sound amazing - just like the old Ric Electro flats from back in the 70's. Apparently, John Hall highly recommends them too, and that is saying something given his acerbic attitude most of the time.

TI Jazz Flats sound great on my stock 4004L, changed out pots not required, IME. But, we all hear things differently so YMMV, as usual.

No personal experience, but I've read where other 4004 owners have stated that putting pots with proper specs in the harness will bring out the brightness...

See my above comment. The Cii may be a different story, as from my experience, the walnut sandwiched body does make the pickups sound a bit darker compared to the Laredo.

 

[Korladis]

Those look really weird - where did you find that photo? They don't resemble anything on the Ric site or the big catalog sites. Are they some new kind of 4003S? I certainly hope not.


EDIT: Oooops - never mind - found it:

Rickenbacker Unveils the 2018 4003S/5 5-String Bass

I personally find the whole concept of a 5-string Ric rather revolting, but then again to each his own.

Why?

 

[Tony In Philly]

Why?

It's such a classic late 50's / early 60's design - so California retro. I just don't like the 5-string stamp placed on it; it almost seems out of place.

 

[Korladis]

It's such a classic late 50's / early 60's design - so California retro. I just don't like the 5-string stamp placed on it; it almost seems out of place.

What stamp?

Do you have a problem with Fender making 5-string Precisions and Jazzes?

Also, you know there have been 5-string Rickenbackers before, right?

 

[Tony In Philly]

Yes - I know about the Fender fivers. I don't care much for them either.

And yes, I know there have been previous attempts at Ric fivers. I have Paul Boyer's Ric book (highly recommended).

To me, the extra string changes the visual character of the basses. And I didn't even mention those new, strange looking pickups.

But if you like them, then my preferences are irrelevant.

 

[basmansam]

I have a S5 MG on order. I think they look great!!

 

[farace]

I think the new pickup look takes some getting used to, but will grow on people. I think it echoes the truss rod cover and the slash soundhole in the guitars. In my head it also evokes boomerang Formica, so I think it fits well with the '50s retro thing. (Maybe they should use boomerang Formica for a pickguard.)

 

[basmansam]

I think it would look better without a pickguard.

 

[woodyng2]

I think it would look better without a pickguard.

Kinda hoping they will do a Laredo 5-string like that.
(Not because i want a 5-string,just want to see what it would look like without the pickguard.)

 

[Tony In Philly]

Just swapping out the volume and tone controls for the correct values solves any sound quality issues with the 4004. Mine was pretty dark prior to the swap. Now it's a Ric.

What ohm replacement pots did you put in instead? Just curious.

 

[basmansam]

I put 500k pots in my 4004, sounds awesome like ric should!!

 

[mapleglo]

Yup, 500k does the trick.

 

[Tony In Philly]

I put 500k pots in my 4004, sounds awesome like ric should!!

Yup, 500k does the trick.

Did you keep the .047 cap or use something different?

 

[willsellout]

I can't wait to hear some good demos. God knows Ric wouldn't dare do one...

 

[mapleglo]

Did you keep the .047 cap or use something different?

No cap as I did not use any tone control. I have volume and blend, and the switch goes from hum bucker to single coil.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I can't wait to hear some good demos. God knows Ric wouldn't dare do one...

Which model/s are wanting a demo recording of?