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R.I.P. 4004 Series basses
- Thread starter Jeff Scott
- Start date
Never been a fan of the 4004 aesthetic, but this one is sweet!
I saw him play it live a couple different shows, and it sometimes got lost in the mix. But when you heard it, a very "smooth" sounding tone.
I also saw him change up from this bass to a Jack Casady, and the latter was a lot more present and lively. Of course, I also saw Manny of Stone Roses with Primal Scream, he sounded great on his signature short scale Ric but when he switched to his Jack -- a hollow body -- it was feedback city. So as always, EQ counts.
I hate to see any bass, especially one that’s been around for so long, be discontinued. But, in all my years of going to concerts, clubs, bars, etc... I’ve never seen a single bassist even play a Ric. I only know one person that owns one.
Edit: to touch on this, I’m not hating on them at all. I think they sound and look awesome.
Edit: to touch on this, I’m not hating on them at all. I think they sound and look awesome.
Didn't realize there was a difference in terminology. Is the difference just what it sounds like?
Set necks are glued on, a neck-thru means it goes all the way to the tailpiece.
Seems like you’re hoarding the market.. seriously, that’s a really nice collection.
Some facts (whaaaat? We have to deal with FACTS now?).
Ben Hall at RIC reports on the Rickenbacker Resource Forum that: "The 4004 is just on hiatus for a short time. We have some adjustments to make to it. Yes, the HB's will stay." (HB's = humbuckers).
ALL the 4004 series are neck through, meaning that the central plank of the instrument's construction runs from the butt end behind the bridge through to top of the headstock. To it are glued the fingerboard, body "wings" and headstock "wings."
A "set neck" instrument (and yes, Rick has made some in the past) have a separate neck that is glued into a pocket in the top end of the body assembly. The neck can be removed, but not easily, so leave it to the professionals.
A "bolt-on" neck (and yes, Rick has made some of them in the past, too) has a separate neck that is fastened to the body usually with wood screws and can be removed and replaced easily.
The original design of the 4004 series, the 4004C Cheyenne and 4004L Laredo, both started in 1992 and had the neck (bass) pickup up against the fingerboard. The cavity cut for the neck pickup provided access to the acorn nuts of the truss rods in case one should fail. In 1999, RIC modified the design of both models by moving the pickups "south" a bit to take advantage of tonal nodes. However they did not provide access to the rods at the body end. When (at least) one failed, the only way they could access the rods was by pulling off the fingerboard. So they rethought the design and returned the position of the pickups to the original positions sometime in 2004.
Class dismissed.
Ben Hall at RIC reports on the Rickenbacker Resource Forum that: "The 4004 is just on hiatus for a short time. We have some adjustments to make to it. Yes, the HB's will stay." (HB's = humbuckers).
ALL the 4004 series are neck through, meaning that the central plank of the instrument's construction runs from the butt end behind the bridge through to top of the headstock. To it are glued the fingerboard, body "wings" and headstock "wings."
A "set neck" instrument (and yes, Rick has made some in the past) have a separate neck that is glued into a pocket in the top end of the body assembly. The neck can be removed, but not easily, so leave it to the professionals.
A "bolt-on" neck (and yes, Rick has made some of them in the past, too) has a separate neck that is fastened to the body usually with wood screws and can be removed and replaced easily.
The original design of the 4004 series, the 4004C Cheyenne and 4004L Laredo, both started in 1992 and had the neck (bass) pickup up against the fingerboard. The cavity cut for the neck pickup provided access to the acorn nuts of the truss rods in case one should fail. In 1999, RIC modified the design of both models by moving the pickups "south" a bit to take advantage of tonal nodes. However they did not provide access to the rods at the body end. When (at least) one failed, the only way they could access the rods was by pulling off the fingerboard. So they rethought the design and returned the position of the pickups to the original positions sometime in 2004.
Class dismissed.
Some facts (whaaaat? We have to deal with FACTS now?).
Ben Hall at RIC reports on the Rickenbacker Resource Forum that: "The 4004 is just on hiatus for a short time. We have some adjustments to make to it. Yes, the HB's will stay." (HB's = humbuckers).
ALL the 4004 series are neck through, meaning that the central plank of the instrument's construction runs from the butt end behind the bridge through to top of the headstock. To it are glued the fingerboard, body "wings" and headstock "wings."
A "set neck" instrument (and yes, Rick has made some in the past) have a separate neck that is glued into a pocket in the top end of the body assembly. The neck can be removed, but not easily, so leave it to the professionals.
A "bolt-on" neck (and yes, Rick has made some of them in the past, too) has a separate neck that is fastened to the body usually with wood screws and can be removed and replaced easily.
The original design of the 4004 series, the 4004C Cheyenne and 4004L Laredo, both started in 1992 and had the neck (bass) pickup up against the fingerboard. The cavity cut for the neck pickup provided access to the acorn nuts of the truss rods in case one should fail. In 1999, RIC modified the design of both models by moving the pickups "south" a bit to take advantage of tonal nodes. However they did not provide access to the rods at the body end. When (at least) one failed, the only way they could access the rods was by pulling off the fingerboard. So they rethought the design and returned the position of the pickups to the original positions sometime in 2004.
Class dismissed.
Thanks, Paul!
(apple left on the desk...)
KBD - too bad the 4004 is no longer. Based on your recommendation, and others, I was going to get a 4004, versus a 4003 - if, and when, I had the $$$.
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