Rickenbacker 4003S to 4000 conversion

[sanroman]

To the Rickenbacker experts out there:

I have a 4003S (from 1995). If I wanted to convert it into a 4000 (I just LOVE the way they look and sound), what would be the best way to do it?

Of course, it would still be a neck through, and that's ok. I could buy a 4000 pickguard and rewire the bridge pickup to the single volume and tone knobs. The problem is, the bridge pickup on my bass sounds NOTHING like the 4000's I've heard! Mine sounds throaty and "midrangy", while the 4000's sound rich and full, almost like they have both pickups on..

Any thoughts?!

* Thank you in advance! You're helping a dream come true.
** I'm sorry if this has been discussed before. I looked, but couldn't find the information I was looking for.

 

[Jeff Scott]

PM sent.

 

[sanroman]

Any other thoughts?
Thanks!

 

[lowendblues]

I did this years ago with a 4001. The big thing I noticed was how the bridge pickup came alive after I removed the neck pickup.

I also used a custom 4000 wiring harness from Aceonbass. Contact him. Great guy.

| eBay

 

[sanroman]

I did this years ago with a 4001. The big thing I noticed was how the bridge pickup came alive after I removed the neck pickup.

I also used a custom 4000 wiring harness from Aceonbass. Contact him. Great guy.

| eBay

Wow, interesting! That's great information! Never heard of the bridge pickup changing its aspects when the neck pickup is removed.. maybe that's part of the trick!
I've always heard of how different the bridge pickup from the 4000 is from the 4003, something to do with the wiring/capacitor. Maybe even the pickup itself. That's what disencouraged me from simply removing the neck pickup. Finding a 4000 pickup for sale or even the original wiring is next to impossible.. Maybe this wiring you suggested could do the trick! I'll contact him.

Thanks a lot!

 

[Jeff Scott]

Wow, interesting! That's great information! Never heard of the bridge pickup changing its aspects when the neck pickup is removed.. maybe that's part of the trick!
I've always heard of how different the bridge pickup from the 4000 is from the 4003, something to do with the wiring/capacitor. Maybe even the pickup itself. That's what disencouraged me from simply removing the neck pickup. Finding a 4000 pickup for sale or even the original wiring is next to impossible.. Maybe this wiring you suggested could do the trick! I'll contact him.

Thanks a lot!

The bridge pickup would have been the same; the in-line capacitor makes most of the difference. Removing the neck pickup would certainly have an effect due to the magnetic attraction to the strings.