... for the "Capacitor Bypass Surgery" procedure? I know a few of you guys have done the mod... which gague wire did you use? Thanks.
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Rickenbacker
- Thread starter nanook
- Start date
Jason off hand I don't know the gauge but I have a whole role of it at home I will post what guage it is when I get home tonight.....
I was just thinking about that "mute" position Bartolini pickup... Does a Rick really need extra defenition and top end? It´s already there in the first place! The problem with most of my Rickenbackers was that the bass and low mids were a bit weak. So was the output.
But, it would be intresting to try one out sometime.
Bad Link Removed
But, it would be intresting to try one out sometime.
Bad Link Removed
woo-hoo, back to the top! 
i pulled apart my 4003 the other night to do the capacitor bypass, but ya know what? - my 4003 is one of the new ones (1998) that doesn't have the cap installed. what a bummer! i was hoping for drastic change, but none came...
anyone had experience with fretless Ric models? how do they stack up against other fretless basses (sound and playability-wise)?
whoa!
i pulled apart my 4003 the other night to do the capacitor bypass, but ya know what? - my 4003 is one of the new ones (1998) that doesn't have the cap installed. what a bummer! i was hoping for drastic change, but none came...
anyone had experience with fretless Ric models? how do they stack up against other fretless basses (sound and playability-wise)?
whoa!
Well, I took apart my 76 Ric 4001 and did the capacitor bypass surgery, but the output of my treble pickup didn't change a bit. I am thinking now that my bridge pickup might need to be rewound or replaced. The neck pickup is super-loud and boomy, but the bridge pickup is just very, very weak... and there's a lot of hum when the bridge tone is turned up full.
Maybe I just need to take it in and have it looked over. What do you guys think? Funkster?
Maybe I just need to take it in and have it looked over. What do you guys think? Funkster?
Jason I'm stumped do you mean the bridge pup has even less volume now after the surgery?
How exactly did you do the surgery? I'll pop back hear in a little while.
How exactly did you do the surgery? I'll pop back hear in a little while.
Funkster...
The pickup does not have LESS voulume, just the SAME volume that it had all along. Since I bought it I have wanted to get it checked out, and thought that the bypass would be my answer, but I guess it is something more serious.
I followed your instructions for the bypass... removed the cap... put in a new jumper wire (cloth covered) from the middle leg of the selector switch (where one end of the cap was) and to the treble volume pot (where the other end of the cap was). I tried it a few different ways after that didn't seem to work, but none of the cofigurations did anything to the output. I really feel that the pickup is just near death...
The pickup does not have LESS voulume, just the SAME volume that it had all along. Since I bought it I have wanted to get it checked out, and thought that the bypass would be my answer, but I guess it is something more serious.
I followed your instructions for the bypass... removed the cap... put in a new jumper wire (cloth covered) from the middle leg of the selector switch (where one end of the cap was) and to the treble volume pot (where the other end of the cap was). I tried it a few different ways after that didn't seem to work, but none of the cofigurations did anything to the output. I really feel that the pickup is just near death...
After reading all the posts concerning the capacitor mod, I figured I'd give it a try on my '73 4001. Wow! In the past if I tried to select both pickups, I'd have to dial back the neck pickup as it would otherwise overwhelm the bridge pickup. Not anymore! Output from the bridge pup is smoking hot. Now if I use both pickups, I can open them both up wide. Bridge pup alone? Now I have to dial my amp volume back for the first time ever. I like this.
The original bridge pickup on mine died. There was a break in the coil winding apparently in the interior. That might be you're situation. You could have someone who knows pickups check it out. Maybe there's a break on the outside wrap that can fixed easily. Maybe not. My solution was to install new pickups from Bartolini. IMO, it was a great choice. Talk to them. Other companies do make Rick replacements and you can get new ones from Rickenbacker too, but the Barts are cool.
The original bridge pickup on mine died. There was a break in the coil winding apparently in the interior. That might be you're situation. You could have someone who knows pickups check it out. Maybe there's a break on the outside wrap that can fixed easily. Maybe not. My solution was to install new pickups from Bartolini. IMO, it was a great choice. Talk to them. Other companies do make Rick replacements and you can get new ones from Rickenbacker too, but the Barts are cool. [/B][/QUOTE]
Jason it sounds like you did everything to the T.
I quoted Brian cause it sounds like he's on the right track I have been told that the windings on RIC pickups are pretty fragile and thats just were I rest my thumb when I play mine, I better be careful.
I agree with Brian and I would take it to have it checked out by a worthy bass tech. Keep us informed on the outcome of your RIC and if there is anything else I can do for you let me know....
Funkster and Brian...
I went ahead and took my RIC into my local tech over lunch. He is very good so hopefully I will know what is going on by tomorrow afternoon. He plugged it in and right away noticed the strong buzz and weak output. I left the bypass in it and let him know that it was there. He had never heard of the mod, but said that it would work. I guess we will see...
Thanks for all the help so far, guys. I will keep you posted.
I went ahead and took my RIC into my local tech over lunch. He is very good so hopefully I will know what is going on by tomorrow afternoon. He plugged it in and right away noticed the strong buzz and weak output. I left the bypass in it and let him know that it was there. He had never heard of the mod, but said that it would work. I guess we will see...
Thanks for all the help so far, guys. I will keep you posted.
I have a question:
I hear alot of players say that Rics have a weak low end. I tried one in a music store once and thought it had a really strong, clear low end, especially with the neck p'up. I was plugging into a CXC/1015 Eden combo amp (300 watts). I really liked the neck, but I'm afraid that it won't get the low end I want. Maybe I just had the bass control turned up and the treble down that day in the store. I can't remember. Can anyone offer any comments? I was also wondering if Paul McCartney was using a Ric on tunes like "Paperback Writer" and "Day Tripper". I love the tone on those records. Any advice would be helpful, since I am shopping for my first quality bass.
thanks
I hear alot of players say that Rics have a weak low end. I tried one in a music store once and thought it had a really strong, clear low end, especially with the neck p'up. I was plugging into a CXC/1015 Eden combo amp (300 watts). I really liked the neck, but I'm afraid that it won't get the low end I want. Maybe I just had the bass control turned up and the treble down that day in the store. I can't remember. Can anyone offer any comments? I was also wondering if Paul McCartney was using a Ric on tunes like "Paperback Writer" and "Day Tripper". I love the tone on those records. Any advice would be helpful, since I am shopping for my first quality bass.
thanks
you won't find any shortage of low-end with a Ric, but it's "tuned" differently than most other basses...
by that i mean it's got a really hollow, treble-heavy "ringing" kind of sound, so quite often can sound a little brittle or mid-heavy when paired with some amps and cabinets. the sound is also it's (arguably) best feature - it's unique and it'll cut through everytime. it's nothing like a P-bass sound, which has a smoother bass response with a mellower mid-range.
as an example, i've just finished the weekly rehearsal with a vintage 50w tube head into an ampeg 410hlf (extra-low cabinet) and my 4003...(amp) bass control @ 9 o'clock, treble @ 3 o'clock, volume @ noon, full on everything on the bass, sweeeeeet...there was far too much low-end until i dialed out the bass on the amp.
by that i mean it's got a really hollow, treble-heavy "ringing" kind of sound, so quite often can sound a little brittle or mid-heavy when paired with some amps and cabinets. the sound is also it's (arguably) best feature - it's unique and it'll cut through everytime. it's nothing like a P-bass sound, which has a smoother bass response with a mellower mid-range.
as an example, i've just finished the weekly rehearsal with a vintage 50w tube head into an ampeg 410hlf (extra-low cabinet) and my 4003...(amp) bass control @ 9 o'clock, treble @ 3 o'clock, volume @ noon, full on everything on the bass, sweeeeeet...there was far too much low-end until i dialed out the bass on the amp.
well this is the tread that keeps rising to the the top, and i cant say i blame it
the favorite thing i like about my 4001 is that i can pluck the E string, put it in its stand, go get lunch, come back and its still sustaining.
the favorite thing i like about my 4001 is that i can pluck the E string, put it in its stand, go get lunch, come back and its still sustaining.
My 1976 Ric 4001 just came back from the tech on Saturday. He found a few screwy things that needed to be fixed (the stereo jack, a bit of gounding, rewired the bridge pickup)... and now it sounds like new. I love it now. I am probably going to give up my Jazz for a long while. The 4001 is perfect for the band I am in now... I am happy.
Rickenbacker's are amazing basses, aren't they! If you want to be blown away try a 4001v63. BTW, it's well documented that McCartney used his 4001s on Paperback Writer (which was one of if not its first appearance on a Beatles record) even though he plays his Hofner in the video. The Hofner was used on Day Tripper which was recorded a year earlier. Great sounding bass along with great playing on these tunes.
Cheers
Cheers
Jason I'm glad you got your RIC back in working order! Did your Tech do the bypass surgery?
You don't a need new bridge pup afterall, thats great news.
Good luck.
I had already done the surgery and I am guessing that he left that in there... it does sound like the bridge pup is outputting at a higher volume... I am not certain, but I am very happy with the sound of the bass as it is right now. It is like a totally different bass.
I am glad that a new pickup was not in order too... thanks for all your help.
I am glad that a new pickup was not in order too... thanks for all your help.
