Rickenbocker Install!

[bstringrandy]

I just put one of the Nordenbockers in my 4003W last night and I love it so far! The install was super easy. Grey and Black leads are twisted together and soldered to a pot case. The white lead goes to the switch terminal where the old lead was attached. The pickup comes with new screws and springs. It fits nicely into the opening. While I had the pickguard off, I went ahead and shielded the cavity with copper tape. Also pulled the bridge pickup and shielded that cavity as well, soldering small leads from the tape to ground.

When plugged in, the bass is dead quiet with both pickups on! Selecting one or the other adds a little 60Hz hum but better that it was! The output from the Nordstrand neck pickup equals the bridge pickup. Running everything full on gives a very nice full sound. Last gig with this bass drove me nuts with some neon signs on stage creating lots of noise. Can't wait to see how this does in a live environment!!!

 

[cataract]

View attachment 2974443 I just put one of the Nordenbockers in my 4003W last night and I love it so far! The install was super easy. Grey and Black leads are twisted together and soldered to a pot case. The white lead goes to the switch terminal where the old lead was attached. The pickup comes with new screws and springs. It fits nicely into the opening. While I had the pickguard off, I went ahead and shielded the cavity with copper tape. Also pulled the bridge pickup and shielded that cavity as well, soldering small leads from the tape to ground.

When plugged in, the bass is dead quiet with both pickups on! Selecting one or the other adds a little 60Hz hum but better that it was! The output from the Nordstrand neck pickup equals the bridge pickup. Running everything full on gives a very nice full sound. Last gig with this bass drove me nuts with some neon signs on stage creating lots of noise. Can't wait to see how this does in a live environment!!!

I’m going to try to find the time to install mine tomorrow, can’t wait!

 

[bstringrandy]

I’m going to try to find the time to install mine tomorrow, can’t wait!

Let us know how the install goes and how it sounds afterward!

 

[cataract]

Let us know how the install goes and how it sounds afterward!

I shall! Didn’t get to it today but I’m stoked on having it done soon!

 

[bstringrandy]

Update: Played my first live gig with the 4003W and the new Rickenbocker neck pickup. It was awesome! With both pickups on and all controls dimed, it was dead quiet with no hum. Same with the bridge pickup soloed. The tone was full, yet very articulate and clear with several positive comments from the audience. Well done Nordstrand!!!

 

[oldskoolskatedad]

I installed my Nordenbocker today and couldn't be happier! So much punchier than the stock pup, and more growly too!

 

[bstringrandy]

Same experience I had! What a difference in tone and output! Nice Hipshot bridge on your Ric. I'm not having any issues with mine so I can't justify dropping $100 on one yet.

 

[oldskoolskatedad]

Same experience I had! What a difference in tone and output! Nice Hipshot bridge on your Ric. I'm not having any issues with mine so I can't justify dropping $100 on one yet.

My stock bridge worked exactly as it was designed to which was also the reason I swapped it out. The mute was in the way of one of the places I like to play.

 

[ultra60]

Awesome! Had a Ric that I installed Classic Amplification pickups in. Loved those but eventually sold the Ric and the CA's. Got another Ric, and decided to try one of these. Can't wait to get it.

 

[southpaw723]

I installed my Nordenbocker today and couldn't be happier! So much punchier than the stock pup, and more growly too!

View attachment 2996930

Does this pickup have as much low end as the hi gain? I found the stock pickup to be too bassy and undefined, I've been really looking into these nordstrand pickups.

 

[bstringrandy]

I would define it as more balanced. It definitely has more punch which would infer stronger low mids/mids. It compliments the bridge pickup growl nicely!