• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

The Rickenbacker Club! (part 2)

Status
Not open for further replies.
#241
jojo99 said:
Cool...you got one of those early Squire models with the correct long- shaped headstock (always wondered why they changed it).
+1 on the 4000....I always liked the no-frills lean'n'mean look of them, compared to the fancypants 4001. My first bass was like your 4000, and it sounded a lot better than my 4001 (which I got because I became obsessed with having a neck pickup). The pickup on the 4000 was awesome. I took it to a guitar shop and told them to swap the bridge pups in both basses. The guy told me that wouldn't be necessary, and informed me of the cap removal mod (this was wayyy before that was common knowledge). The 4001 sounded a lot better, but still didn't compare to the 4000-- it cut thru like a knife (my drummer commented that I sounded like Yes, and he had no idea about RICs and Squire, etc., so I was pretty pleased to hear that). I eventually sold it because I didn't like the fact that it was a set-neck routed for a neck pickup, meaning only a sliver of wood was holding the neck on (the rout was as deep as the neck pocket). Later I found that most 4000 set necks were routed the same-- didn't seem very smart to me, and a luthier told me the neck was getting a hump at that location, so off she went for dirt cheap.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I had a '98 V63 with the later headstock but it never quite looked right to me. This is my second 4001CS; I sold the first because it was extremely heavy and I have chronic back problems. This one is bearable.

My 4000 doesn't have the neck pickup route and seems very stable. I agree about the difference between that and the 4001; I've done the cap bypass before on several 4001s and never nailed the 4000 tone. I nearly sold the 4000 recently (GAS!) but luckily fate intervened. Don't think I'll be selling it now.
 
#242
petersland said:
I've put a pair of SD pickups in my Bass.
They sound amazing. Equal levels across all strings and do not affect that classic tone.
I've also bought some 500k DPDT pots to wire up the PUPs in either series/parallel or phasing.
I'm really not sure which way to go.
Has anyone else tried this and can comment?
Any help appreciated.
Click to expand...

I have vintage SD pickups in my Ric. Not sure if they're the same as the moderns, and I didn't install them. There are two, 3 position switches on my bass. For each pickup, one position is a fat, humbucker sound with boosted volume and low end. The middle position is what I call the "natural" position because it sounds most like a normal single coil pickup - it hums and has a bitey trebley tone. The bottom position is like a combination of the two - no hum, but still more trebley than the top position.

I wonder what those 3 positions could be?
 
#243
megadan said:
I have vintage SD pickups in my Ric. Not sure if they're the same as the moderns, and I didn't install them. There are two, 3 position switches on my bass. For each pickup, one position is a fat, humbucker sound with boosted volume and low end. The middle position is what I call the "natural" position because it sounds most like a normal single coil pickup - it hums and has a bitey trebley tone. The bottom position is like a combination of the two - no hum, but still more trebley than the top position.

I wonder what those 3 positions could be?
Click to expand...

Thanks Guys.
In my haste, I tried the series/phasing option. YUK!
The phasing cuts an awful lot of bottom end and hence, volume.
A mix of series neck and phased bridge is'nt too bad though.
I will try the series/parallel option this weekend and let you know how I go.
I gotta say, I do love the DPDT pots. No extra holes. Looks normal!

Cheers, Pete
 
#244
EagleMoon said:
I agree. I think that was very tacky.
Click to expand...

:bawl:

so sorry


I think considering the effort I put into finding defiled a ric bass and taking the time to post them here and on the rick forum page, he will forgive my ribald humor. Anyone with a scintilla of reading comprehension would come to the conclusion that my "limey bastard" statement was made in a playful, tongue n' cheek manner and not meant to offend anyone.

Whats next being offended by English spelling mistakes?

May I suggest that you two Politically correct obsessed fine upstanding Anglophiles grow a pair? And by pair I of course mean Lemon trees :D



How an 18th/19th century term for english sailors is so "offensive" or "tacky" is seriously beyond me! The term is on par with "Yanks".

:spit:

Now lets get back to the topic of Ricks please.
 
#245
Darth:

That's the joy of using an internet forum. This has been said many times before, but with text based communication, it is very easy to interpret a comment or statement the wrong way :)

We're all friends here mate, I just thought that applying the word "b*stard" to the word "limey" could offend some people, just as if I referred to someone here as a "yankee b*stard".

BTW, I'm not politically-correct obsessed (nor am I a "grammar nazi", but I could have some fun here, being an English student and all), I just want to keep a spirit of community and good-will on this forum :)

Anyway, as you've said, back to Rickenbackers :bassist:
 
#252
ShredderMaximus said:
Wow, Im so darn jealous, Ive wanted a Rickenbacker since the first time i saw one! even before i started playing... but i know one day i will have a 76' 4001 fireglo and it will be good. btw i have played one ONCE, and would almost relate to losing my virginity.(almost)
Click to expand...

Yeah, I played an old one (probly mid 70's) in '89 when I first started. Couldn't afford it. It was awesome!! Finished college, gotta decent job, and got a brand new white (my fave color) one for a crazy low price in '92. It too sounded spectacular! My band gave me grief when I had a little trouble adjusting to the shorter scale length. I traded it for an Ibanez (MAN WHAT A DUMB MOVE).... I even paid cash too!!

I traded for the '06 Rick, so it's like free, basically. It almost sounds as good as I remember my '92 sounding. I hear they each sound different, sometimes radically different. I haven't been an owner long.... is this true??

Hey, any string recommendations? I like both stainless and nickel roundwounds, slight preference toward stainless. I play hard prog rock.
 
#255
JEDI BASS said:
Yeah, I played an old one (probly mid 70's) in '89 when I first started. Couldn't afford it. It was awesome!! Finished college, gotta decent job, and got a brand new white (my fave color) one for a crazy low price in '92. It too sounded spectacular! My band gave me grief when I had a little trouble adjusting to the shorter scale length. I traded it for an Ibanez (MAN WHAT A DUMB MOVE).... I even paid cash too!!

I traded for the '06 Rick, so it's like free, basically. It almost sounds as good as I remember my '92 sounding. I hear they each sound different, sometimes radically different. I haven't been an owner long.... is this true??

Hey, any string recommendations? I like both stainless and nickel roundwounds, slight preference toward stainless. I play hard prog rock.
Click to expand...

Cool story dude. In regards to the string recommendations, it's a pretty subjective topic as everyone will have their own preferences.

Personally, IME and IMO I've found that different styles of bass play and sound better with certain types and brands of string. My Fenders like nickel roundwounds (GHS Boomers specifically... I stay away from Ernie Ball as they have a bit too much sort of... artificial sounding, tinny-zing to them). My Rickenbacker plays and sounds best when I string it with stainless steel rounds... the first set of strings I tried on it were GHS Boomers and they sounded quite lifeless... then I tried Ernie Ball Slinkies and got the same result :confused:

Right now I have a set of medium Elites Stadiums (stainless steel 40-100) on my Rickenbacker and they sound and feel great. They're a bit like Roto 66's but last longer, aren't quite (only by a little) as bright and I honestly believe that they play faster (have a smoother feel, but not as much as nickel rounds).

Hope this helps :hyper:
 
#258
I just realized I've never posted good pics of my Ric here.

This is my 1981 Ric 4003. I bought it used in 1986; it was my first bass.

IMG_0773.jpg


I was able to afford it because it was pretty heavily used by the time I got it. The previous owner had installed some phase switches which introduced horrible noise. I later had the switches pulled and the wiring redone. A certain amount of mojo is inevitable after a lot of playing time, though:

IMG_0774.jpg


I love my Ric. Many times I've considered selling it when GAS pains struck, but once I play it, all those thoughts go away. It has stayed where a number of excellent basses (like a Lakland DJ5, and a Dargie Stingray) have gone on the block instead. It's hard to get rid of a trusted companion you've had for over 20 years.

Now that I'm in a band that plays a lot of rock, I'm bringing it out sometimes to gigs. The band LOVES it, and on certain songs, it flat out KILLS. I'm glad I held on to it even when GAS pains were at their worst.

22 years of fantastic performance. Nothing else sounds quite like a Ric.

IMG_0790.jpg
 
#260
Geddyfleaharris said:
Sorry but IMHO "drill holes" and Rickenbacker do not go together. :) If I had to take that drastic of a step for a modification I don't think I would do it. If things go wrong the value of your instrument will plummet. If things go right the value of your instrument will go down. IMO.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I have to agree. That's why I was asking.... don't want to mod my Black Beauty with anything that requires hole drilling!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back