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The Rickenbacker Club Part Eight

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#721
Just bought my first Rickenbacker 4001, dated June 1980. Now I know what you've all been talking about that unique Ric sound :D Gonna have some fun tonight :bassist: Can I get a club number please.
 

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#722
Finally played a Rick today for the first time. I've wanted to own one ever since I started playing bass (15 years ago), but I've never actually encountered one in real life.

So, today I went downtown to the local music shop and tested out a new 4003 to make sure it was right before I dropped the cash. I hear a lot of people complain about Ricks feeling weird or uncomfortable. Nope. For me, it was everything I had ever hoped it would be and more. This truly is the bass I've been waiting for my entire life. It's perfect.

I immediately went home and ordered a brand new fireglo 4003 from Wildwood (local shop wouldn't budge on the price). It should be here next week. I'm so excited that I can hardly contain myself!
 
#728
Projectile said:
4003 from Wildwood (local shop wouldn't budge on the price). It should be here next week. I'm so excited that I can hardly contain myself!
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Congrats on the new Ric. I got a new 2013 Fireglo 4003 last month and I love it. The only adjustment needed has been the EQ on my amp. Try to find a stereo cable (I got one through Pick of the Ricks) and run your new bass through two amps for something cool.
 
#730
hsech said:
. . . Try to find a stereo cable (I got one through Pick of the Ricks) and run your new bass through two amps for something cool.
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Thanks! I already ordered a cheap stereo cable and splitter yesterday from ebay to try it out. I have a nice vintage fender guitar amp as well, so I think the combination with that and my ampeg will be killer. I'm not looking forward to having to haul two stacks to rehearsals and gigs, though. So, I hope I don't get too attached to the Rick'o'sound option.

I do have one question about using the Rick o'sound jack. I'm having trouble finding a decent quality stereo cable for a reasonable price. I typically run spectra-flex cables, and they do make a stereo 20ft 1/4" TRS version, but the only place I can seem to find it is to order one directly from their factory and the price is outrageous ($60, way over what retail would be).

So, does anyone know where I can find a decent 15-20ft stereo TRS cable with a braided nylon jacket at a reasonable price? I didn't realize this would be so difficult to find.
 
#732
Projectile said:
So, does anyone know where I can find a decent 15-20ft stereo TRS cable with a braided nylon jacket at a reasonable price? I didn't realize this would be so difficult to find.
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FWIW, I've been using a super cheap $10 one (with a spare/back-up just in case!) that I found at my Frozen North version of Guitar Center (L&M). I think you could even find something like it at any basic electronics store.

Here, just scoped Invalid Link Removed out; it's been utterly without issue for me so far (over 1 year).
 
#735
Ron Clark said:
Just bought my first Rickenbacker 4001, dated June 1980. Now I know what you've all been talking about that unique Ric sound :D Gonna have some fun tonight :bassist: Can I get a club number please.
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Great looking Walnut! Those late 4001 basses were killer basses. Great tone and build. Sometime try bypassing the .0047uF tiny cap that is inline with the treble pickup. Just wrap a wire between the two ends of the cap, shorting it out. More bass from the bridge pup.
 
#737
sloppy_phil said:
FWIW, I've been using a super cheap $10 one (with a spare/back-up just in case!) that I found at my Frozen North version of Guitar Center (L&M). I think you could even find something like it at any basic electronics store.

Here, just scoped Invalid Link Removed out; it's been utterly without issue for me so far (over 1 year).
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply! Actually, I already bought a super cheap 10' stereo cable to use for now, and a Y adapter. I just know from past experience that I'm really hard on cables, and if it doesn't have a nylon jacket and strain relief at the plugs, I will destroy it in no time. I've learned my lesson many times over and only buy quality nylon jacketed cables with beefy plugs and strain relief these days (preferably with a right angle plug). These kinds of guitar cables are a dime a dozen in mono, but all of the sudden when you try to buy a stereo version the price quadruples. Seems ridiculous to me.

I guess I'm just going to have to see if I use the Rick'o'sound a lot, and if so, I'll just have to pony up the $60 for a decent cable.
 
#738
2nd Wind said:
Great looking Walnut! Those late 4001 basses were killer basses. Great tone and build. Sometime try bypassing the .0047uF tiny cap that is inline with the treble pickup. Just wrap a wire between the two ends of the cap, shorting it out. More bass from the bridge pup.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip. I'm just beginning to get acquainted with the Ric. The previous owner installed a new push-pull vintage tone bypass... Will this have the same effect?
 
#740
Projectile said:
Yes, it should. All the vintage bypass does is short the .0047uF cap. It's the same way on the newer models.
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+1 I did the same thing to my '84, which came with the 'vintage' wiring as standard. It's a mod technically, but a totally functional and easily reversible thing. I only see it as a value enhancer, truth told. But then, I see these as playing tools, not collector items!
 
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