The Rickenmodder Club

[ampegfuzz]

With the cap in, there is no way for the pickups to be out-of-phase with each other. They are perpendicular in phase at that point and can't interact.

Someone was in their some time ago cut the leads and crossed the wires. We just put them back the right way

 

[ampegfuzz]

Glad to hear it! If you like how it sounds, it might be worth soldering the wire in place instead of leaving it crimped, as a purely mechanical connection may fail at an inopportune moment... like when you're rocking out on stage.

On a side note, a while ago I flipped the magnet on the neck pickup on my 1982 4001 to make it RWRP (hum canceling) with the bridge. Now there's hum if I touch the pole pieces. So, I'm thinking of flipping the phase of both pickups to see what happens.

I might solder it in I have to open it back up anyway the neck tone cap came off in the ordeal. also ill also try it with the bridge cap back in just in case

 

[12bass]

I might solder it in I have to open it back up anyway the neck tone cap came off in the ordeal. also ill also try it with the bridge cap back in just in case

If you're feeling adventurous, there's always the option of installing a push-pull pot to enable/disable the capacitor, just like the newer 4003 models. I have a switch on mine, in almost exactly the same position as the link I posted earlier. Well over 90% of the time the bridge pickup is directly connected. So much fuller sounding....

If you ever wondered "where's the beef?", now you know where it was!

 

[ampegfuzz]

Not where's the beef more like who do I kick in the junk for playing with the electrical in this bass. Every time I fix something I find something else wrong

 

[steddy2112]

There are some absolutely stunning basses in here.

My 1998 4003 Jet has had SD 1/4 pounders in em...didn't like em and actually the stock single coils were hotter...which definitely made me take a step back. It remains relatively stock(rewired so I can use two cables to go stereo if I want, but outwardly looks stock LOL)

My dad has a 4003/5 Maple, dot, no binding with EMG active jazz pick ups in the bridge and neck.

He had a 4001 MidNight with a BAII on it wired the same way my 4003

Although I come from the 'leave these things stock' side of the debate, these rodded Rics are GORGEOUS.

 

[Pope4003]

The most important question is this:
Does this bass exist, despite an obvious lack of photos?

It exists in theory. I ordered it online since no stores in my area stock them. Its estimated date of arrival is Tuesday. And I must say I truly regret not paying the extra dough for overnight shipping. As soon as it arrives I will send pictures! The only mod I have planned is a new pic guard. My buddy built a CNC machine in his basement and said he would make me a highly polished stainless steel pic guard. Also per advice received I may add a thumb rest!

 

[Engine207]

It exists in theory. I ordered it online since no stores in my area stock them. Its estimated date of arrival is Tuesday. And I must say I truly regret not paying the extra dough for overnight shipping. As soon as it arrives I will send pictures! The only mod I have planned is a new pic guard. My buddy built a CNC machine in his basement and said he would make me a highly polished stainless steel pic guard. Also per advice received I may add a thumb rest!

Folds arms across chest, leans back on one foot while tapping the other...

Good on you. We're all looking forward to the photos - stock and modded

 

[J Hud]

I am reading this thread with great interest. I think Rics are cool, but I don't see them as being so special that you cannot mod them. I build Franken-Precisions all the time and nobody cares.

Even more interesting to me than the dismay over the mods is the smug omnipotence of the people telling you why you'll regret it. I get that occasionally with people telling me their opinions on tattoos and how I will definitely regret them (I am covered in them) and how it is all right for me to do whatever I want, but they don't like it, and all I can think is, "do you really believe your permission matters to me?" Your thread inspired me to get working on my doo-doo fretless project.

Moo-chose grassy ass man!

 

[J Hud]

I'm in..74 4001..EMG pickups..powered by 18 volts.
Volume tone/Volume tone..yes,it cranks.

Cheers.

Welcome to the club!

1 - J Hud
2 - Ric5
3 - Chopper
4 - Engine 207
5 – Rickenboogie
6 – Kcole4001
7 – Cassius987
8 – Tarrbot
9 – S4001
10 – Cheesybass
11 – Engagechad
12 - Instagator
• Honorary Member in Good Standing – Andysalina5

 

[ampegfuzz]

Update at the ampegfuzz household. I just tore the ric back apart to fix the neck tone cap and took the jumper off the bridge . 0047 cap. Played it and i was like hmmm that sounds good. Then went back to the bench, jumper back on and played again and was like WHOA!!!!!!!! i went back to the bench and immediately soldered in a wire where the .0047 cap was. Once you go no cap, You never go back. The more stuff i fix on that old beast the more i love it and i see nothing wrong with what anyone does to rics. Make it your own Also does anyone have any tricks for the hipshot saddle wiggle?

 

[kcole4001]

I just wiggle mine back and forth by hand, and that seems to kind of seat them better, can't imagine why, but it seems to work. I know it doesn't make any sense.

You could slip some clear vinyl or similar squashable material in between to hold them in place, just make sure they don't jam in a way that keeps them from making good contact with the baseplate.
I'd recommend clear material because that would be pretty hard for anyone to see unless they're really looking for it.

Regarding the cap, that's exactly what I thought when I first plugged in my 4080.
With the cap: "hmmm...."
After bypassing the cap: "Wow! That's more like it!"
I do like the option to use both with my new 4003.

 

[chokeslam512]

OP, the recessed Dunlop strap button is a FANTASTIC idea!! I am doing that to all of my basses.

 

[J Hud]

OP, the recessed Dunlop strap button is a FANTASTIC idea!! I am doing that to all of my basses.

I actually got that idea from Brian B at the Low End. I have owned a few of his LEJ basses (AWESOME instruments) and they all had that option.

 

[ampegfuzz]

I just wiggle mine back and forth by hand, and that seems to kind of seat them better, can't imagine why, but it seems to work. I know it doesn't make any sense.

You could slip some clear vinyl or similar squashable material in between to hold them in place, just make sure they don't jam in a way that keeps them from making good contact with the baseplate.
I'd recommend clear material because that would be pretty hard for anyone to see unless they're really looking for it.

Regarding the cap, that's exactly what I thought when I first plugged in my 4080.
With the cap: "hmmm...."
After bypassing the cap: "Wow! That's more like it!"
I do like the option to use both with my new 4003.

Every time i harmonic tune or play with my fingers they jump. I guess ill have to wedge something in their.

 

[J Hud]

1 - J Hud
2 - Ric5
3 - Chopper
4 - Engine 207
5 – Rickenboogie
6 – Kcole4001
7 – Cassius987
8 – Tarrbot
9 – S4001
10 – Cheesybass
11 – Engagechad
12 – Instagator
13 – Cocobass
• Honorary Member in Good Standing – Andysalina5

 

[cocobass]

I feel honored to be among the ranks of my fellow Rickenbacker bass pioneers. For it is because of our endevours, and fearless ambition to "wrench" our Rics that eventually, through our R&D, Rickenbacker may someday tap into our discoveries to take the 4000 series instruments to the next level.

Loved by few, hated by many, to a greater tomorrow, united we stand!

Ok....Hi guys! Glad to be a member.

Yes- no caps = happy tones!

Cocobass....Rickenmodder #13! Yikes!

 

[iiipopes]

My 4002 is different from a 4001/3 in that it has, factory stock, two end-to-end or "split coil" design humbuckers, and a .01 inline cap to each pickup instead of the .0047 in the 4001/3. I changed out the neck pickup volume control for a factory push-pull so I could have its .01 inline cap in or out at will. It really helped with the low end, of course, and eliminated some phasing that was occuring with both pickups having similar caps when both are on in the middle pickup position.

 

[pringlw]

I have only one bass in tha house that has not been modded: my 4001 BurgundyGlo.

But I sure have a hard time to resist this:

Must resist, must resist, must....

Careful, on a Ricky if you rout out too much wood in the neck position, you run the risk of the neck shifting on you (and you can't shim a Rick). That's what happened to Cliff Burton's bass after a few heavy mods.

 

[kcole4001]

You're probably fine routing a little unless you start to go deeper (as in further away from the pickguard) into the wood.
Just be careful.

That 'star looks pretty cool there.
I've long been curious as to how that would sound.

 

[J Hud]

I feel honored to be among the ranks of my fellow Rickenbacker bass pioneers. For it is because of our endevours, and fearless ambition to "wrench" our Rics that eventually, through our R&D, Rickenbacker may someday tap into our discoveries to take the 4000 series instruments to the next level.

Loved by few, hated by many, to a greater tomorrow, united we stand!

Ok....Hi guys! Glad to be a member.

Yes- no caps = happy tones!

Cocobass....Rickenmodder #13! Yikes!

Welcome aboard brother!

No worries about the # 13. Here in Rickenmodder Land, we throw conventional superstitions, fear & wariness out the window!