V68 (ish)

[(jps)]

I think its amazing how much better the 1/2" inch neck PU spacing looks compared to the modern version.

I know its only a half inch, but if your a RIC fan, you can notice it a mile away.

Don't forget the tonal differences, too (for some of us, anyway).

[(cassius987)]

It absolutely sounds different. I don't think I prefer it to the 1'' sound necessarily, but both are good. For a while a lot of neck pickups on Ric basses seemed weak and at one point I equated this to the 1'' position, but with current basses I don't hear this issue anymore.

I do still have the 1/2'' spacing on my 4001FL and plan to keep i that way.

[(jps)]

My Rickenbacker upbringing was my 4005WB with its neck toaster right up against the neck. I play open, and pinched, harmonics quite often, and pickup location makes a big difference in that regard.

[(Isaac)]

I have never liked the look of the ½" spacing. I much prefer the 1" from that perspective.

As far as sound, I can't say. I've never had the pleasure of playing a Ric with the ½" spacing. I will say that I don't really love the sound of my 4004Cii neck pickup, nestled snug up against the neck. It's not bad, mind you, and it's a useful sound, but it's not my favorite.

[(jps)]

...I don't really love the sound of my 4004Cii neck pickup, nestled snug up against the neck. It's not bad, mind you, and it's a useful sound, but it's not my favorite.

Try a toaster.

[(teeder)]

...I don't really love the sound of my 4004Cii neck pickup, nestled snug up against the neck. It's not bad, mind you, and it's a useful sound, but it's not my favorite.

Try a toaster.

Yeah, completely different animals.

[(ibal)]

Limited Edition Bass. I had neck issues and the factory fret work was quite poor. There was a lot to work with, so I was able to sort it all out myself. I routed the body to move the neck pickup. Changes were done over 3 years ago and the bass has been the most stable Rickenbacker I have ever owned.

4003_AMB_CB_VP_Headstock.jpg

4003_AMB_CB_VP.JPG

Bass features a Pickguardian pickguard and tug bar, Dane WIlder vintage wiring harness and modified tail piece, Lollar Horseshoe pickup, an older Rickenbacker toaster pickup, and a host of restored vintage hardware sourced from various places. I have a plexi pickguard, as well, but prefer the stock style vintage white version. I have a 'volute style' vintage treble pickup surround that is back from the chromer and will soon have a custom pick guard, but I really love this bass 'as is'.

I'm very glad I didn't give up on this bass.

Did you cut a gap in the tailpiece? If so, how did you do it?

[(Isaac)]

...I don't really love the sound of my 4004Cii neck pickup, nestled snug up against the neck. It's not bad, mind you, and it's a useful sound, but it's not my favorite.

Try a toaster.

I'm using the neck pickup as a single coil already. Had to, as one of the coils is open. No idea how close a toaster might be to half of an HB-1.

[(jps)]

No idea how close a toaster might be to half of an HB-1.

I have no idea, either, but the basic construction is totally different between the two pickups (regardless of one or two coils in the HB-1 being active, so to speak).

[(aceonbass)]

I picked up the 1st in that run of Sweetwater 4003SMCB basses, but went a different route with my mods. I replaced the hi-gains with HB1's and appropriately spec'd wiring with push-pull coil taps, a push-pull vintage tone control on the bridge pickup, and a push-pull pot on the neck tone to engage a .01uF tone cap. I also made black acrylic guard and replaced the truss rod cover with a black one from a 4004L. The single dual action truss rod these come with is not replaceable without removing the fingerboard.

[(bassduke49)]

Looks great, Dane! Wait . . . great Dane . . . hmm.

So the design of the new truss rod doesn't all for its easy removal? They must have a lot of faith in it not failing. Anyone have a graphic on how this type works? I'm having trouble understanding how it operates.

[(Hornbrille)]

Looks great, Dane!

I second that! The HB1 bridge pickup with the chrome bezel just looks gorgeous.

[(aceonbass)]

So the design of the new truss rod doesn't allow for its easy removal? They must have a lot of faith in it not failing. Anyone have a graphic on how this type works? I'm having trouble understanding how it operates.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad8nqm5qP6A

[(bassduke49)]

Thanks, Dane.

[(henry5)]

Looks great, Dane! Wait . . . great Dane . . . hmm.

So the design of the new truss rod doesn't all for its easy removal? They must have a lot of faith in it not failing. Anyone have a graphic on how this type works? I'm having trouble understanding how it operates.

Probably like 99% of the rest of the truss rods on the planet Paul!