Don't forget the tonal differences, too (for some of us, anyway).cheyenne wrote: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.
V68 (ish)
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Re: V68 (ish)
- cassius987
- Senior Member
- Posts: 4708
- Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2008 2:11 pm
Re: V68 (ish)
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.
I do still have the 1/2'' spacing on my 4001FL and plan to keep i that way.
Re: V68 (ish)
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.
Re: V68 (ish)
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.
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.
Re: V68 (ish)
Try a toaster.Isaac wrote:...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.
Re: V68 (ish)
Yeah, completely different animals.jps wrote:Try a toaster.Isaac wrote:...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.
Re: V68 (ish)
Did you cut a gap in the tailpiece? If so, how did you do it?gregson62 wrote: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.
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.
Re: V68 (ish)
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 wrote:Try a toaster.Isaac wrote:...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.
Re: V68 (ish)
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).Isaac wrote:jps wrote:Isaac wrote: No idea how close a toaster might be to half of an HB-1.
Re: V68 (ish)
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
- Senior Member
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- Joined: Wed May 14, 2003 5:00 am
Re: V68 (ish)
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.
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.
Author: "The Rickenbacker Electric Bass - 50 Years As Rock's Bottom"
- Hornbrille
- New member
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- Joined: Fri May 02, 2008 7:13 am
Re: V68 (ish)
I second that! The HB1 bridge pickup with the chrome bezel just looks gorgeous.bassduke49 wrote:Looks great, Dane!
1977 Fender Mustang Bass | 1978 Fender Jazz Bass | 1979 Guild B-302 | 1997 Rickenbacker 4001V63 | 2006 Rickenbacker 4003
Re: V68 (ish)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad8nqm5qP6Abassduke49 wrote: 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.
- bassduke49
- Senior Member
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- Joined: Wed May 14, 2003 5:00 am
Re: V68 (ish)
Probably like 99% of the rest of the truss rods on the planet Paul!bassduke49 wrote: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.