Pickups on 4002 and 3001 Models

[libratune]

Just trying to connect the dots here.

The highly sought-after model 4002 bass -- made in the late 70's -- comes with two "super high gain humbucking" pickups.

Does anyone know whether that is the same pickup type as the one on the model 3000 and 3001 RIck basses, also made in the mid-to-late 70's? I haven't seen a 4002 in person, but in photos the p/ups on each model have the same external appearance -- solid black like the current humbucks, but with a crinkly finish.

[incubus2432]

No, they are different. I forget exactly how but I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will.

[edski]

I'm no expert, but I think the PU's on the 3000 and 3001 were single coil...and the 4002 PU's were unique to the 4002, not the same humbucker as in the 4004.

Again, like Brian, I'll refrain from saying anymore, leaving it the far more knowledgable folks to clarify.

[dswp]

Here is what they look like.

They were made just for the 4002. The bridge pickup had a second winding built into it that connects to a Low Z jack on the bass (intended for a studio mixing board direct connection).

For the pickups themselves, not too many people know specifics about them.

[rickfan60]

The pickups in the 3000 series are not the same as the 4002 pickups. The 4002 pickups are humbuckers (dual coils) and are bifilar. That is, they have 2 sets of windings. The second set (4K) is used by the low impedance connector but only from the treble pickup. Despite its name (super high gain), the 4002 pickup has relatively low output but is exceptionally clean and has outstanding definition in the low end. The HB1 (used on the 4004) has a very different sound. It is strong and powerful but lacks the clarity and definition found in the 4002. As near as I can figure, the 4002 pickup is very similar to the current HB1 in construction. Both pickups have tiny side by side coils wrapped around bar magnets. They have a similar appearance on the top side but are very different underneath. On top both pickups have the standard chrome pickup bezel. The 4002 pickup is covered in Tolex and you can actually feel the magnets and coils through it. The HB1 inside is encased in epoxy and has some kind of plastic cover possibly vacuum formed over the top. The 4002 pickup is riveted together with a wide, flat, aluminum cover on the bottom side. The bottom of the HB1 is covered by piece of circuit board with leads that allow you to connect the coils in a variety of ways. The 4002 allows for only one coil combination.

[jingle_jangle]

And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen...

[libratune]

Ted - Thanks much for the expert explanation.

Dave, thanks for the photo and the added info.

Paul, thanks for the confirmation.

[rickfan60]

Ted - Thanks much for the expert explanation.

Dave, thanks for the photo and the added info.

Paul, thanks for the confirmation.

Yeah, probably nore than you wanted to know but the 4002 is near and dear to my heart. I have owned one for about 28 years and would not trade it for anything. When I get going on the virtues of the "2" it is hard to stop. Sorry if I went on too long.

[marc61]

Ted, go on and on. In the late 70's I wanted one so bad. It was expensive, but it was more peer pressure that prevented me from buying it. I went 4001 instead. What intrigued me the most about it was that it seemed like the bass that can do it all. Tremendous tonal range, smooth playability, versatility with the low impedance input. It was/is a bass guitar, and an instrument ahead of it's time.

[iiipopes]

Yes, Zombie thread. But I must correct inaccuracies stated above about the 4002. I have a 4002. The coils are end-to-end or split coil humbuckers. The neck pickup measures between 8 and 8.5 kohms. It is not interleaved as is the bridge pickup. The bridge pickup has the interleaved windings of @ 750 ohms, wired direct to a side mounted XLR jack. The primary windings of the bridge pickup going through the controls and the Ric-O-Sound are @ 7.5 kohms.

The position of the pickups on a 4002 is derived from a '60's Fender Jazz bass. With the scale of a Rickenbacker being 33 1/4 inches, and a Fender at 34, if on the J-bass you moved the bridge up 3/8 inch and moved the nut down 3/8 inch to get the Rickenbacker scale, that's where the pickups on a 4002 are. Again, I used to have a Squier VM J-bass with the '60's pickup placement. That's how I determined that positioning.

The 3000/1 pickups are single coil.