De-fanged the 4001

morrow · Post by **morrow** » Sun Mar 20, 2005 2:40 am

...we did the cap bypass mod and I am of two minds.I now have more useable tone but it was neat to have that clank so handy.One flick of the switch and you were on another planet.

however that clank is not the aproach to use for the gigs that I do and now that pickup is useable solo'd.My first night out with her will be tonight.

....this will be fun

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Sun Mar 20, 2005 2:57 am

Is it not possible to fit a discreet mini toggle switch to engage, or disengage the cap?

morrow · Post by **morrow** » Sun Mar 20, 2005 3:31 am

yes, it was an option but I didn't want to add an extra one just now.

For the styles that I generally play the by-passed sound is more appropriate., but as I said, I am of two minds.

....we shall see if it stays, or if I add a switch, or go back to the original setup.I need to hear her in a live mix.....

jps · Post by **jps** » Sun Mar 20, 2005 3:52 am

If you need that clank, just roll of the bass some on your amp. Or roll back the neck pickup a bit.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sun Mar 20, 2005 8:01 am

when you take out the cap then dial back the neck volume to 8 or less and let the bridge pickup growl ... you can still get clank ... but you can also get pucnhy mids now ...

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sun Mar 20, 2005 8:06 am

Yes, and I usually raise the treble pickup higher in relation to the bass pickup too for more mid presence, really cuts through like that.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Sun Mar 20, 2005 8:19 am

The most significant difference I have noticed when running capless is an increase in low end. The basic sound is still there but with added balls.

grayk · Post by **grayk** » Sun Mar 20, 2005 8:45 am

I just installed the .0047 cap to my FG 4003. I am knocked out with it. Sergio was spot on in my opinion ! I find that the cap has given me some of the top more usually heard on the 4001 but overall the bass is much more versatile. I will probably leave my MG standard so I have the best of both worlds. Of course this mod is not suitable for all, but it works for me.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Sun Mar 20, 2005 9:01 am

Ricks from the 70's are thinner in the low end department so removing the cap is a good thing. Modern 4003's have lots of low end so the cap won't de-ball the sound as much as it does on the 4001 (and older 4003's).

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sun Mar 20, 2005 9:50 am

But you still get the low mid that gives the presence to a Ric on the new 4003's from the bridge pickup which the cap takes out same as the old ones, wit a cap I think you'd get the same syndrome, maybe a little less.
It was convolution, la de da.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Sun Mar 20, 2005 9:52 am

Morrow, I wouldn't say you've de-fanged your 4001, instead you've given it a more aggressive bite.

Tony, yes you can discretely add a small SPDT switch on a 4001 to engage / disengage that cap.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Sun Mar 20, 2005 10:01 am

My '79 4001 with a SPDT switch to engage / disengage the .0047 cap.

morrow · Post by **morrow** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 6:57 am

Did a gig with her last night and was blown away by the tone.

Will keep the bypass for the time being.I am really happy with this bass.