4004 Cheyenne (series I)

ricnvolved · Post by **ricnvolved** » Sun Nov 24, 2002 5:48 pm

Sergio & Jeff-- Don't be too hasty in your judgement of the pick-ups on the 4004 model. They really do sound good. Sure, the 4004 isn't going to have the same tone as a 4001/4003, but it was never meant to. It's an "apples and oranges" thing and each model will have it's own proponents. I'm very happy (and fortunate) to have both; each model is what it is. If I HAD to choose one over the other, then I would have to go with my 4003 simply because it is The Original and has that Classic Tone.

An easy comparison would be the guitar player who's been nuts over a 330 since Day 1, but has come to appreciate the special tone & qualities of one of the 650 series models. You don't necessarily have to totally exclude one model in favor of the other.

Bottom line is that you should give the 4004 a fair & objective listen before you decide about replacing the pick-ups.

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Mon Nov 25, 2002 1:26 am

Hi, Jeffery. I reckon you're right, but I would have no use for a 4004 Bass if it didn't sound remotely like a Rickenbacker, no matter how great looking it is. A wiring diagram and the pickup specs would be a simple and quick way to evaluate its merits. I don't know whether the RIC site provides such information. If it doesn't, anyone's help is welcome.

dave4004 · Post by **dave4004** » Mon Nov 25, 2002 7:10 am

Sergio, my 4004 definitely does sound like a Rickenbacker. Just not the same as a 4001/4003. It's got its own thing going, but there's no mistaking RIC tone. If I played an identical song sample on my 4003, 4004 and any non-RIC bass, you'd easily be able to tell which one was not a RIC.

That said, in general I prefer single coils to humbuckers.

robj · Post by **robj** » Mon Nov 25, 2002 10:31 am

I guess the bottom line is one of personal taste (as it is in most things I suppose). I agree with Dave that the 4004 does sound like a Rickenbacker but really has its own sound compared to a classic RIC bass. I find the 4004 sound is more useable for the music I play and I currently use the 4004C-I as my main 4 string, but then I'm not after the Classic Ric sound either (I have 4001 and 4003 basses for that). As far as humbuckers go G****n was the largest purveyor of basses equipped with them, but in my opinion G****n has never made a good sounding bass. I think this is partially due to their choice in woods. I have played a G*L 5 string that has humbuckers (lots of switching options) that I think sounded great with the humbuckers in the on position.

I think it would be great if Rickenbacker offered the 4004 series basses with a few options like single coils or at least a coil splitting switch for the existing humbuckers.

turlu · Post by **turlu** » Mon Nov 25, 2002 12:01 pm

Robert Joseph,

I own a G****n and I love it !!!

Try a Thunderbird 1976 Bicentennial Bass and you will change your mind on those Basses.
My first choice is a Ric and Squire and Lee made me discovering the wonderful Ric. although I love my G****n, nothing will compare to a Ric.
Can`t wait to own a Cheyenne 5 string !!!

robj · Post by **robj** » Mon Nov 25, 2002 3:37 pm

I have to admit I've never played that model. I was going with my experience playing the EB series and Les Paul Triumph basses I've either owned or played. I jammed on a Ripper too once upon a time and didn't find it much to my liking either. I'm glad you are happy with it and if I get a chance to play one I certainly will.

I plan to get a Cheyenne 5 string too. Any idea if RIC is shipping these yet?

turlu · Post by **turlu** » Mon Nov 25, 2002 4:06 pm

Last news from Ric is that they will release the new 5 String Cheyenne at the next NAMM show in January 2003 and then start taking orders.

Robert, believe me, the Thunderbird ( especially mine ) is a great Bass. As far as other G****n basses, I agree with you that they are just not there.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Nov 25, 2002 6:17 pm

Why Does Gibson make so many great guitars and so many mediocre basses ... I used to play an eb bass ... looked great but sounded one dimensional ...

I bet a 4004 with 2 toaster pickups would be cool ... kinda retro like the 4005 ... but with modern styling .. or a toaster in the neck and high gain in the bridge ....

I'd like to get a 4004/5 string but I hope they don't give it a 5 lane wide freeway neck like fender and others do. I love the 4003s/5 great neck, great pickups ...

robj · Post by **robj** » Tue Nov 26, 2002 8:30 am

If I had the cash laying around I'd probably look for another 4004C-I and customize it by adding phase and coil splitting switches and maybe going to 4 controls like the classic Ric basses. It would be very interesting to hear what a 4004 sounds like with single coils as you described Jeff.

As I recall the neck on the 4004-Cii/5 is wider to better accomodate the 5th string. For me at least this is a good thing. The main reason I don't have a 4003/5 is because the strings are too close together for me, my hands are just too big. The 5 I play now is a M*****s which I think has a wider neck than the 4004/5 is supposed to have. I think something between that width and the neck width of the 4003/5 would be perfect for me anyway.

robj · Post by **robj** » Tue Nov 26, 2002 8:35 am

Stéphane, Thanks for the update on the 4004 5 string. I have to say I'm a bit confused though, wasn't this bass introduced at NAMM 2002? I wonder if RIC made some changes to the bass shown last January and plans to re-introduce it?

turlu · Post by **turlu** » Tue Nov 26, 2002 8:45 am

Ric worked all year on the development of the C Series and after that, they will(or already) work on the Cheyenne 5 String for the official release at the next NAMM show. That is what I have been told by the company anyway. I have pushed my purchase of a 5 string Bass this year simply to put my hands on the new Cheyenne and resisted very hard to buy a M*****AN Stingray Bass instead.

robj · Post by **robj** » Tue Nov 26, 2002 10:06 am

It sounds like RIC may have made a few changes, interesting. Well even if they haven't I still plan to order one. Thanks again for the information Stéphane.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Tue Nov 26, 2002 5:38 pm

Robert ... I like your idea of a coil splitting switch .... but I still love that high gain and toaster pickup sound ...

I have smaller fingers ... so I like the 4003s5 ... I took a 4 string jazz bass and turned it into a 5 string ... the nut width is 1.5" and the bridge width is 2.5"

The 4003s5 has a good size nut but it is too tight at the bridge ...

2.5" at the bridge is a good spacing because it is wide enough for thumb slapping and fingering and nice and close for playing with a pick ....

Most 5 strings are 1.8" at the nut and 3" at the bridge ... when I play these I feel like a kid playing my dad's bass ....

I can play faster with a narrower spacing ... once you get used to it it feels really good ...