4003 problem?

jmwcanada · Post by **jmwcanada** » Sun Feb 23, 2003 6:54 pm

Hi, I'm new here but I've been reading through this board for a while. I recently picked up a 4003 and I was wondering what kind of a problem I'm having. Everything works in Mono but in Stereo it works as though my bass pickup doesn't work. When I switch to center position bass volume doesn't adjust and in upper position there's no sound at all. So, is this a switch problem, wiring etc and how can I fix this? Thanks a bunch.

dave_axt · Post by **dave_axt** » Sun Feb 23, 2003 7:01 pm

Are you using a stereo cable TPS (tip-ring-sleeve) plug?

jmwcanada · Post by **jmwcanada** » Sun Feb 23, 2003 7:17 pm

I don't know. It's just a normal guitar cable. But would that make only the bass pickup not work on stereo?

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sun Feb 23, 2003 8:22 pm

The stereo jack is an obsolete feature ... you can plug a stereo jack into it and then run the signal from each pickup into a different amp ... Geddy Lee and Chris Squire used to do this back in the 70's ... but nobody uses that feature today ...

I have restored several Rics and every time I get one I rewire it for two mono jacks instead of the stupid stereo thing ...

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Sun Feb 23, 2003 9:43 pm

Hi Jeff Wu,
Ni Hao. Huan Ing Ni.
Be sure to use a stereo Y cord-the kind that has 2 insulation rings like a stereo headphone jack(plugged into your Rick-O-Sound output jack) on one end which splits to 2 mono phone jacks that go into 2 amps.

Like what Jeff Rath said, the ROS feature is to be used with 2 amps.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Sun Feb 23, 2003 9:55 pm

Jeff (Rath),
Do you wire them in dual mono that when only one jack is plugged, the bass puts out the sum from both pickups with the toggle switch and control knobs working as usual...and gets split when another jack is plugged into the remaining output socket? (Something like the L/Mono + R outputs on keyboards and midi sound modules?)

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Feb 24, 2003 4:31 am

I wire them as to parallel mono outputs ... both pickup go to both jacks .... Billy Sheenan has his basses set up this way ...

Then you can go to 2 amps if you want, or if one jack goes bad you can use the other, or you can run 2 signals for recording ...

Actually I own 3 Rics these days and all 3 came from the factory with just one mono plug ...

I have been playing Rics for 30 years and have never used the Ric-o-sound feature ...

So plug in the mono jack and enjoy your bass sound ..

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Feb 24, 2003 4:40 am

You know ... pretty much every player who sets uses sort of stereo sound either gets little benefit or actually makes his sound worse ... I have seen many lead players who like to set up 2 amps or cabinets with a stereo delay or chorus or something ... once the drummer and bass player kick in you can't tell anything is stereo, and many times it actually takes away from their sound ...

I suppose the Ric-o-sound could be cool in a studio ... but you could achieve this same effect other ways ...

So I think it is a waste of time and money for Rickenbacker to continue to put the Ric-o-sound feature into their basses and guitars ... sort of like the tremelo feature on the old fender guitar amps ... nobody ever used it.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Feb 24, 2003 4:42 am

you know I really should proof read my stuff before posting ... duh ....

jeff_ulmer · Post by **jeff_ulmer** » Mon Feb 24, 2003 6:37 am

I think the main reason for using Ric-O-Sound would be to EQ/process each pickup individually. For recording, it allows a single performance to be captured on two tracks and blended later. For live sound, using different amps for the neck and bridge. Overkill? Perhaps-I've never used it-but it does allow some more options.

As others have said, the reason you only get one pickup is because you need a Y cable with a stereo plug into the bass. A regular gutar cable will ground out the second pickup on the sleeve.

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Mon Feb 24, 2003 11:44 am

Jeff Rath Said: So I think it is a waste of time and money for Rickenbacker to continue to put the Ric-o-sound feature into their basses and guitars ... sort of like the tremelo feature on the old fender guitar amps ... nobody ever used it.

I couldn't agree with you more and have said essentially the same thing for years now. It had some validity back when amps didn't have channel switching but today it's an anachronism.

Unfortunately, every time I even threaten to make the smallest change, I get a zillion nasty messages to the effect "You've killed the model, destroyed it . . ." For this reason, this kind of change usually has to be done in the form of a new model, allowing the market to find its own way.

It's not a coincidence that the 4004's don't have this "feature".

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Feb 24, 2003 12:04 pm

Amen John ... Maybe you could do like you used to do in the '60's offer instruments with or without ric-o-sound ... or make it an upcharge and an upgrade ... you never put stereo on the 5 or 8 string models ... or the s models ... or the v63 models ... we all survived just fine with those basses ...

My '68 Ric 4001 came without a Ric-o-sound and I never missed it at all ...

So maybe a new mono 4003 could cost $50 less without the stereo plug ... I would go for it ...

that brings up another anachronism ... the mute ... nobody uses it ... the screws rust, the metal plate rusts, and the rubber dry rots ...

boy they would really complain if you changed the tailpiece ....

But I would like to see a tailpiece / bridge assembly that looked the same but was a little more adjustable ... most basses have those ugly folded metal ugly things for bridges ... but then are easy to adjust ...

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Mon Feb 24, 2003 12:12 pm

I think that the design of the rickenbacker tailpiece is great, and should be kept as is, the fact that it is not very adjustable is good, we all have less to fiddle with. but i agree, the mute is worthless. the screws rust, and the rubber pad lifts of the metal plate.

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Mon Feb 24, 2003 12:29 pm

See, Owen demonstrates the problem well, no offense. I'd LOVE to completely redesign it and make the part work as a modern one should. But too many people like the things as they are.

Options don't work for us the way our factory operates- there's already far too many now.

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Mon Feb 24, 2003 12:33 pm

well, at the end of the day it is just a bridge...