Thoughts after a year of Rickenbackers

throw_this_away · Post by **throw_this_away** » Mon May 15, 2006 4:53 pm

I think it is about the 1 year b-day of my first ric... my 96 fireglo. 4 months later I got my 72 4001. My once almighty jazz has been played little since (I alternate gigs and rehearsals between my two rics).

Few things I have noticed...

I prefer the feel of the larger 80-90's body. I guess it is the fender in me but I like the mass of the larger body.

I think I prefer the slightly darker tone of the 4003, but both are awesome and I like that each has a slightly unique voice.

The 72 still has the nicest neck of any bass I have played. I think I prefer it's slightly thicker size to the 96. Tough choice though.

I find the tone on both basses is a little more muffled with both pickups on full. Rolling the volume of one back really lets the other's tone shine.

All in all... buying both was a great decision. Love the feel, looks and tone. Such a great rock bass. The addition of my tube amp was also a big part of the whole deal... tubes and rics = perfection.

zoomduck · Post by **zoomduck** » Mon May 15, 2006 5:28 pm

Nice rig John !!

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Tue May 16, 2006 12:18 pm

Nicely written testimonial, John!

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Tue May 16, 2006 12:43 pm

That is very true about what happens to the tone when both pickups are up all the way - muddy. I usually back the neck pickup off to about 9 or so. That way the punch of the treble pickup comes through better.

wints · Post by **wints** » Tue May 16, 2006 1:30 pm

There certainly feels more mass in the later bodies. The 2000 I had felt considerably heavier than all my 60's and 70's basses. My 72 is actually very heavy for a Ric bass of this period too.

With the treble pick ups from this era being weak (and capped!) and the toasters so strong, rolling back the volume on the neck pick up is essential to get some degree of clarity in the treble sound.

What the 72 has that the other two do not, is that certain presence...

throw_this_away · Post by **throw_this_away** » Tue May 16, 2006 1:56 pm

No cap on my 72.

I like to set my action really low. Then I adjust the pickup heights on so that volume is consistent from G to E on both pickups. Then I turn all knobs on full, and roll the neck pickup back to about 9.

That or I keep both volumes full and use the pickup selector switch on bridge or neck pickup only.

wints · Post by **wints** » Tue May 16, 2006 2:36 pm

None on my 72 either.

They should have all came this way...