4004 pickup spacing

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Wed May 17, 2006 5:52 pm

I have been longing for a 4004 and it looks like one might have come my way, a used Cii.

I'm very excited about it, but my one worry is that the neck pickup is away from the neck, rather than flush against it.

I know Jeff Scott had a problem with his truss rods on a similar bass and it was was quite a big repair from what I understand. Is it worth it to take a chance on one of these basses, or should I just wait and get myself a new one? What are the pros of having the pickup where it is?

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Wed May 17, 2006 6:04 pm

Truss rod problems are really pretty rare. It is certainly worth the risk.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed May 17, 2006 6:47 pm

According to JH the 4004 neck is stronger than the 4003 ...

I would say that 99% of Ric basses will never need the truss rods replaced ...

it is my opinion that the current necks are slightly overdesigned ... this is good for me since I add an 5th string to my basses so the strong neck is a bonus ...

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed May 17, 2006 6:49 pm

both pickup positions sound good on the 4004 basses ...

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Wed May 17, 2006 6:52 pm

I prefer the current spacing for aesthetic reasons but would have no issues with getting the intermediate spacing otherwise. Truss rod problems are rare with Rics so go for it!

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Wed May 17, 2006 7:34 pm

Very reassuring! Thanks guys.

heinpete · Post by **heinpete** » Wed May 17, 2006 9:10 pm

My preference is the more distant to the neck position of the PUs. As I had already an early version of the 4004Laredo I could compare to the 4004Cii I bought from Mark Henson. I summary the far neck PU spaced 4004Cii is slightly more brilliant in sound and definitely much more easy to slap and pull playing style.

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Thu May 18, 2006 1:06 am

Peter, I take it you swapped the chrome/gold hardware between the Laredo (left) and Cheyenne II ?

edski · Post by **edski** » Thu May 18, 2006 1:11 am

I would guess all else being equal, the "common" (i.e. current) spacing would be a richer tone. Kind of like playing closer to the neck vs nearer the bridge.

The Cii is the maple/walnut/maple sandwich, which would balance the extra brightness due to the PU spacing. But from Peter's post it doesn't sound like it does much. My Laredo has the same PU spacing and neck woods as Peter's Cii - I find it has plenty of bottom, but can honk with a pretty strong treble bite.

Part of the honk, and maybe part of the reason why Mark didn't like that 4004 Cii, is a noticeable high harmonic I hear on the open strings. It's the same harmonic that's just about even with the neck side casing of the bridge PU - approximately the 2nd fret...but there are a lot of harmonics in that region. But I think it is not entirely due to the PU location, if at all, since I hear it prominently when playing unamplified. With the band I had no problem with it.

I think it might be more a factor of old cheap strings...but I also think those harmonics are present in the "vibe" of the 4004's, and may not be to everyone's liking.

But I love my Laredo just fine. Easily my #1 instrument of 3 basses (a 75 4001 and a fretless J Bass).

vito · Post by **vito** » Thu May 18, 2006 1:17 am

Wow, I like the chrome on the tranny red. Very nice!

heinpete · Post by **heinpete** » Thu May 18, 2006 3:12 am

Paul, you're right!
Ed, I experienced the Cii having more bite than the Laredo (all maple) although my VVT mod (thanks again, Jeff!) is done with the stock pots as I could not get suitable 1MegOhms (they already closed the volume after just a very small turn) Although very reluctant to spoil my frets, I will also use stainless steels in the future on the Cii to even enhance the bite. My 4003 does bite excellent with nickel rounds, but is a pretty heavy axe (more than 4,5 kg).

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Thu May 18, 2006 4:35 pm

John, I also say go for it. I love my 4004Cii, it has the pickup spacing away from the neck. I wish I got it sooner than I did.

edski · Post by **edski** » Fri May 19, 2006 12:50 am

Anyone ever hear that odd high harmonic that I speak of?

Not that I've had a chance to change strings or anything.

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Fri May 19, 2006 1:17 am

I get a harmonic "chirp" when I pick above the bridge pickup.

zoomduck · Post by **zoomduck** » Fri May 19, 2006 11:19 am

Ed . I hear that harmonic.....sounds like it resonates through the whole instrument....I never hear it amplified but I like the fact the bass is so lively.....The more I play my 4001 and 4004 Cii back to back , the more I appreciate the 4004 .It is a very rich sounding instrument . I especialy love its picked sound .