4004LK Pick Up Problem

j_gary · Post by **j_gary** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 1:04 pm

Hello gang, interested in some opinions from the troops.

I own a 4004LK, #27, and one of the pup's has decided to take a powder. No signal at all when toggle switch is in the down position.

Had a local tech check it out to make sure it wasen't an operator problem. Diagnosis was the pup took a powder and needs to be replaced.

It seems I have two options.

1). Send the bass back to RIC for a full repair under warranty. My problem is turning over this bass to the shipping demons with all the associated risks. Under this scenario, insurance gives me no piece of mind. I would pay hello trying to replace her.
2). Ante up and play for the repair myself to be done locally, upon which would void the 5 year electrical warranty.

Thoughts, opinions, donations?

Also, would anyone know where I might find a replacement pup? RIC is out of stock at the moment.

Thanks, Gary

j_gary · Post by **j_gary** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 1:07 pm

Play for repairs?

Could not get much done for my playing. I think I had better just pay for the repairs.

Thank you and good night.

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 1:19 pm

Gary for what its worth, I dont think I'd ship off a Lemmy. Some may disagree, but I wouldnt do it.

I really cant imagine why the Pup decided to **** out on you though.

Drop Jeff Rath a line, I think he has lots of parts lying around his "laboritory", and my have one. A few forum members have replaced the hb's with toasters, so it should'nt be to hard to locate one.

j_gary · Post by **j_gary** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 1:36 pm

Thank you sir, I'm leaning that way.

I fear if I talk to Jeff I'll end up with a 5 string Lemmy.

Hmmmmm................?

dale_fortune · Post by **dale_fortune** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 1:40 pm

Take the pickup off and send it in for repair. There's only 1 thing that goes wrong, the coil wire breaks. If you are worried about shipping the whole instrument and you can't get it fixed because taking the pickup off may void your warrantee, then have it rewound by Sergio or some one who is experienced in this type of work. I rewind them to various specs, it costs $50.00+shipping, about $4.00. either way I'm with you when it comes to shipping the whole instrument off for this type of repair....

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 1:47 pm

Good advice Dale.

j_gary · Post by **j_gary** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 1:49 pm

Excellent idea Dale, I did not consider or think of that option. Thanks!

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 2:15 pm

Hmm... Pickups on a 4004LK are humbuckers, right? My question is, can you rewind a Rickenbacker humbucker? I don't think so. Anyone correct me if I'm wrong.
What are the alternatives? One, finding a replacement pickup; two, substituting a toaster pickup for the original, perfectly dead humbucker; and three, having someone custom build you a new pickup. A couple years back I built a single coil, plain top (= concealed polepieces) pickup for someone's 5-string Rickenbacker bass. I never had any feedback from that someone, but I'm sure my pickup delivered the goods.
Your call.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 2:21 pm

I can look at it and test it with an ohm meter for free ... but if it is under warranty I would have Ric fix it ... Have you talked with the guys at Ric? They seem to be a friendly helpful bunch ... the worst case scenario is it needs a $100 part ... but it could be loose wire on the toggle switch ...

The first thing to do is to open it up and look for loose wires ... all you need is a screw driver ... but maybe your tech already did that ...

And no this bass is not a candidate for a 4-2-5 conversion ... use a regular 4004 for that ...

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 2:28 pm

The Lemmy bass has 3 pickups right? and I believe when you toggle the selector to the bridge position you have actually selected the birdge and middle pickups ...

So if only one pickup is bad then wouldn't the other pickup work when the toggle is in the treble position?

The more I think about it the more it sounds like a wiring problem.

And Sergio you are right ... rewinding a hb1 pickup would be difficult ... those things are glued together in a way that you have to destroy them to get to the coils ... it would be easier just to buy a new one and drop it in ...

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 2:38 pm

Not much of a tech man here,,,,but could it be the switch????

dswp · Post by **dswp** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 2:43 pm

To me it is a no brain-er. The bass is worth between $9000 00 to $15000.00. I would not ship the whole thing off to Ric under any circumstance. The risk of shipping damage is too great.

If it were me, I just would purchase the new pick up and be happy that I had such a killer bass.

ken_j · Post by **ken_j** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 3:14 pm

Gary,
Email me at my profile. I have a pickup and will be happy to help you out as soon as tomorrow. I will even install it for you if you like.

j_gary · Post by **j_gary** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 7:41 pm

Thank you all very much for all the helpful suggestions and offers to assist with repairs. I was ready to jump from a tall bridge when she died, but thanks to all the kind words, I'm now looking for a shallow bridge.

I have received generous offers of assistance from forum members, and former members, for which I am deeply grateful. You guys are the best.

Scott, I had an "expert" look at her before I began shopping bridges to jump from, and he diagnosed a bad pup, that the switch was okay. I shall contact Ken on his kind offer of assistance for a proper examination.

Jeff, thank you as well for your consideration. If things get ugly here, I'd be happy to take a road trip to see what you think. Yea, the 5'er would be a mistake for me unless you could add some longer fingers to my hand. Oh, and add skill to my brain.

Thanks again, Gary

j_gary · Post by **j_gary** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 7:48 pm

Dave, I'm glad to hear that great minds think alike. I considered for a second shipping her back and immediately broke out in a cold sweat, began to shake and drool. Thoughts about taking up the tuba began to enter my head. I hear Jeff can make them a 5'er.