Sound differences between 4001's?

[bob_atherton]

Shaun, interesting what you say about your '73 4000 being so good. I have three Ricks, '73 4000, '72 4001 and '78 'S'. When I gig I only take the 4000 and my Jazz Bass. FWIW I have had more admiring remarks about the FG 4000 than my other Ricks, it looks just so damn cool.

After we sound check I leave the bass on it's stand by the amps and go off for a beer. Every time I get back to start the set I get such a thrill out of seeing the 4000 waiting to be played. Never used to get that with any of my other basses, it must be love....

[bob_atherton]

[anoukane]

Just beautiful..

[rickcrazy]

YEAH!

[gray]

In my case, I'm really talking about those nuances that the aging of the wood, the aging of the pickups and the overall breaking-in of the instrument itself provides to the sound and feel. I know it's not much, but it's often because of those subtle nuances that I record so often with my 4001, and we go 24 bit, so it doesn't go unnoticed.
Thanks for pointing out those mechanical differences, though. Those are rarely touched upon in some circles. I enjoy the specificity of this forum, I must say.

[pflash4001]

Speaking of the differences in sound of these basses, do the older basses generally have lower output? I have no idea about pickup output levels or any of that technical stuff. I was just wondering how drastic the differences are. My 1979 is WAY hotter than my 1968. The 1968 has really low output. Is this normal?

[wints]

Javier,

My 68 treble pick up is really low too. These pickups from this era are not wound very hot and you have the cap in place too.

The toaster sounds great, but that treble...

[pflash4001]

Thanks. I was just wondering about that...