Rewiring a 4001

seth_lorinczi · Post by **seth_lorinczi** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 1:11 pm

Hi there,

I'm restoring a '74 4001, and just got the treble pickup rewound by Lindy Fralin (nice folks, fast and professional). My problem is this: Without the .0047 treble pu capacitor in place, there's a distinct loss of bass response when both pickups are engaged and volume full up.

At first I suspected that I had merely switched the leads from the treble pu, but the problem persists no matter which way it's connected. Is my only solution to reinstall the .0047 capacitor?

Thanks much in advance!

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 1:19 pm

This is normal Seth, on any Rick - with both pickups selected and turned up full, some weird electrical canceling happens and the low mids cut back. Simply back off the volume for the neck (bass pickup) a small ammount, then the fullness with return.

Or you can back off the treble pickup volume instead, but it dont sound as loud.

Dont put the cap back, itll "waste" the treble pickups great full crunchy sound

YOUR BASS IS WIRED FINE!!!

seth_lorinczi · Post by **seth_lorinczi** » Sun Oct 12, 2003 6:19 pm

Got it...thanks so much Owen, read your post on the technical forum too, I feel a lot more informed. Though I'm still not sure whether or not I'll leave the cap in!

Best,
Seth

jeff_ulmer · Post by **jeff_ulmer** » Sun Oct 12, 2003 6:34 pm

If you are undecided about the cap, you could always install a switch to put it in and out of the circuit. I replaced one tone control with a rotary switch which does just that, and the nice thing is it is a reversable mod, and doesn't change the look of the bass.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Mon Oct 13, 2003 11:52 am

That should not happen, you should only lose mids not bass, with both volumes on full your bass should be very deep with a slight treble click. maybe your treble pickup is now much hotter than the bass pickup, try lowering it, I now set mine by ear with volumes from both pickups at approximately the same volume when soloed. With the volumes on full my basses are very bassy and trebly at the same time with no mids. That is the way they sounded from the factory during the 70's, I bought one brand new in 77 and tried several other brand new ones back then.
If you are losing bass, something is wrong, possibly in the wiring, or else your treble pickup is way too loud and is overpowering the bass pickup, you want a nice balanced mix between the two, my treble pickups are low in the cavity, about the same distance from the strings as the bass pickup. Try my ideas in the Vibrola post.