Neck Pickup Spacing

heinpete · Post by **heinpete** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 9:46 pm

I prefer the 1" spacing as it is easier for slapping/pulling style. With the 1/2" spacing when slapping I sometimes hit the PU rather than the last fret. Also for the pulling with the 1/2" spacing, the PU is a bit obstructing in that location. However this is rather a rare playing style for a 4001.

deblase4001 · Post by **deblase4001** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 6:20 am

I think the routing on my 75 4001 will only accommodate the 1/2" spacing. Opinions?

Now I just have to get that duncan out of the bridge position. I bought a new high gain from the botique w/ the adjustable poles. BUT I'm trying to decide if I should I have the original pickup repaired and put it back in.

Btw, nice bass ED.

gothbin · Post by **gothbin** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:34 am

Greg, how does the SD sound compared to an original Ric PU? Always wondered how they sound.

deblase4001 · Post by **deblase4001** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:05 pm

Robin, the SD is a lot louder and fatter sounding but to me it has a more generic sound. It doesn't have that distinctive rickenbacker growl that the original pickup had.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 3:22 am

The SD's would be louder than the older higain pickups but not louder than the new ones. In either case, installing the SD's in your 4001/4003 will kill the Rick tone. If you want a humbucking pickup that is even louder, go with the RIC HB1.

lucky · Post by **lucky** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 3:35 am

I said this on the Ric forum,and it was took the wrong way by some members.
For me the best Ric tone has always come from the Ric pickups,recently i have moved my neck pickup to the half inch posistion and there was a difference.I guess there are pro's & cons to both neck pickup posistions.

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 12:24 pm

Shawn, having played my 4003 in the 1" position for quite a while before moving the toaster to the 1/2" position, I agree.

rickfan63 · Post by **rickfan63** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 2:09 pm

I had the neck pickup move to the 1/2 inch position too and added a vintage pickguard on my 4003MB. It really helped the looks of the bass, and the sound has a little more low end to it. I've been really happy with it. A vintage pickguard alone, though would help the cosmetics of the bass regardless of the neck pickup position.

lucky · Post by **lucky** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 12:11 am

I bought a V63 style scratchplate from Rickysounds here in the UK,& the bass does look & sound better in the 1/2" position.I hope that one day Rickenbacker will sell the horseshoe pickup & the split tailpiece,as an after market part to complete the vintage style look.