Rickenbacker...over-rated?

woodman · Post by **woodman** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:29 am

Along the lines of the original topic (ahem!) I bought a 4001 BG in 1982. I have never done a set-up on it and, it plays fine for me. I recently bought a used 2002 4001c64 FG from POTR and it plays fantastic to my tastes right from Chris. Last year, I bought a 4004cii from POTR and it is my least favorite bass of the six I own. The action is high (can be fixed) and the tone is quite muddy and lacking any real definition.I suppose I'll keep it because it is a beauty and has value (Monty Brown), but I doubt that I will ever gig with it. Each one is different , and it is a liaibility to not be able to touch these things before purchasing! Oh, this is my first post here! Woodman

ps. Do any of you Northern Ohio guys have a good luthier to work on these gems? I could use a recommendation.

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:32 am

Although not a "luthier," Jeff Scott is in Cleveland and a real pro musician and can help you "set up" any bass and maybe help you tweak the Cheyenne so you can get good vibes from it.

teeder · Post by **teeder** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:42 am

Welcome, David! From another Indians fan!
I'm just across the PA line from you.

woodman · Post by **woodman** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:23 pm

Thanks Paul.Kevin, I was in Corry today. Been spending alot of time in the Erie area as of late!

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:18 pm

David, one thing about the 4004 is that, mainly due to their humbucking pickups, the tone is much more biased towards the bottom end with less top end. If the tone on your amp is set for single coils, the sound may be muddy. What you need to do is start flat and adjust it from there. If that still doesn't do it for you, you can switch to single coil RIC pickups. I have 4004's with both and while the tone from each is different, none of them are what I'd call muddy.

jps · Post by **jps** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 3:09 pm

Welcome David! Mmmmmmmmm, Bar-B-Que, eh? Oh, yummy!

I can help you out, I am in the eastside Cleveland area.

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 6:44 pm

Ahh, now I get it! I remember trading posts with David over on the RIC forum. Welcome over here, David!

woodman · Post by **woodman** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 11:47 am

Ah yes! You are in the "zoo" correct?

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 12:09 pm

That would be I, yup!