1969 4000 / 4001S Conversion Pix

[JakeK]

Kevin, that is absolutely AMAZING!!! You say you got the bass itself from CME, didn't you? How much did it cost when you bought the bass itself, and how much have you invested in it?

It looks a hell of a lot like a RM1999, aside from the hi-gain, but I'm sure it doesn't bother you much, does it? I bet if John Entwistle were alive to see it, he'd be jealous and say (with that growly voice of his), "My Ric 4001S wasn't HALF as good looking (or playing) as that!"

[sloop_john_b]

As a collector - I wonder if and how much will the modification harm the value of this vintage bass.

Not at all, Gil - no routing was done, pickguard is new, wiring is new.

[LeftyRickBass]

OH MY GOD!!!! That bass is giving me a (ahhh, well, I think you know)

LeftyRickBass









The White Zone is For The Loading And Unloading Of Passengers Only!!!!

[rickcrazy]

Great, Kevin!
As for that "green" high-gain, yes, it should perform much better with a "new-style" magnet on it. However, removing the original, "skinnier" magnet is not easy, so, it better be left alone

[jwr2]

If you want that bass to totally kick *** then try putting in 2 new 4003 high gain pickups and no .0047 capacitor. 60s basses with modern 4003 pickups make for a really nice combination. Plus it is completly reversable.

Also did you wire it up with 500k ohm tone pots and 250k ohm volume pots? That would be period correct, and give it the 60s bright sound. Or for a smoother mellower sound you can use all 250k ohm pots.

[teeder]

Thanks everyone! I am very happy with how it turned out.

As I said, there are no new holes or routes, plus I put the original guard and wiring away and used new.

Also did you wire it up with 500k ohm tone pots and 250k ohm volume pots?

Jeff, yes that is how it is, but also with a push/pull tone pot for the cap on the bridge pu.

As for that "green" high-gain, yes, it should perform much better with a "new-style" magnet on it. However, removing the original, "skinnier" magnet is not easy, so, it better be left alone

I think I'll keep an eye out for a large magnet version for it.

[rickcrazy]

If it's sheer output you're after, a legit '70s or '80s bridge high-gain REWOUND to current 4003 specs is your best bet.

[teeder]

The output is fine. I have my V63 if I want to blast something.

[rickcrazy]

Eh!

If the slightly off neck pickup is anything to go by, I'm assuming the new pickguard to be an off-the-shelf rather than custom-made item. Am I right?

[johnallg]

Yes, Sergio, it is a RIC guard. I am curious as to why RIC guards are off like that.

[teeder]

The tracing I sent to Tony was a combination of the original 4000 guard shape and the control hole pattern and toaster hole from my '71 4001. whether or not he used an off the shelf guard or not, I have no idea. I will say everything lines up perfectly to the tracing I made, so maybe the '71 toaster pocket doesn't line up right to this bass. I should have checked that out closer.
For some reason I didn't notice it until I took the pictures.

[rickaddict]

Oh well. If its any consolation, I've seen actual RIC guards made back then where the toaster lined up about the same. Makes it more... "authentic!"

[teeder]

Yeah, it looks exactly like Wints '69 4001 that is one number away from this one.

[johnallg]

Kev, the C64 guards are that way, my '75 4001 is that way, and IIRC my 4003s are that way also, thus my question.

[teeder]

Hmm?