4001CS - terrible?!?

prague · Post by **prague** » Mon Mar 08, 2004 10:44 am

I played a 4001CS yesterday. I pretended it was "just a Ric bass" to keep my brain level.

I thought the sound was flat and pretty lifeless. I tried picks and fingers, 1 amplifier, and headphones via a direct input to a Mackie mixer. All good gear. There are no dampers on the bridge.

I just have to hope it was a matter of old, lousy strings (they could be original for all I know). If I were in the market I would certainly change the strings (at my expense even) to see what this thing "really" sounds like before buying it.

But, as it was, it really is a bad sounding bass. In a blind test, I would put it aside and try something else. My Jazz can actually sound more like a Ric!

Is it simply the strings? I've never heard one of these played, so I have nothing to compare to.

agplate · Post by **agplate** » Mon Mar 08, 2004 10:58 am

It must be the strings...It seems that fresh strings are the best thing for a Rick. I have Elixirs on my player 4001CS and it really sounds authentic. Of course Rotos will really give you the Squire grind, but I digress.

Just the other night, someone in the audience said "man, I love that sound". So unless there's something wrong with the electronics or the like, I believe some new strings will fix it.

By the way, my CS's do have the mute pads.

ken_james · Post by **ken_james** » Mon Mar 08, 2004 11:53 am

The question is, how much were they asking for it?

prague · Post by **prague** » Mon Mar 08, 2004 12:01 pm

$2300 or best offer. As it played though (forgetting the CS part) I would have paid $400 (heresy!).

ken_james · Post by **ken_james** » Mon Mar 08, 2004 12:11 pm

Well it's cheap considering what they've been going for. But I've never had one that sounded bad, must be strings or a bad setup.

jeff_ulmer · Post by **jeff_ulmer** » Mon Mar 08, 2004 1:12 pm

I still have the original strings on my '99 and it still sounds good. I don't know what the problem was.

madscotsman · Post by **madscotsman** » Mon Mar 08, 2004 1:39 pm

madscotsman · Post by **madscotsman** » Mon Mar 08, 2004 1:40 pm

The 4001CS will not sound like a vintage 4001 or Chris Squire's original bass. It is pretty much a 4001V63 with the Squire finish. It does not have a .0047 cap like a vintage bass would either. But it is a very nice sounding bass, and more versatile in some ways. A new set of strings is essential to have brightness and definition to any basses' sound- I think. I use GHS super steels, which are similar to ROTO-sounds, being that they are stainless steel and roundwound. I also think a bass pod or a sansamp can really bring out a "perfect balance versatile sound" with a 4001cs or 4001v63. IMHO

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Mon Mar 08, 2004 2:30 pm

I had the same situation back in '97. Dead mint CS 4001 at my local shop, I picked it up, plugged it into an SWR combo and it sounded terrible. I could here the sound trying to come out, but do to the poor setup and dead strings, it just plain sounded and played bad. But with a new set of strings and the proper setup I'm sure it would have been just fine. Yep,...coulda took it home that day for less than $900.00, but at the time I was out of work......."the one that got away"

chucksimms · Post by **chucksimms** » Mon Mar 08, 2004 9:10 pm

Heresy!

Mine sounds pretty good...

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Mon Mar 08, 2004 10:42 pm

NO problems with tone here...

ken_james · Post by **ken_james** » Tue Mar 09, 2004 3:16 am

Jared,
How is the bass doing these days? If you ever decide to let it go drop me a line, I'm sure it misses OKC.

levykev · Post by **levykev** » Tue Mar 09, 2004 4:09 am

Mine sounds good too. A nice new set of strings, with the volume up...sweet!

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Tue Mar 09, 2004 4:46 am

pretty much any bass will sound lame with old dead strings ... that's why I buy nickel wound strings in bulk and change strings a lot ...

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Tue Mar 09, 2004 7:59 am

Kendall-

Gotta hand it to ya-the ones you pass on (CS, 4003S/5BT) gives many here great pleasure!

Thanks!