4004LK Shenanigans

[rickenbrother]

Nice to see someone actually playing one of those. I dont think the "mods" hurt a thing.

+1

[aceonbass]

I'm surprised you had to remove any material in the control cavity. My 4004Cii used to have concentrics in it and no additional routing was required, and that was a Les Paul spec full size pickup selector switch.

[jps]

With three pickup leads coming in I wanted room so things would not be cramped. I like space, man!

[rickenbrother]

I like space, man!

You should have been an astronaut!

[aceonbass]

When I had my guy wire the my 4004, he first wired the pots and switches together on a piece of cardboard with the same spacing, then dropped them into the cavity and wired up the pickups. I like space too, and have definitely done some routing to gain extra room, but I'd never do it on a 1 of 60 bass unless absolutely necessary. I don't think it was necessary in this case.

[incubus2432]

When I had my guy wire the my 4004, he first wired the pots and switches together on a piece of cardboard with the same spacing, then dropped them into the cavity and wired up the pickups. I like space too, and have definitely done some routing to gain extra room, but I'd never do it on a 1 of 60 bass unless absolutely necessary. I don't think it was necessary in this case.

If I didn't mention it when showing the pics it is unlikely that anyone would know it was done.......also it's not in a stress point and is still covered by the control plate. My LK is "screwed" anyway since, out of the 60, it is probably 1 in a handful being used somewhat regularly and showing player wear.

EDIT-----after looking at the pic again, I suppose it would be noticeable by someone familiar with the standard routing but it is certainly also true that the Laredo control route is uncomfortably small to do any work in....sure it can be done but why not make it more accessible and user/tech friendly? Any other bass I have owned, worked on or closely inspected has much more working room. Also, one of the 4004's I owned (perhaps the TG/Cii) had the route enlarged by hand at the factory.....is wasn't the garden variety perfect rectangle and the pots were still hitting the side of the cavity. Just sayin'.

[cheyenne]

With all the wiring options possible with the 4004, they control cavity should have been bigger anyway.

[cassius987]

As long as that bass is giving you what you want, power to you!

[s4001]

Personally, I'm glad to see it getting played and I know that bass is a lifer for ya - so rock 'er hard!

[cheyenne]

I dont want to hijack this thread, but I want to put this in a "high visability" thread dealing with the 4004 series.

That being said, how do you think this would do in a CII or Larado ?

http://www.bestbassgear.com/stellartone ... r-bass.htm

[jps]

Have you heard or tried that in any instrument?

[cheyenne]

No. I just found it on that site. Sounds kind of interesting, but a little pricey. I just thought someone may have some input.

[jps]

I have seen ads for it for a couple years now in BP and VG magazines but I have never read any reviews or heard of anyone who has actually tried one!

[aceonbass]

I've seen them too, but never heard one. Seems like it has the potential to be an awesome upgrade without batteries.

[cassius987]

You'd lose your concentrics. And it seems way overpriced unless it delivers everything it's saying and then some. Admittedly the TC on my Jazz Bass did NOTHING but my 4003 tone controls actually work so I wouldn't jump for this right away.