What to do, what to do?

[cassius987]

I have been thinking of letting my 2007 4003 go (which you can hear on my Myspace on the first two and very last track: http://www.myspace.com/joshuachandlerplaysbass ), because my 2009 is "just as good" and it has the aesthetic I prefer. But yesterday my astute wife pointed something out:

"I like the 2007's tone better. It is cleaner and crisper--it shines and sings."

I wanted to make sure I understood, so I said, "So compared to the 2007, the 2009 is what?"

"Fatter. Not a lot, just a tiny bit, but I notice it."

"Muddier maybe?"

"Yes! That's it."

Ah, okay. The 2009, having a thicker neck, has more mids in its sound--something I really appreciate in a full-band setting, because it cuts through like a knife. On the other hand, for soloed passages or for those who just turn up really loud, the 2007 has a very clear tone that is a bit scooped by comparison. I have a live version of "Hat Trick" (not on the Myspace) that is a perfect example of this.

I guess my question is, with this difference in mind, is it worth keeping both, or is a minute difference like that not really worth considering--are they still functionally identical?

[ken_j]

I would consider swapping all of the electronics, pickups and wiring harness, and see if the tone stays with the guitar or moves to the other one.

[cassius987]

Remember though that I personally like both tones a lot. The mids are actually a plus for me, the 2009 gets a lot of mileage at this time. Plus, I believe that pickups are a last, very minor step on the way to a guitar's sound... They are more likely to do harm than good, I'll put it that way.

[schoolside]

I guess my question is, with this difference in mind, is it worth keeping both, or is a minute difference like that not really worth considering--are they still functionally identical?

Keep them both, I doubt you'll ever regret having too many Rickenbackers.

[cassius987]

Yeah, but I want to make room for an EBMM Bongo 5er. If Ric made a 5er (besides the 4003S/5, I want a wider spacing) I would shoot for that or at least look into it, but sadly there ain't no sech.

If the 4004Cii/5 were more common I'd buy one of those and slap some wider pickups in, too.

I don't know, I also feel like I'd regret selling either 4003.

[Duckenbacker]

Well I would vote for keeping both...why sell if you don't have to, that's my motto.

Ken

[cjj]

Yeah, keep 'em both and if you want a Bongo 5 'er, get that too. I agree with never selling unless you absolutely have to. I had to do that a while back and I still regret it. In fact I still look at every '74 Mapleglo 4001 on ebay, etc. just in case it's my old one. If I ever see it, I'll buy it back. You won't ever regret keeping what you've got, but you'll likely regret selling one...

[jc-sz]

Room is the problem?? You can always make some more room when you want to, believe me. Don't sell it, specially if they both sound (even though slightly) different.

Cheers!

[jc-sz]

PS: Nice music Joshua! I'll send you a request from my band's myspace...

[Tarrbot]

Yeah, but I want to make room for an EBMM Bongo 5er. If Ric made a 5er (besides the 4003S/5, I want a wider spacing) I would shoot for that or at least look into it, but sadly there ain't no sech.

If the 4004Cii/5 were more common I'd buy one of those and slap some wider pickups in, too.

Believe me, I was a bit put off from the 4003S/5 at first. For a long time, even playing it daily, I had difficulty adjusting to it.

Now, I'm of the opinion that I enjoy the spacing quite a lot. It took quite a bit of adjustment on my end with my fingerstyle especially but overall, I can't think of having another 5er that isn't like this.

Let me reiterate this a different way. At first, I hated the way the spacing was. But because it was my first Ric since the early 90s, I kept after it. I wasn't giving it up.

And I'm seriously glad I stuck with it. I love it. I still play it daily.

And, I envy you a bit. You have an FL 400x series. If there were 4004Cii/5 FLs about I'd be tempted to sell my soul for one. I'd even be happy with a 4003S/5 FL.

I'm convinced that if I come across a beat up 4003S that I will not only 4-2-5 it but also FL it so I can modify it the way I want without "destroying" a perfectly good bass.

I say keep them both.