4000 (/4001/4002/4003...) Pickup help.

[noisepunk]

Hi, this is my first post, and it will probably be my only post because though I love Rickenbacker guitars, I'm not really in the income bracket to be able to own one and don't really know much about them. I was sent over here from offsetguitars.com by a forum member over there because none of those Jazzmaster heads could answer my question. So here is a copy/paste of that post, hope someone on here can help me with this:

I've been toying with the idea of putting a Rickenbacker 4000 bridge pickup in the bridge position of my bass because like most people I really dig the sound. Not only that, but there is quite a big gap between the Jazz pickup I installed, and the bridge, so why not put something there, right?

However, if you've ever looked at one of these things, you'll know how intimidating they look. Does anyone have any information about how these work (i.e. routing, size, etc.).

I'd also like to know what the output difference between the neck and bridge pickups is because I may not have enough space (width wise) for a bridge pickup (because of that crazy metal thing it's sitting in) and I'm thinking, like some older guitar pickups, the output might be close enough to where I could fake it with a neck pickup.

I don't know what I'm asking, just any information would be helpful, thanks.

PS. I have a grainy, and angled picture of the bass if you'd like to get a better idea of what I'm working with.

[jamespaul71]

Hey there, I would think the routing for a bridge pickup would be a pain. Neck pickups, like the toaster, would be a LOT easier. I dont have the numbers but here are some diagrams of each, perhaps they will assist you in determine which is the best way to go:

Here is a diagram for a bridge pickup:
http://www.rickenbacker.com/pdfs/bpickups.pdf

Here is a diagram for a toaster:
http://www.rickenbacker.com/pdfs/gpickups.pdf

I don't think there is any problem with output from either sort of pickup, the toaster might be a little quieter because it is a lower winding but the quality is really nice. You could also use a higain neck in your bridge position, or you could cut up a higain bridge and use it too. It depends on what you want and how far you are willing to go to make it work.

[johnallg]

Here is a picture of a bridge rout.

A closeup but with shielding.

[noisepunk]

Okay, I figured as much about the bridge pickup, too big of a route. So my next question would be: does anyone know how easy it would be to remove a bridge pickup from it's oversized exterior and if that would even make sense to do (i.e. would it still function etc.)?

If that route doesn't wind up making very much sense, than a higain neck sounds like a good alternative.

Thanks for the information guys.

[doctorwho]

Welcome, Elza!

If you look at the exploded parts diagram for the bridge pickup here:

http://www.rickenbacker.com/pdfs/bpickups.pdf

you can see that the pickup is mounted to a large piece of plastic which is the smallest "unit" of the pickup itself. I do think that it could be 'trimmed down' but one is still stuck with the height, which doesn't look to be trimmable.

I agree with the others' recommendation of using a bass toaster for a cleaner installation.

[aceonbass]

The string spacing on a Fender Jazz that close to the bridge is much wider than the poles would allow for on a RIC high gain bass pickup, so string response would suffer on the E and G strings. The six pole toaster would offer better coverage, but the outer poles would still not be right under the outer strings. According to John Hall, the sound of a RIC instrument has more to do with the construction of the instrument than the pickups. If you want a brighter sound, get a Jazz style pickup with a lower ohms rating.

[paul_yan]

Welcome, Elza.

I totally agree with Dane and John Hall that the sound has more to do with the construction (design, woods, nut material and bridge structure) than the pickups. IMHO, you won't get that Rick bass sound from your bass even if you have RIC pickups on it.

[rickenbrother]

Welcome to the forum, Elza.

[rickaddict]

Welcome Elza. There is some great advice here. I'd say either go with a Toaster pickup or don't bother. Different string spacing can cause problems for pickups that have poles.

http://www.rickenbacker.com/cart.asp?vi ... ry=Pickups

We've all seen hundreds of examples of well-intentioned bass mods gone wrong. P-bass pickups installed between the stock pickups on a 4001, Jazz pickups on a 4001, etc. The woods, hardware, and pickup placement have a HUGE contribution to the overall sound of a bass. Just putting a Rick pickup on another bass somewhere between the neck and the bridge unfortunately won't make it sound like a Rick.

I hope I'm not sounding like a snob. If you look hard enough and long enough, Rick basses can sometimes be found for under $1000.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[weemac]

If you stick a toaster as close to the neck as you can (within reason) it may impart some of the Rickenbacker sound. (the deep and clear bit)
Yes, as all have said (including JH) the construction has a lot to do with the sound. But pickup placement is probably next on the list....

emac.

[BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS]

i made a custom p-bass and installed a '73 4001 treble pickup between the split pickups and bridge and it sounded great !

download/file.php?id=22056&mode=view

[noisepunk]

I figured as much about construction, I may wind up doing this someday, may not. I'm a guitar player first and foremost so I'll probably wind up satisfying my gear needs there before I invest in a 4000 (even though they're so frickin' sexy...), so that's part of where my pickup idea came from. If I do this, it looks like I'd want to disassemble a bridge pickup and have a custom cover constructed to allow for hight adjustment.

Thanks for all the info and welcomes everyone, as I said, I'm not really a rick player so much as an aspiring rick player so I may or may not post anything else; but since you all seem so nice, who knows.

-Elza

[doctorwho]

No problem, Elza, you'll be welcome any time, whether sooner or later!