Another 4003 Project Bass
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
The exotic lumber industry uses "trade" names for wood that are not always consistent with the taxonomical genus/species names of the trees. Vermillion (or vermilion) is used to describe many different (often unrelated ) woods and cannot be relied on as an accurate description. African Padauk is often called Vermillion by wood dealers as are other woods that have a natural red hue. If you Google on "vermillion wood" you will find that the word Padauk comes up more often than not. Apparently the vermillion used in the 4004CS is from a different genus. I was confused by the trade names. There is apparently no relation between the wood used on the 4001CS and Padauk.
IMHO this is a case for a clear pickguard with a non-reflective surface like the ones you can get to display artwork. The pickguard doesn't exactly match and it also breaks up the flow of the beautiful figuring that could have continued throughout the body. Just my two cents.
I need to be enlightend.
What is the "dumpster bass"?
I need to be enlightend.
What is the "dumpster bass"?
It is pretty hard to tell what does bring happiness; poverty and wealth have both failed.
And trying to achieve happiness, I have realized there is a fine line between genius and insanity---I have erased this line.
(Ghandi-and Levant)
And trying to achieve happiness, I have realized there is a fine line between genius and insanity---I have erased this line.
(Ghandi-and Levant)
The story was that a very nicely figured 4003 was in production in the RIC factory when a grain flaw surfaced on the top that made it unsellable. The grain on the back was reported to be spectacular - too much so for the foreman to just throw it out as would normally be the case. The body was thinned out a bit and a bubinga top made to cover the bad grain. The top was carved with "German Shoulders" and bound with checkerboard. The pickguard and TRC where made up from bubinga as well. The bass belongs to JH and is reportedly now part of his studio ensemble.
Awesome craftsmanship Ted! I can't imagine how you get the binding to go around the sharp bends like on the lower horn. It also looks like you already have some new binding on the neck. This looks absolutely fantastic.
Those look like some pretty fancy clamps you have there too, with inside outside radius sections? Very cool tools.
If you have time could you elaborate a bit on how you plan to true up the main body glue joints? I guess that is the last 'biggie' to work out huh?
I'll tell you what---it's been a LONG time since I have had such a high excitement level over an instrument... I can hardly wait!
Those look like some pretty fancy clamps you have there too, with inside outside radius sections? Very cool tools.
If you have time could you elaborate a bit on how you plan to true up the main body glue joints? I guess that is the last 'biggie' to work out huh?
I'll tell you what---it's been a LONG time since I have had such a high excitement level over an instrument... I can hardly wait!
It is pretty hard to tell what does bring happiness; poverty and wealth have both failed.
And trying to achieve happiness, I have realized there is a fine line between genius and insanity---I have erased this line.
(Ghandi-and Levant)
And trying to achieve happiness, I have realized there is a fine line between genius and insanity---I have erased this line.
(Ghandi-and Levant)
Perhaps you've already thought of this Ted. If you've removed any material from the sides or neck blank, none of the holes for attatching parts to the bass will line up,other than the ones on the lower body wings, If that's the case you'll need to fill and re-drill the holes before you refinish the bass.
The sharp turns are easy when the binding is softened. Hot water is a my usual method for right angles. For this bend I used the heat from a lightbulb and pressure from a clamp. It only took a few minutes to get the desired shape this way. Afterward, I glued it in place with no difficulty.
The clamps are just off-the-shelf items from Home Depot. Nothing fancy at all. The elastomer pads make them look as though they are curved to fit the work piece.
The body joint is a bit of a challenge. The apparent solution is to use a joiner. That would probably be ok for the body segments but not so good for the neck segment. It is hard to explain but removing wood from the neck segment would cause problems. I am considering instead a slow sanding using a fret leveler (a very good straightedge) to remove the old glue and some of the pry marks from the previous separation.
The clamps are just off-the-shelf items from Home Depot. Nothing fancy at all. The elastomer pads make them look as though they are curved to fit the work piece.
The body joint is a bit of a challenge. The apparent solution is to use a joiner. That would probably be ok for the body segments but not so good for the neck segment. It is hard to explain but removing wood from the neck segment would cause problems. I am considering instead a slow sanding using a fret leveler (a very good straightedge) to remove the old glue and some of the pry marks from the previous separation.
Dane: That is correct. Besides, removing wood is always risky. I don't want to alter the shape in any way.
I have found that the parts are only damaged in a few places along the edges. The fit has been tightened up considerably just by removing the epoxy and some of the old glue. The previous work was apparently not done with adequate clamp pressure. I may be able to fill the damaged spaces with maple dust or other filler and not loose the appearance. They are very small.
I have found that the parts are only damaged in a few places along the edges. The fit has been tightened up considerably just by removing the epoxy and some of the old glue. The previous work was apparently not done with adequate clamp pressure. I may be able to fill the damaged spaces with maple dust or other filler and not loose the appearance. They are very small.
Great point Dane, and one this amateur would NOT have thought about until I went to screw the pickup covers on and then the holes would be to close together. This is a challenge indeed.
I guess my question would be; Is it better to have perfect glue joints and fill/redrill the mounting holes since they are covered with the associated parts and won't be seen? Or will the glue joints be close enough to perfect that it won't matter? I'm kind of concerned because in FG the glue joints will be highly visible in this area.
I guess my question would be; Is it better to have perfect glue joints and fill/redrill the mounting holes since they are covered with the associated parts and won't be seen? Or will the glue joints be close enough to perfect that it won't matter? I'm kind of concerned because in FG the glue joints will be highly visible in this area.
It is pretty hard to tell what does bring happiness; poverty and wealth have both failed.
And trying to achieve happiness, I have realized there is a fine line between genius and insanity---I have erased this line.
(Ghandi-and Levant)
And trying to achieve happiness, I have realized there is a fine line between genius and insanity---I have erased this line.
(Ghandi-and Levant)
Top notch work, Ted.
Hey Marty, as for the neck pickup I'm to ship for you to install on the 4003, please wait a little while longer - I just found an empty, re-sprayed 4001 treble pickup bobbin in my parts drawer. I'll rewind it to around 8.0 K, wire it, and mount it on a legit Rick magnet and baseplate and send it out together with the aforesaid neck pickup. What do you say?
Hey Marty, as for the neck pickup I'm to ship for you to install on the 4003, please wait a little while longer - I just found an empty, re-sprayed 4001 treble pickup bobbin in my parts drawer. I'll rewind it to around 8.0 K, wire it, and mount it on a legit Rick magnet and baseplate and send it out together with the aforesaid neck pickup. What do you say?
A Rickenbacker bass is much like the Jaguar E car - perennially ultra-fashionable.
Hi Sergio,
You've got to stop making me these offers I can't refuse! ...AND I've got to find a way to get even with you!
That sounds incredible---pun intended---but you are talking way over my head when you are talking different resistance windings. Can you lend your expertise as to the sound differences of the two on a 4003 Ric bass? I take it less 'hot' is more tonal response (which I prefer), and gain is not too important, because I will be using my VC1Qcs mic/instrument - pre/comp/eq/ for recording this 4003, so I'm not worried about gain at all. (quietness being the most important).
Also, if it makes a difference, I'm a long time 'round-wound' user, but since this is a special project, I may go with the more traditional flats on this baby for two reasons. I'm not interested in chewing up the frets OR neck on Ted's masterpiece, and I think it would be very cool to have the authentic 'early' sounding bass in my bag of tricks. Any opinions or advice?
Thanks again!!
You've got to stop making me these offers I can't refuse! ...AND I've got to find a way to get even with you!
That sounds incredible---pun intended---but you are talking way over my head when you are talking different resistance windings. Can you lend your expertise as to the sound differences of the two on a 4003 Ric bass? I take it less 'hot' is more tonal response (which I prefer), and gain is not too important, because I will be using my VC1Qcs mic/instrument - pre/comp/eq/ for recording this 4003, so I'm not worried about gain at all. (quietness being the most important).
Also, if it makes a difference, I'm a long time 'round-wound' user, but since this is a special project, I may go with the more traditional flats on this baby for two reasons. I'm not interested in chewing up the frets OR neck on Ted's masterpiece, and I think it would be very cool to have the authentic 'early' sounding bass in my bag of tricks. Any opinions or advice?
Thanks again!!
It is pretty hard to tell what does bring happiness; poverty and wealth have both failed.
And trying to achieve happiness, I have realized there is a fine line between genius and insanity---I have erased this line.
(Ghandi-and Levant)
And trying to achieve happiness, I have realized there is a fine line between genius and insanity---I have erased this line.
(Ghandi-and Levant)
You're perfectly welcome.
Yes, all else being equal a pickup with less wire turns will sound clearer and somewhat weaker than one with more wire turns.
Flatwound strings are a wise choice if you wish to go easy on the frets on your bass. Plus, not all flatwounds sound dull - some can sound quite bright, actually. I'm not that knowledgeable on current flatwound bass string brands, though. Guys?
Yes, all else being equal a pickup with less wire turns will sound clearer and somewhat weaker than one with more wire turns.
Flatwound strings are a wise choice if you wish to go easy on the frets on your bass. Plus, not all flatwounds sound dull - some can sound quite bright, actually. I'm not that knowledgeable on current flatwound bass string brands, though. Guys?
A Rickenbacker bass is much like the Jaguar E car - perennially ultra-fashionable.
Marty:
Treble pickup (re)wound to 7.5 K, wired, and mounted on a Rick magnet and mount plate. I'll send it out together with the '86 neck pickup in a couple of days. I'm afraid I haven't got spare height adjustment screws for either pickup assembly, though.
Treble pickup (re)wound to 7.5 K, wired, and mounted on a Rick magnet and mount plate. I'll send it out together with the '86 neck pickup in a couple of days. I'm afraid I haven't got spare height adjustment screws for either pickup assembly, though.
A Rickenbacker bass is much like the Jaguar E car - perennially ultra-fashionable.
Sergio,
I really appreciate your kindness with offering these items. Please, what can I offer in return? I have an idea! I am going to be placing an order with "Pick 'o the Ricks" for a bunch of parts and while I'm at it I'll get you some of those toggle switch handles you are looking for. If the Rick place doesn't have them I'll search around. They should be a fairly common item Im sure. You see them all the time on just about every leaf switch out there. In Black I would imagine? Also, let me know while I'm ordering from this Ric "Candy Store", what else do you need to spiff up that collection of yours?? Maybe you don't need a part now, but what about some spares? Just let me know!
Again, many thanks for your efforts and kindness.
Marty
I really appreciate your kindness with offering these items. Please, what can I offer in return? I have an idea! I am going to be placing an order with "Pick 'o the Ricks" for a bunch of parts and while I'm at it I'll get you some of those toggle switch handles you are looking for. If the Rick place doesn't have them I'll search around. They should be a fairly common item Im sure. You see them all the time on just about every leaf switch out there. In Black I would imagine? Also, let me know while I'm ordering from this Ric "Candy Store", what else do you need to spiff up that collection of yours?? Maybe you don't need a part now, but what about some spares? Just let me know!
Again, many thanks for your efforts and kindness.
Marty
It is pretty hard to tell what does bring happiness; poverty and wealth have both failed.
And trying to achieve happiness, I have realized there is a fine line between genius and insanity---I have erased this line.
(Ghandi-and Levant)
And trying to achieve happiness, I have realized there is a fine line between genius and insanity---I have erased this line.
(Ghandi-and Levant)