Comparing 4001 pre '74 and the '74 tones... help me

Juliano_Barata · Post by **Juliano_Barata** » Sun Jul 08, 2001 5:22 pm

Hello there Rickfans,

Can someone clear out my mind about some comparison doubts between these basses (as I said, the '74 4001 and the pre-'74 4001) that have been making me insane?

1: What's the TONE difference between the '74 neck pickup and the toaster one?

2: What about the difference between the '74 BRIDGE pickup and the HORSESHOE one?

3: If someone that owns both basses write a bottom line about what goes on with each one I'd be so much thankful!

That's it! Short enough to drive me nuts. Mine is a '74 fireglo, NA 003. Back of the body is a little bit scrapped, but I love this bass (except for a dumb E which I can't understand what happens... I think I'll replace the bridge)! Here in Brazil, a bass such mine is a rarity... nothing to say about the pre'74s!!!

Keep playin'!!!

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Sun Jul 08, 2001 6:23 pm

What do you mean ..."a dumb E"

Can't you intonate it? Do you mean that ,as you play up the neck ,it is not in tune with the other strings?

Or....is it not as loud as the other strings?

Or you have a set of odd strings on the bass of different types?

Explain please ,then I can address the problem and perhaps give you an answer.

And hello Brazil!

Juliano_Barata · Post by **Juliano_Barata** » Mon Jul 09, 2001 7:50 am

Mark,

The E is perfectly in tune, yes... even at higher frets, the tuning difference in octaves is more than minimal.

The problem is that the E string does not have brightness in its sound... almost at all. That's the 3rd string pack I'm trying... DR, Rotosound and now the Daddario's Slowounds.

Did not take a clock to measure, but I think the sustain is also affected.

There's something I should tell about these saddles, though: don't know if it is like it is in mine, but the strings are NOT just "resting" over these saddles; there's kinda of small cavity where the strings are touching them.

Don't know if this wear was made by time, or if this was an attempt of the previous owner to get a lower action.

IF I get new bridge saddles (I hope that this is the name of the part of the bridge, where the strings are "in touch" with the bridge) will my problem be solved?

Oh, I almost forgot... could you tell me the difference between the pickups? I was just wondering if it would be worth to change the neck pickup for a toaster.

Just hope I'll be in North America someday (even because I've got a friend living in California)... and I will not come back until I get an "at least 72" 4001!

Geddy rules!

gt76 · Post by **gt76** » Thu Jul 12, 2001 9:03 am

Juliano - I hope that someone answers your pickup question. I asked the same thing under "Rick bass" in this forum and as yet have not received a response. I too am considering changing out the neck pickup in my '76 4001 for a toaster but would like to hear some opinions first.

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Thu Jul 12, 2001 9:42 am

This is a question for John Hall to answer .

I will let him take this one

chucksimms · Post by **chucksimms** » Thu Jul 12, 2001 9:57 am

Well, I'll have a go. I'd be interested what others have to say. I've got a '89 4003S with the 'pole' pickups (high gain I believe they're called) and a CS4001, which has a toaster and a horseshoe. I've removed the magnet covers for the horseshoe. Both pickups, particularly the horseshoe, sound better IMO. They have more output, and seem a little more full throughout the entire spectrum.