Sexy 74’

[Hutnick]

https://youtu.be/XB7ZhD12-mo[/youtube]

Just had share. My sexy as hell 1974 4001 got displayed prominently in our new video! I love this bass!!

[Hutnick]

I work with a touring metal band too, so I need a low B string. I’m just not a five string guy so I’ve been playing a fender PBass that is set up in a BEAD configuration. I really dig my Ric and would love to play it with my metal band but I’m on the fence with setting it up in this configuration. Have any of you guys set your Rics up as such and are there any lookouts I should be aware of with a change in string tension? I assume I would need to tighten my truss rods a bit to accommodate the lower tension. Also, I’m not sure how well a low B would work with these pick ups. They appear to be the original stock pick ups. Any input would be appreciated!

[berth]

My milage varied a bit. Some thick ( .135 ) strings did not work with some of my Rick's because the stringwidth was too wide for the bridge. Both to pass through it and also to go over the saddle. It was too much of an angle.

But the last band I was in I happily played with my '86 4003 MID/BT/BH and .125 d'addarios strings for B.

[ram]

Not sure about the B but I have done D tunings (also on my '74) with no issues. I did end up getting a 4003S5 and use D'Addario exl220-5 (125/95/75/60/40) (B tuning) but that's another story. I would think you might need to cut a new nut and do a setup on it for a B tuning. Have you thought of maybe getting a five string? The new Ric 5s are pretty damned nice from what I understand. Then you would have that lovely 4001 tuned to E and the new 5 set to B.... a beautiful world indeed! Good luck with it all.

BTW - Welcome to the forum and the video didn't work for me.

[Hutnick]

Definitely will need to open up the nut a bit. I’ll give th Daddario .125s a shot. Thanks for the heads up!

[Hutnick]

Have you thought of maybe getting a five string? The new Ric 5s are pretty damned nice from what I understand. Then you would have that lovely 4001 tuned to E and the new 5 set to B....

I hear ya, but some new strings and a set up are a bit more cost effective than a new bass!

[ram]

Understand... don't forget a possible new nut and I think I'd consider a cap bypass if you haven't done it already. I actually added a pull/push tone knob to do that with my 4001. Good luck with it. Let us know what happens!

[Isaac]

I work with a touring metal band too, so I need a low B string. I’m just not a five string guy so I’ve been playing a fender PBass that is set up in a BEAD configuration. I really dig my Ric and would love to play it with my metal band but I’m on the fence with setting it up in this configuration. Have any of you guys set your Rics up as such and are there any lookouts I should be aware of with a change in string tension? I assume I would need to tighten my truss rods a bit to accommodate the lower tension. Also, I’m not sure how well a low B would work with these pick ups. They appear to be the original stock pick ups. Any input would be appreciated!

Depending on what gauge strings are used, the tension needn't change at all. In most cases, though, the low B is smaller than needed to maintain the same tension.

[rickenbrother]

I work with a touring metal band too, so I need a low B string. I’m just not a five string guy so I’ve been playing a fender PBass that is set up in a BEAD configuration. I really dig my Ric and would love to play it with my metal band but I’m on the fence with setting it up in this configuration. Have any of you guys set your Rics up as such and are there any lookouts I should be aware of with a change in string tension? I assume I would need to tighten my truss rods a bit to accommodate the lower tension. Also, I’m not sure how well a low B would work with these pick ups. They appear to be the original stock pick ups. Any input would be appreciated!

I used to play in an all original heavy metal band and another band that played originals and metal/hard rock covers. Part of the time was before I could get a 4003S/5 (original version).
I had some 5 stringers, but I sort got tired of the weird fake sound top end of the StingRay5 ( I think they've recently changed their active circuit to reduce that). I also have other 5 stringers, but they sounded too articulate and polite for metal, so I tuned down my 73 and 79 4001's. Yes, I had to widen the nut slots.

The '73 was tuned BEAD with .130, - .100 - .080 - .065 strings from D'Addario XL-170-5 sets. I like a .130 B string, especially on the slightly shortened long scale of Ricks, or the string feels too loose and floppy to my feel.
The '79 was tuned C# F# BE I think I used the GHS Bass Boomers Heavy sets: .115 - .095 - .070 - .050

I was eventually able to land a 4003S/5,which I had to get used to playing, because of the tight string spacing and I prefer to play fingerstyle.
In January of this year, I got a new version of the 4003S/5. That baby IS SWEET and I can play it fingerstyle with ease.

Now the '73 and '79 are back to standard tuning and still playing great.

[Hutnick]

I picked up a set of DRs at .125 on the B. Hopefully minimal nut slot width adjustment and some tweaks at the bridge and I'm in business.

Unfortunately, with the pandemic flaring back up, I just got word last night that our remaining 2020 gigs have been cancelled. So it'll be a bit before I'm able to test things out in the field of battle... In any case, I'll report back and let ya know how it works out!

[ram]

The .125 B is why I like the D'Addarrios EXL220-5 set on my five string. Unless you know what you are dong and have the tools I think I'd have some cut a new nut for you. You might be able to swap them out and go back and forth with minor effort. well at least you now have time to mess around with it.