She's Not Wearing A Cap Anymore

bassman_bob · Post by **bassman_bob** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 5:02 am

I'm an ole timer with 4001's, back to 1973; own just 3 right now, but thats another story. Up until Saturday, I was a purist, the .0047 cap stayed in ! But in a senior moment I decided to have one of the 3 "neutered". Got her back last nite and just want to say "what a smuck I've been !" She's a new girl, with more lows and still clanking. All you 4001er's; do it !

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 5:05 am

It does make a big difference on the 70's 80's vintage 4001's.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 5:10 am

I like the old 4001 basses with modern 4003 high gain pickups ... especially 60's basses ...

the cap was really designed for flat wound strings and old bass amps ... and the old weak 60's pickups ...

bassman · Post by **bassman** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 5:14 am

I did it to my 73 4001 years ago. But I only bypassed the cap. It's still there. The bypass can be removed in 30 seconds at anytime (or removed).

Huge difference in tone with the cap bypassed!

iamthebassman · Post by **iamthebassman** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 5:36 am

Removed it from my '80 4003 a few years back. Now I can use all 3 p/u switch positions.

jps · Post by **jps** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:33 am

Just did the deed yesterday to my new 4001V63.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 1:13 pm

The V63 has a cap? I have never taken mine apart but the circuit diagram on the RIC site does not show the extra cap.

green_us90 · Post by **green_us90** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 1:18 pm

I don't think it should have the cap but then again you never know.
Like the others here, since I pulled the cap from my '75 It Is A Whole New Bass.
Big difference.

jps · Post by **jps** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 2:05 pm

I was surprised when I pulled off the pickguard to find the cap there!

thx1955 · Post by **thx1955** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 2:20 pm

I asked Rickenbacker about this when I got my 92 v63 last October, and was told that the v63 had never had the cap fitted. I've taken mine apart and there is, nor appears ever was a cap fitted.

I know this is an obvious question Jeff, but we are talking about the .0047 cap, and not the normal .047 tone caps.

jps · Post by **jps** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 3:44 pm

The white wire is the bypass.

Here is the vintage style horseshoe!

jaymi · Post by **jaymi** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 3:55 pm

Very nice Jeff!!!! Someone added that cap...

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 3:59 pm

Many years ago as suggested by my electronics teacher who was also a bassist, I installed a SPDT mini toggle switch in parallel with the .0047uf cap into my '79.

I removed the .0047uf cap from my '73, and did not install the switch. My '75 fretless will not have the cap either...if I can ever find a R-O-S output jack plate to finish it.

jps · Post by **jps** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 4:00 pm

I wonder if the person who had it before Chris Pappas did, although the soldering looks factory stock in quality and appearance.

jaymi · Post by **jaymi** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 4:04 pm

that is not a hard thing to duplicate, (the soldering that is)...we can't duplicate Chris Pappas...