Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

What do you think of the set neck ?

A set neck like used on the 4000 has quite a bit of surface area, since it goes all the way under the pickguard. It would be very hard to tell it from a neck through, sound wise. Also although the neck though does continue to the bridge, it's routed quite a bit where the bridge pickup is.

I've made a number of set neck basses, where the neck is inlaid all the way up to the neck pickup (which in the case of these basses is more where a P-bass PU is located) and they sound pretty much the same as the neck through I made.

I'd like to help you with an opinion on the set neck S models jeffery, but I've never played one! They're not too common. Hopefully some of the other set neck S owners will eventually chime in.

My set-neck 4001S sounds/plays no different than my 4003 or 4001CS. In fact the heel area is slightly smaller than on a neck-thru.

Your CS is an early one, isn't it Ron?

Yeah, I just found the certificate again the other day, I lose it for years on end.
I'll check it when I get home.

I have a set neck 4003s from march 82 in my collection - I've found it totally stable and a really nice feel neck wise, and even chose it for the biggest gig of my life, the Royal Albert Hall last year!! (amateur that I am, it gets equal use at my usual style of venue, "the slaughtered lamb" pub, etc...!) The previous owner finished it in the style of a CS with cream finish and horseshoe/toaster pickups. Alas due to the constant use the finish suffered so I've refinished it now to mapleglo. I kept his painted on contrasting headstock wings effect though! (don't laugh it looks quite good!!!)Incidentally this was an Ebay deal from USA to me in the UK, and we still make contact occasionally...those were the (ebay) days...

I checked my CS certificate, mine was made on Nov.1,1991.

Cool Ronn, an early one. I hear the necks are sweeter than the later ones!

Simon...if its a set-neck from '82, isn't it a 4001S? Does it have the skunk stripe?

Wow...the Royal Albert Hall. I have a friend here in Chicago that played a couple shows there. He said the same thing. Dream gig! He's primarily a small pub player. One of these days hopefully I'll get my turn!(In my dreams )

Hi Jeff - yes my mistake 4001s skunk 'n' all (all this loud music,all these rickenbackers, I get confused...!!!!!!!). Great, "friendly feeling" bass to play and I'd have no reservations about the reliability of set necks based on that one. The RAH (how familiar, eh?)was DEFINITELY way out of my usual league make no mistake, but what an experience - it was chock full...not for us though!!...Pete Townshend, Paul Weller and Ronnie Wood were "a bit" higher up the bill that night!! wore out a few autograph books backstage that night...

My set neck 4000 sounds very different, even acoustically, than any of the other Ricks I've had, but as all my other Ricks also sound very different to each other acoustically it's rather difficult to tell how much the set neck is contributing...what I will say is it seems to have more natural midrange than any others I've had, with a tighter response. My CS (also a 91) sounds a million miles away, plugged in or no...

My 4000 sounds raw, tight & punchy, my 4001 sounds laid back & dark, & my 4080(set neck) sounds big & VERY punchy with hours of sustain. All with cap bypassed or no cap.