Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

The dual control setup seriously limits the 4004. I like to blend the volume and tone of my pickups to get the right combination of fundamental and treble. The stack knob arrangement that Scott Doseck has used is a good way to get a broader tone out of a 4004. Jeff Rath has done some great things with the VVT setup. The are both better than the stock setup.

Kevin.....Are the humbuckers punchy? I'd say "yes"....but then again my definition of punchy may be a little different then yours.

Ted......I agree that the stacked concentric pots are a great idea. The only reason I haven't done it is because I like the tone with everything cranked and why do that with 4 knobs when I can do it with two. I get whatever tones I need from altering my technique or kicking on one of my stomp boxes.

I agree with Henny, my 4004CII has a very different tone. It took me a while, but I finally got a tone I really like after installing the concentric pots.

As far as Brians jetglo 4004, I love it!

I will have one some day.

I like to back off just slightly on the neck pickup and let the treble pickup dominate. Either pot mod would make that possible.

I'm guessing that different amps have something to do with it too, but with the amps I currently use...I'd have to say I agree with Henny. I have a 1993 4004 Ci. It is completely stock and is my least favorite Rick. I've held onto it just in case I need a different tone in my arsenal, or in case it sounds good through my next amp, or in case I decide to mod it to better suit my tastes. I don't play it often but when I do...I have to pick up one of my other Ricks (4003S's or V63 or C64 or 4001's) afterward to get me what my ears really wanted all along.

I'm sure hearing Scott's mods, or Jeff R's mods, or Brian's amp would make me a believer, but the way mine is now I'd rather keep it for wall art.

Sorry if I'm being a wet blanket on the new purchase Brian. I really do like the way it looks, I like your BT mod(it looks sinister!), and I'm sure you make it sound better than what I get out of mine. I hope you get many years of enjoyment out of it.

No harm at all Jeff. I make mine sound great for me but it may still sound hideous to you.

I noticed at the two confluences that I was at how completely different tones come out of the same Ric when in the hands of different players.....I expected it but not as drastic as what I observed. I play pretty aggressively and strike the strings as much as I pluck them so that gives me more of a bright tone. I watched someone else playing the same 4001 softer with a smoother touch and the tone mellowed quite a bit. That could explain much of the different views of the 4004's characteristics.

Brian you might really like the sound of a 2000 series bass ...

Brian, has a very hard fast attack,it works well for him he gets a great even strong tone no matter what bass hes playing.

Its a lot the player.

I can't see you new bass Brian, all I see is a black hole with a bubinga neck in the middle of it!

I really like the tone of my Cii with the SW toasters in it and VVT control setup. I too, believe that being able to alter the balance of the pickups contribute to a great tone.

I actually bought Mark Henson's 4004Cii. The first thing I did was the VVT mod and swapping the hardware for chrome with my fireglo Laredo.
The first improved the sound remarkebly and the latter the look, also considerably. Then the strings on it were sloppy and were replaced: again a gain in the sound! So overall with comparison to the Laredo, the customised 4004Cii now is much better. So, Mark, it was definitely not a very good stock instrument (a little embarrassing for a Rick-Fan like me), but it could be improved to a suitable bass. AND IT HAS THE WALNUT WINGS!!! (Maybe that is another problem?) Got a good deal!

Hey, Peter!

Great to see it's sounding better and looking a lot better too... looks fantastic! Nice to hear from you, mate. I'm glad it went to a good home.

That's a sweetheart of a 4004.

Can someone please post a diagram of the wiring of a V-V-T 4004?

For humbuckers use 500k ohm pots ... for single coils use 250k ohm pots and for a wide open hot sound use 1000k ohm pots