Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

OK. The DS Rick has been with me for a two or three days now. Here's my observations thus far.

So far I've only been able to practice on it and do an acousticy rehearsal. I have a gig Sunday that I'm going to use both it and my V63 on. I'm not good at describing tonal differences but after the gig I might be able to say something more intelligent about it. For now this is what I can say.

The Dark Star pickups are incredibly clean, strong, and accurate. They do a beautiful job of simply amplifying the natural sound of the instrument itself so the differences I'm hearing between the two basses is mainly the differences created by their different woods and assembly. Do you know what kind of wood the 4004 is? The V63, being a bit denser and heavier, has a bit more focused, tight sound. A bit more lows too. The 4004, being lighter seems to have a more open resonance AND great sustain. I'd say there are more high mids in the 4004 and the lows are not quite as deep. The neck has a chunkier feel. I have not measured it but I think it is simply fatter. What a looker too. It's a sexy looking bass!

Both sound great to my ear. Can't say I prefer one tone over the other at this point. I'll probably bring my V63 on my UK tour (leaving Tues!!) as I know it better, but either would do well.

The 4004 Laredo is maple. The 4004Cii is a maple/walnut/maple sandwich just for info.

BTW....glad you got the 4004LDS and that you like it.

I see. Thanks for that info, Brian. So both my V63 and the 4004DS are solid maple. I guess my v63 is a denser and heavier piece of maple.

The 4004 is much smaller (thinner/contoured) so simple mass could have much to do with the tone as well.

Because of the chunkier neck I had not really noticed the smaller body. You are right though and that could certainliy have an effect.

Thrilled you like the bass Tim. It is certainly unique and sounds like a MAN'S Rick.

It is truely the Rick of Doom!

Have fun in the UK.

I believe in modifying the bass to make it work for the player . Do the DS pickups add to the value of the instrument ?

well, maybe not, BUT they are expensive pickups so I would think they would hold their value. It's not like throwing Duncans into a Rick. They really do work well with the guitar and look vintage so they compliment the overall look of the bass. They really work well with the all black 4004 because the pickups themselves are black and chrome.

Yeah, I'm sot sure they'd look great on my FG. I've seen pics from Dude's board, it is a nice job on the install.

I'm just loathe to mod a Rick. Although I am thinking seriously about putting dual concentric pots on the Laredo. I'm pretty sure I understand the wiring and can do it.