Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

You don't need it, but it's very helpful if you want a quick switch without having to roll the volume all the way down on one, and all the way up on the other. If you're like me, you have to look at the knobs to remember which one does what, and it takes longer than a split-second to get them to exactly where I want them, even though I know what position to put them in.

The toggle switch is my favorite part of the Ric controls. In fact, if I had to, I could probably live with no tone or volume controls, and just the toggle switch (I wouldn't want to, but I could). The tone varies so much based on where your fingers are that I can get 90% of what I want from everything on full, and just flipping between pickup combinations.

I wish all basses had the option of a toggle switch. I would have one on every single one.

Mark - if you usually use the controls fully open, what benefit is there to having 2 volumes?

Last night I had a gig, and I think I had the BEST sound I've even had. Part of that has been learning how to EQ the Laredo - recently I've had a touch more treble in the mix, and last night at the behest of the drummer and singer I upped the bass a bit. I had what most would call the typical Rick growl, but a beefy bottom end.

I basically had the tone a little past 1/2 way and left it there all night. For some songs I switched to the neck pu - so I sort of negated my comments about not really wanting the switch.

But I never felt like I really needed and more tonal control. It was a fun night, and I'm really starting to love the sound I'm getting out of this bass.

So it really doesn't matter how the wiring is configured, IMO. These 4004's will get a great tone if you give it enough time to learn the sweet spot in the EQ for them, and then they are monsters!