Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I prefer the 1" spacing as it is easier for slapping/pulling style. With the 1/2" spacing when slapping I sometimes hit the PU rather than the last fret. Also for the pulling with the 1/2" spacing, the PU is a bit obstructing in that location. However this is rather a rare playing style for a 4001.

I think the routing on my 75 4001 will only accommodate the 1/2" spacing. Opinions?

Now I just have to get that duncan out of the bridge position. I bought a new high gain from the botique w/ the adjustable poles. BUT I'm trying to decide if I should I have the original pickup repaired and put it back in.

Btw, nice bass ED.

Greg, how does the SD sound compared to an original Ric PU? Always wondered how they sound.

Robin, the SD is a lot louder and fatter sounding but to me it has a more generic sound. It doesn't have that distinctive rickenbacker growl that the original pickup had.

The SD's would be louder than the older higain pickups but not louder than the new ones. In either case, installing the SD's in your 4001/4003 will kill the Rick tone. If you want a humbucking pickup that is even louder, go with the RIC HB1.

I said this on the Ric forum,and it was took the wrong way by some members.
For me the best Ric tone has always come from the Ric pickups,recently i have moved my neck pickup to the half inch posistion and there was a difference.I guess there are pro's & cons to both neck pickup posistions.

Shawn, having played my 4003 in the 1" position for quite a while before moving the toaster to the 1/2" position, I agree.

I had the neck pickup move to the 1/2 inch position too and added a vintage pickguard on my 4003MB. It really helped the looks of the bass, and the sound has a little more low end to it. I've been really happy with it. A vintage pickguard alone, though would help the cosmetics of the bass regardless of the neck pickup position.

I bought a V63 style scratchplate from Rickysounds here in the UK,& the bass does look & sound better in the 1/2" position.I hope that one day Rickenbacker will sell the horseshoe pickup & the split tailpiece,as an after market part to complete the vintage style look.