Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

teeder wrote:It would be interesting to hear the tonal difference with the ebony board.

Well, 4002s have ebony fingerboards.

cran wrote:This is the message I got from the RIC customer service:

"That is a 4001 that someone has changed the fingerboard. It would not have
come from the factory like that."

A bit of a turnoff.

I wouldn't say so. So, it's not completely original, but we are talking a '74 here, right? Pre-July '73 would be another story, but that bass looks fantastic. Grab it and rip it, and don't worry about a mod that actualy makes it look hot.

I can see if you are disappointed that you thought this was original, but I agree with John. As long as the mod was well done, enjoy the bass.

Still haven't got it yet.

Is there an official Rick reference song that is used as a benchmark when comparing instruments?

cran wrote:Is there an official Rick reference song that is used as a benchmark when comparing instruments?

For bass, the Official RRF Test Song® is the first third of Close To The Edge.

then,roll off the treble completely,and play "silly love songs"......

Finally got it!

Anyway, here's a little sound example for those interested in hearing it (sorry, no Close To The Edge yet):

http://www.todesplanet.de/blog/?p=72

I think it sounds okay. The buzzing might be due to the low tension roundwounds I use. These are the Seymour Duncan replacement pickups, but I have the original ones as well! Nobody in this forum will tell me I should keep the SDs if I have the originals, right?

Right!

cran wrote: I think it sounds okay.

Sounds like a Rick to me.

cran wrote: The buzzing might be due to the low tension roundwounds I use. These are the Seymour Duncan replacement pickups, but I have the original ones as well! Nobody in this forum will tell me I should keep the SDs if I have the originals, right?

Well, I very much like my Rick pickups and my 4001c64 with toaster/horseshoe is my best sounding Rick. But I do know of one bassplayer I really like with a great tone who is using Seymour Duncan's. Alan Davey, former Hawkwind, and current Gunslinger and a lot more.

Here you can see the SD:

It sounds more Rick-like than I was expecting. I'd reinstall the original pickups, but that's my opinion. Sebastian, you're the one that has to be happy with the tone.

It sounds just fine if you ask me. All instruments have potential to sound better or worse than we initially realize them to be; recently I "rediscovered" just how incredible my 2007 4003 is. Give it a good enough setup and I'm sure it'll be a keeper.

cassius987 wrote:Give it a good enough setup and I'm sure it'll be a keeper.

That's the crux of the matter, without a doubt. It's got great tone to it, but either your action is waaaaay too low or you've got to get the neck relief sorted out - possibly both. Kill that fret buzz and you've got one classy Rick on your hands. Nice find!

Pickup replacement done. I made some photos of the innards, for those interested:

Cabling:


New truss rods:


Truss rod cavity:


There are more pictures available here:
http://www.todesplanet.de/blog/?p=82

Sound example with original pickups:

http://www.todesplanet.de/blog/audio/ri ... ickups.mp3