Re: want to see a really pretty fireglow Rick bass?
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 10:37 pm
Love the dark fireglo! 
Rickenbacker Forum, Amplifier, Bass and Guitar Register
https://www.rickresource.com/forum/
What Ken said about the 1/2" neck spacing on a 70s 4001. As to new 4003 basses, they are the best made of all 400x basses. Stop by a music store that has one and try it out. The pickups will be hotter then your friends, and the neck pup will be at 1". Judge for yourself. 1/2" spacing on a 4001 was up until the mid '75 period.crimson_dynamo wrote:Wow, thanks for all the nice comments on the song. I am a longtime lurker on this board, just thought you would all like to see my friend Joe's beautiful 4001.
To tell you the truth, I have always owned Ricky guitars, but I've long been much more of a Hofner bass guy until I played this bass. It's really, really growing on me and common decency demands that I return it to my friend soon. He doesn't want to sell it and I really don't have 3k for an early 70s 4001. Question for you wise men of such matters: if I get a used 4001 and eventually stick a toaster pickup in the neck, am I going to be roughly in the neighborhood of this bass? And would your recommend an 80s, 90s or current used 4001?
BTW, if you want to see a really pretty Hofner, check out the video for the song (shot at Abbey Road in London): http://www.corinashley.com
Moving to the 1" position leaves more maple wood where the neck meets the body and added reliability. Yes, you can rout it out for the 1/2" spacing, and take out less material than RIC used to do. I've done it, so have others. Pickguardian makes a 4003 guard with a 1/2" spacing. I hear a little more low end and not as many harmonics. Play the harmonics at the 1/2 and 1 inch positions - not much there at 1/2".crimson_dynamo wrote:Now, that's really interesting. Anyone know why they changed the spacing? I wonder if people ever re-route to do the old spacing. How much could that change the tone? I'm sure some people can year the difference.
Hmm, I experience the opposite.johnallg wrote:I hear a little more low end and not as many harmonics. Play the harmonics at the 1/2 and 1 inch positions - not much there at 1/2".