4002 Varying output

[Kopfjaeger]

Scott,

Nothing yet on the new guard. It will be two weeks today so I imagine Tony will be giving me the heads up soon that my guard is on it's way to me.

Ash, just taking out all the guard screws and shifting the guard down made a big difference.

On a side note, I swapped out the strings on the former Dave Pascoe 4002 (1982 Walnut). I was told by Chris (PotR) that he used Curt Managan strings on her in .105-.045. Not to "rock the boat" or "re-invent the wheel" with this bass, I used the same strings. Hmm, I wish I had not!! I not have a reduced A string volume on this bass where before it was fine. I also noticed a buzzing on the 12th fret G string actually buzzing on the fret between the 13 & 14. Neck as a bit of relief in this area so i looked to set the neck and found the nuts quite tight with the treble side truss rod nut touching the back of the cavity. Looks like there is a bit of tension on the neck already. I'm going to give it a day to see if it gets better. If not, I'm, going with a lighter gauge of strings and seeing if I can straighten the treble side rod end. i know, clamp the fretboard. Wish me luck. I think i now know why RIC does not make 4002 pups anymore. They are a bit of a pain in the posterior, but when they are on they are pure magic!!

It also looks like I have more tailpiece lift than before. I'll look to swap it out with a new style tailpiece.

Sepp

[Ashgray]

It also looks like I have more tailpiece lift than before. I'll look to swap it out with a new style tailpiece.

Sepp

I had similar tail-lift problems just after taking ownership of my 4002, when I changed the cheap strings that were on it for my preferred Elixirs. Just about to fix that issue by replacing the tailpiece for a 7-screw version.

I'm following this thread with interest as I'm keen to see a resolution, not only to the specific dead-spot problem, but also the successful culmination of your project, with all the work you've put in to bring this once dying bass back to life. All it appears to need is the restoring of the true, consistent 4002 sound to do that!

Ash

[Kopfjaeger]

Ash,

Keep your eyes glued to this thread. I'm wrestling with two of them now!!

Sepp

[Kopfjaeger]

Update,

My custom modified black plexi guard arrived from Tony @ Pickguardian. Thanks Tony, super job as usual. I had moved the pup locations slightly toward the G side and it worked wonders!! The E is still very powerful but the A string has perked up to the point I can actually feel comfortable playing her and more importantly, gig her! The D string needs a little "tweak" so I plan on swapping out saddles and moving the D slightly toward the G. I may opt to do likewise with the A.

I'll shoot a few fotos later and post my results.

All in all, great news on this instrument!!

Sepp

[Ashgray]

That's great and welcome news Sepp.

Another Rick old lady resurrected to the point where she can hold her own with the best!

Ash

[sloop_john_b]

Man, didn't realize these were such finicky beasts...

[Kopfjaeger]

John,

I too never would have guessed that these pups were so sensitive to placement. They are truly "kickass" pups and I could never understand why RIC did not use them in other projects. I think I know why now, although I'd like to hear the input and thoughts of John Hall on the subject. The two edges of the pup are extremely responsive while the two inner edges of the coils seem a bit weaker. That can also be problematic when your pup is flat, your are dealing with a string radius, and only the outer edges are adjustable for height.

But when they are in the "sweet spot" man do these pups rock!!

Sepp

[johnallg]

Man, didn't realize these were such finicky beasts...

Me either John.

[teeder]

Man, didn't realize these were such finicky beasts...

Me either John.

What they said!
You'd think someone would take that into account when they're designing a pick-up!

[cassius987]

Man, didn't realize these were such finicky beasts...

Apparently it's luck of the draw because I have used a 4002 bridge pickup in a number of basses with no problems at all, except when it didn't play nice when blended with an HB-1 that was out-of-phase with it. Never any volume problems on any string and I used it in neck and bridge positions (of a 4003). Scott Pope's 4002 also has no issues. I agree with Sepp that the tone of these pickups is pretty darned amazing even by RIC standards.

That said, I'm sure RIC knew about the potential for problems and scrapped the design for that reason. (Plus it was probably a very time-consuming pickup to build.)