Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Ted is right you know the 4002 was and still is ahead of its time it is simply a very modern bass.

You only need Rickenbacker Luther’s, exotic woods and the right pickup placement plus fancy electronics (passive) and yes RIC was one of the first in the market.

And don't forget that the pickups are somehow very different than any others. We may never know how different they are. I'm sure JH will not tell & no one else is likely to find out.
It just makes you more curious!

I would prefer the look with triangle markers, maybe full width MOP. I've grown to appreciate all the other features.

Maybe JH will divulge the specs someday. Unfortunately, the 4002 pickups cannot be disassembled very easily. The aluminum back covers are riveted on. I have not felt daring enough to err, ahem.. drill them out to have a look see. Perhaps they are even resin potted inside. The skinny on the coils will remain a mystery.

not just because i have one,.........but the 4002 is the finest looking bass ric ever produced...in my opinion..........and i'm gaining a better appreciation for it's sound qualities all the time...........and besides......the thin neck suits my small hands..........

I played Gary's briefly at the 75th through an amp and was quite impressed with the sound. I usually go for a Macca "thump" but still, the 4002 sounded incredible.

Do the 4002's sound anything like a Jazz Bass? I'm wondering if that certain pickup placement is the key...having the bridge pickup about 2" from the bridge saddles, like on a Jazz.. can it get that Jaco 'burp' sound with the bridge pickup soloed?

Yes they can. I am sure Ginger can back me up on this.

I don't solo the bridge pick up..all I do is roll the tone all the way off on the middle pickup, leave them both wide open..yes it has the singing cello/jaco tone..lol..to the nth degree I might add..heres my my space for some sound clips
http://www.myspace.com/lilmissginger

i would have loved to see a pup under the neck the same way they are on the "lemmy's"........for a broader range..........but........strings and amplifiers can fix what i need......

....only up to a point. I could get the Jaco tone with the 4004Cii I had and I can get it with my 4005WB, but not so with my 4001, 4001V63 or 4003FL. The bridge pickup placement is important for that tone.

My 4004Ci with just the bridge pup and Chromes can almostl-y sound like Jaco's tone.

I have a phase reversal option in the wiring on a couple of my 4001 basses. With the pickups out of phase and the treble tone on both pickups cranked down about 70% - BOOM. There's the Jaco tone. HOWEVER - the .0047 cap has to be bypassed to achieve this affect.