Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I use a line 6 pod to add distortion ... my old 68 ric was a lot quieter than any modern bass ... so it reacted to distortion differently ... so I would have to make a whole seperate set of patches for that bass to make it hotter like all of my other basses ... I like all of my basses to use the same patches ... so that is another reason I like the new pickups ...

Classic or Modern?

Why not have the best of both worlds?

A rotary switch or a PP (push-pull or push-push) pot to replace the factory treble volume pot, that can engage/bypass the .0047 mfd cap at will would be a nice mod.

I emailed Mr. Hall asking where I could get a PP pot with a short enough shaft to fit in the 4001/4003's shallow control cavity(1 1/32"=2.4 cm). He recommended the Push-Push Pots from Guitar Jones.com.



-------------------------------------------
Available in
A250K A500K Solid(S) or Split(V) Shaft
B250K B500K Solid(S) or Split(V) Shaft

Specs
Switch Type: Double Pole/Double Throw(DPDT)
Shank: Solid or Split
Nut Diameter: 3/8¡± (9,5mm) x 2pcs
Washer: 3/8¡± (9,5mm) x 2pcs
--------------------------------------------
I haven't tried them yet but will.
I suppose the 250K is correct for our RICs, as Stock RIC bass volume pots are 250K pots.
Would anyone please tell me whether "split" or "solid" shaft is better?

My computer is to be disconnected and taken away for repair (nothing too serious) in a few hours, so here's my last message for some days.
Peter: thank you for directing me to a picture of an old horseshoe. I hadn't seen that one yet.
Jeff: thanks for offering to send me some pictures. Please do so in the next 12 hours if you can. Otherwise, wait for me to contact you in a few days.
Dave: like I said, 'warring factions' was meant as a jest. Since I've been building/winding/rewinding pickups for 22 years now, maybe I'm in a privileged position to eliminate the shortcomings of SOME of the 4001 basses I've come across with/purchased so far, without doing away with the much-discussed .0047 capacitor. To me, this is pretty much the 'soul' of the classic Rick bass guitar tone. I wish you all could hear the 4001s I've given 'the treatment' to - they would make you true believers.
I consider a Rick pickup with an ohm rating of 13.5 K, for instance, to be overwound. What's my magical number, you ask? Around 7.5 - 8.0 K tops.
See you all in a few days. Rick/jangle on!

Paul:
That PP pot is one very good idea.
Should I eliminate the mini-toggle switch from the new treble pickup?

Please don't, Sergio!

That info I gave was for our friends who were not as privileged as me. (You know what I mean.)

Like I told you, for a player that removes the handrest, your idea of a .0047 cap equipped treble pickup with a mini toggle switch on the baseplate is BRILLIANT!!!

Have you received my message regarding Sophie's neck pickup bottom to G string distance?

Thanks, Paul. Yes, I know what you mean. The mini toggle switch stays, then.

Sophie wants me to thank you on her behalf.

That photo is pure magic and sheer visual delight. I wish you could photograph my 4001s & 4080 that way.

P.S.
Paul: Yes, I did receive and answer your message.

Sergio: I knew you weren't serious about the "warring factions", we just have different opinions about the most desirable tones.

Paul: neither solid or split shaft is better. You use the split shaft when you are using push-on knobs (think Gibson), solid shaft for knobs with setscrews.

I considered a P-P pot switch. You may want to measure carefully before trying to install. I'm pretty sure there'll be a clearance problem with the switch bottoming out, thus requiring a different switch or a more radical modification.

And you are quite the photographer Paul! Your girls are beautiful!

Sergio,
Maybe I'll go visit you in Lisbon someday and I will take my camera and lots of films for your babies!

Dave,
Thanks for your explanation. One more thing learned...

John,
Thanks!!! (Love my girls! I just take pictures of them like a photographer working for Playboy and Penthouse. Aaahhh, extreme pleasure!)
I've emailed Guitar Jones, told them the 4001/4003 control cavity being 1 1/32" deep, and asked if the VPP3 pots could be fitted into a RIC bass. I'll post in this thread when I receive their answer.

Sergio ...

Don't get upset if we disagree ... I respect your opinion ... I just don't always agree with it ... I can sometime be very opinionated and aggressive in expressing it ... it is just the way I am ...

here's a picture of my 1968 horseshoe pickup ...

Jeff,
Forgive my ignorance.
What will happen if you remove the 2 Us from the assembly?
I suppose there will be no sound since the Us are the pickup's magnet.
Am I reasoning correctly?

That's right ... the horseshoe shaped U's are weak magnets ... the magnet can be weaker because it surrounds the strings and coils in 3d space ... most pickups use a ceramic magnet or alnico ... (Aluminum Nickel and cobalt mixed with iron) ... but the horseshoe is a steel alloy ... the modern horseshoe looks the same but it has alnico magnets surrounded by coils ... more like the toaster pickup ...

The high gain is basically the same pickup with a few more windings and a ceramic magnet below it ... so with more windings and a stronger magnet you get higher output ... hence a "High Gain" pickup ...

this pickup measures about 6 ohms ...