Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Andrew, congrats on a nice JG. Finish might be a little rough, but like you said the frets are good and the bubinga of the fretboard is gorgeous! You might be surprised by the maple under the black also, should you decide to refin. The neck looks nice and straight. My late '75 is a joy to play and has great tone. That new bridge pup will add the 4003 edge to the tone, but that's not bad either. If it really bothered you, you could unwind it to the 8.4k the 70s high gains were.

Yeah I'm thinking about a refin. I kinda like its mojo but I'd also love to see it back to its former glory (.... eggplant... hmmm).

How big a difference would unwinding the pickup make?
I'm also considering a RI toaster.

The high gain in the neck is original and wound the same as the original bridge pup would have been. Mine are both right about 8.4K ohms on the windings. The 4003 bridge high gain coming on your bass will be around 11.4K. It will be a little more in your face, a little more aggressive sounding, a little less gentleness and clarity. Compare the two pups when you get it and, taking into consideration the different positions, listen to the "flavor" of each and you should get the idea.

Andy,

Congratulations! That's one great bass at a fabulous price!

On the refin, I'd leave it as is - doesn't the relic vibe add value?

Congrats, Andrew. I wouldn't refin that bass, I'd leave it just the way it is. It looks like it's ready to rock.

johnallg wrote:The high gain in the neck is original and wound the same as the original bridge pup would have been. Mine are both right about 8.4K ohms on the windings. The 4003 bridge high gain coming on your bass will be around 11.4K. It will be a little more in your face, a little more aggressive sounding, a little less gentleness and clarity. Compare the two pups when you get it and, taking into consideration the different positions, listen to the "flavor" of each and you should get the idea.

Hey thanks. So an option would be to move my neck PUP to the bridge and install a RI Toaster in the neck posn.?

rickenbrother wrote:Congrats, Andrew. I wouldn't refin that bass, I'd leave it just the way it is. It looks like it's ready

I hears ya. But I'm a furniture maker/restorer and for me its a bit like having a really huge pimple on my chin and NOT squeezing it.

If all the parts were original I would leave it as is, for collectibility, but since it has a bunch of new bits and pieces, I agree it is a good candidate for a refin, maybe in a rare/unusual/custom colour?

Mark, your avatar looks an awful lot like Aitch.