Cheyenne bass owners , or want to be owners ?

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Wed Apr 10, 2002 11:53 am

Has anyone here played one of these basses?

What do you think as far as tone plugged in ?

As far as the feel of them ?

As far as the control plate NOT being recessed?

As far as how they play?

Anyone had any problems with theirs?

Do you love it ?

How much different than a 4003 are they ?

dave_axt · Post by **dave_axt** » Fri Apr 12, 2002 5:13 pm

Hey Mark,

There is one hanging at the Guitar Center by the South Center Mall. Check it out.

I had a Cheyene I model for a while. I liked the sexy walnut body...very sensual to touch. The neck was a Louisville Slugger - fat and wide. The unfinished maple gets dirty quick. The sound was P-bassish not Ricklike. The controls were mininal. I was also leary of the gold hardware since gold hardware is notorious for flaking.

Conclusion: I sold the bass.

johnashfield · Post by **johnashfield** » Fri Apr 26, 2002 1:35 pm

I had a 4004c in 1993 when they first came out. They sound kinda dull and lifeless, but were very comfortable to play. What I always wanted to see RIC do, was make a 4001v63 with the contoured body.

In fact I have a 4003s/5 and was thinking of having the body done like a 4004. I liked the satin feel of the neck and body of the 4004.

Maybe a 4004 with Toasters would sound better, I just thought the sound was dull dull dull. Not like a RIC at all.

Was this because of the humbuckers? The walnut wings? The lack of heavy varnish?

robj · Post by **robj** » Tue May 07, 2002 9:02 am

I have a 4004C and a 4004C-II and I love them both. I'm not after the "classic" RIC bass sound (I have a 4001, 4003 and 4001CS for that purpose) but wanted something that has the RIC character but more subtle and in my opinion useable. The 4004 basses fit the bill for me and I do intend to purchase one of the new 5 strings. Both my 4004's play great after I spent some time getting the neck relief set to my liking.

I agree that the maple fretboard on the 4004C gets pretty grungy but I finished it along with the rest of the bass with tung oil and that took care of that problem.

robj · Post by **robj** » Thu May 09, 2002 6:20 am

Mark,
My anwers to your questions at the start of this thread:
Has anyone here played one of these basses?
I have a 4004C and a 4004C-II

What do you think as far as tone plugged in ?
I really like these basses, they have their own tonal characteristics and are different from the 4001/4003 basses.

As far as the feel of them ?
I especially love the feel, again very different from the classics with a thinner lighter body and no binding. The necks are great too, not as nice as my '86 4003 or '72 4001 but I do like them. My 4001CS on the other hand has a very chunky neck in comparison, the 4004 necks are somewhere in between.

As far as the control plate NOT being recessed?
This bit is a little odd I think, on the other hand the plate is quite small and the edges are bevelled and I don't really notice it feeling strange or anything while playing. It does look funny though, like something was missed when the bass was built.

As far as how they play?
Both of mine play great. I did go through some trials getting the neck relief and string height set though but once that was done I was well satisified.

Anyone had any problems with theirs?
My 4004C-I had to be sent back to the factory because the neck pickup died. They replaced both of them and I had it back in a week or so.

Do you love it ?
Absolutely. I play these basses all the time while my classic Ricks get some playing time once in awhile. I like the 4004C tone better for the music I play.

How much different than a 4003 are they ?
I'd say they are very different basses with their own sound and physical characteristics.

You aren't that far from me Mark, I'm in Everett and if you'd like to check them out some time maybe we can make that happen.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Sun May 26, 2002 9:50 am

I'm looking forward to the availability of the new 4004/5Cii bass.

turlu · Post by **turlu** » Mon May 27, 2002 2:59 pm

Are the Cheyenne 4004 CII/5 string available yet ???

How is it to slap on a Cheyenne ???

I just can`t wait !!!!

Makes me thinking of selling my Gibson Thunderbird 1976 Bicentennial for a Cheyenne 5 string in red !!!

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Mon May 27, 2002 4:16 pm

Are the Cheyenne 4004 CII/5 string available yet ???

They won't be available for a few more months. I want to get a trans red one myself, I'm just not crazy over the gold hardware, I'd prefer chrome or black, so it will stay looking good after many years.

robj · Post by **robj** » Tue May 28, 2002 9:03 am

Hi All,
I'm not much of a slapper, so I do just as poorly on my 4004C-II as on any other bass I have. It's a great bass really and I don't see why it wouldn't work fine for slap style playing. My 4004C-II is trans blue over really beautiful tiger stripe maple. I will be getting a trans red 5 string as well. It looks like that may be a popular color judging by recent posts.

dave4004 · Post by **dave4004** » Mon Jun 17, 2002 7:49 pm

Mark, to answer your questions:

Has anyone here played one of these basses?
I own a 1993 4004C

What do you think as far as tone plugged in ?
I love it. It's all Rick with the classic punch but without the single coil noise, yet it has its own thing going.

As far as the feel of them ?
Neck profile on mine is very much like a 4003, and is very fast with the oil finish (unlike some other oil finished basses I've played). I do like the body contours but the lack of contours on my 4003 never bothered me.

As far as the control plate NOT being recessed?
Doesn't bother me. I just assume they needed the same cavity depth as on a 4001/4003.

As far as how they play?
It plays great.

Anyone had any problems with theirs?
No.

Do you love it ?
Yes.

How much different than a 4003 are they ?
I really feel that the differences are subtle. It's definitely a Rick. No mistaking that tone.

mortivan · Post by **mortivan** » Tue Jun 18, 2002 12:16 pm

Interesting...

I wonder how the new 5-strings are going to sound...

Thanks for the insight Dave. I was under the impression that Ric lost "the sound" with these models. Glad to hear otherwise.

ricnvolved · Post by **ricnvolved** » Sat Jun 22, 2002 10:21 am

It's long overdue, but I want to post a huge "THANK YOU" to Mark Arnquist for his professional work on my 4004C-I. Mark was gracious enough to convert this bass to a fretless with contrasting walnut replacing the fretwires. He also removed all of the hardware to give the bass a thorough check out & perform any necessary maintenance. The quality of Mark's work was topflight in every respect and it's difficult to imagine that anyone else could've done as good a job. Mark then strung the bass with a fresh set of Thomastik-Infeld Jazz flatwounds. I now have, for all intents & purposes, a brand new bass that plays and sounds as good as it looks.

Anyone needing the highest quality work done on a guitar or bass by a true professional.......... Mark Arnquist is THE MAN!

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Sun Jun 23, 2002 12:00 pm

I am also looking forward to the availabilty of the 4004/5Cii. I think it's going to take longer than RIC first anticipated. I saw the prototype (the one in the picture on the RIC website) at the NAMM show it looked very nice. I want one in trans red, or possibly black with chrome hardware if possible.

banta · Post by **banta** » Mon Jun 24, 2002 1:59 pm

I want a translucent black one with black hardware. C'mon guys, black hardware! Don't make me come over there.

barroso · Post by **barroso** » Tue Jul 16, 2002 1:26 am

i am from italy and i own a 4001, i want to try a 4004 for sure, i am really interested in those new pickups and a 5 strings could be great too.