Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

As you may have read in my previous thread, I've resently purchased a 4001.
Its in a decent nick but needs some work.

I love the tone of the Treble (Bridge) pickup but Im quite dissapointed with the neck pickup.

For referance, my 4001 doesnt have the toaster pickup it has the other style pickup (sorry dont know the tech name for it)

Doesnt anyone know of a replacement that is more bassy?
Maybe in later models that is the case?

I've done some searching and found some barts:
http://www.bestbassgear.com/bartolini-ric-pickups.htm

Does anyone have any experiance with this pickup, would it suit my needs?



Thanks!

I love the Barts.....I'm probably the only person on this forum that you will hear that from. My only concern would be that the Bart might "overpower" or not mix well tone wise with the stock Ric single coil. I replaced the p/u's in my 4003's with the Barts and they maintain the signature Ric tone but add a nice kick to the low end. Some say they sound sterile but I disagree.....they just have more of a range. It comes down to a matter of opinion.

Before swapping p/u's search for threads on "bass cut capacitor". Your 4001 has a capacitor that limits the amount of bass being produced and if you bypass it your Ric should come alive. I'm sure someone will post up info on how to do this.....very simple/effective mod. I'm not well versed in 4001's. Good Luck !

Well I've done a quick search on the forums but couldnt find any topics on the "bass cut capacitor" I guess its just a bypass from one thing to another?

Hopefully another forum user can help me out on that one.

Try this link.....

http://www.vintagebass.com/thedudepit/showthread.php?p=15916#post15916

.....it's to a different site but it has a good explanation and a pretty clear pic.

I'll agree wholeheartedly. Definitely try the cap mod first... a good friend came over last night and in ten minutes of work completely transformed my '77.

He didn't technically bypass it though... he cut it out and put a plain wire in it's place.

Yes, Bob. same here with my '75. Best thing I could have done- have lots a little of the treble bite but gained TONS of low end.

for a 70's ric take out the bass cut capaciter to get more low end ... another problem with 70's rics is the neck pickup can live in a canyon ... sometimes they are just too far away from the strings ... bart pickups are better than the seymour duncan ric pickups ... but I don't care for them ... also try putting in 2 4003 high gain pickups ... they are fatter and louder that the 4001 pickups ...

Thanks for the links guys.
Oh and Jeff I raised the pickup previously to a suitable height so that isnt the problem.

Im gonna go down to the store later and get some wire.
Is it true you can make a "temp" bypass by putting crocidile clip connectors on instead of soldiering?

If the clips are small enough then in theory yes it could be done

my old 1968 4001 was a wonderful bass ... but the damn pickups were weak ... the neck toaster and original horseshoe had a cool sound but by modern standards they didn't get the job done ... so I removed the pickups and carefully wrapped them in bubble wrap and tried other pickups ... first I tried the combination of an early 70's 4001 screw top high gain bridge pickup and a modern 4003 high gain in the neck position and of course I removed the cap ... this sounded good ... it had low end and it had balls ... then I tried a modern high gain in the bridge and the old toaster in the neck ... this was even better ... with the 4003 high gain in the bridge it really had balls and low end and it still had the Rickenbacker bite ... but my favorite combination of pickups was a pair of 4003 high gain pickups in that bass without the cap ...

gotta a set of s on my last 4003S/8, can't say I like 'em.

But to each his own...

I love the Barts.....I'm probably the only person on this forum that you will hear that from."

I think the Barts are great pickups also, much better than the Seymour Duncan replacements for Rick basses. I had Barts in a 4003 for a bit. It was a 4003 that I bought used with the Barts already installed. The original p/u's were also included. I eventually reinstalled the original pickups. The original RIC pickups had more bite and growl. The Barts were a bit more smooth and warm. I prefer the RIC pickups for my playing style and the rock music I play.

I have a Hi-A (original name for Bartolini pickups) "little beastie" in the treble position on one of my 4001's. It's a great sounding pickup. They don't make that model anymore... it's a mini humbucker. Has a very full sound, with good highs and lows.

If you just put in a new style 4003 PU, you will hear the difference. Assuming your cap is off, right?

Try a Ricky HB1 Humbucker in the neck position. Not only does it have balls but it is dead quiet.