Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I had to do some maintenance work on my 4003 bass electronics and now I immediately found that when using the two pickups I lose more volume than before and the Tone is really boomy, with no punch or clarity. When playing the treble pickup, it sounds perfect like it always did but when playing the Bass with the pickup selector in the middle position, I simply do not recognize my Bass anymore !!!!

Help me cause I am sure it is a minor issue, possibly a wire that is not in proper place, etc.

Let me know anyway your thoughts !

check pickup heights ... I like the pickups close to the strings ... but still far enough that the strings don't hit ...

for me the best 4003 tone is all controls at 10 except for the neck volume which I run at 7-9 range ...

Did you unsoldier any wires? If not you probably as Jeff intimated have your treble pickup too low which changes the mix, I also like my pickups close to the strings. I also like the bass vol. on 7 or 8 and treble vol. on 10.
Another possiblity is that a wire fell off somewhere and only your bass pickup is working in the middle position, tap on both pickups with something metal like steel, a screwriver etc. you should hear clicking from both pickups if they are both working, also turn your treble vol. down to 0 that is another way to check it. This is a long shot however it's probably just the treble pickup too low.

Post a clear photo of your control circuit.

Bob,

Both pickups are working and I have not changed the height of the treble pickup also. The neck pickup, when played solo is really boomy with a lack of volume. It sounds different than before. I know the neck pickup has less volume output in normal situation but I know my Bass enough to immediately recognize the change in Tone. I think the problem comes from the wiring inside. I will have to go through or have it checked by a Tech. I am certain it`s nothing major.

Guys,

I got everything working perfectly now. She is rockin` !!!! I just had a bad wiring connection, that was it, just as I expected. Anyway, this thread might help others with similar issues in the future !!!

when you got a setup they may have changed the truss rods and the bridge height ... this will change the distance of the strings to the pickups ... therefore you probably need to adjust both pickup heights ... a simple philips screw driver will do ...

Glad you found it Stephane, problems like that can be tricky sometimes.