A second chance for the 4004's/My new rig

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 10:42 am

As some of you know, i scored the 4004Cii that fellow forumite Greg Kernkamp was selling. It arrived the other day and so far i'm absolutley thrilled with it.

For one thing, the grain is beautiful on this one. It really changes depending on what angle you're watching it from (Kinda like the 330DCM I sold to buy it

) It has some beautiful tiger striping on the upper horn.

And the maple/walnut/maple sandwich just looks too cool!

I previously had a 4004C (Now sitting comfortably with John Allgaier in Michigan), and sold it rather quickly. I'm really superficial when it comes to guitars, and because the look of the bass didn't thrill me, I didn't give it a chance. This time, i've got a beautiful Mapleglo Rick with pretty (but not too pretty!) wood grain, and that old familiar glass-like conversion varnish finish that we all know and love.

The first thing I did was something I had never even bothered to try with my first 4004 - I put on a set of Chromes (Greg, what kind of rounds did you have on here?). Suddenly, the wide P-bass style neck felt a little more "at home" to me. The next step for me was going to be a set of toasters, if I decided the HB-1's weren't for me.

This week marked a bit of a turning point for me - I finally got a new bass amp (An Ampeg B200R, courtesy of Scott Doseck) after using the same crummy Peavey amp for years. Coupled with my new 4004cii, last night's gig featured my entirely new rig. I was a little bit nervous going in - both the bass and the amp were completely untested by me in a band situation. I had only done some playing at low levels in my house.

My fears were quickly put to rest during the first set. As I navigated through the nuances of the HB-1's, the mini-switch, and the simple vol/tone, I was finding nothing but incredible tone. Punchy, fat, and huge sounding. It didn't matter what song we were playing - "Runaround Sue" or "Flagpole Sitta" - with a flick of the pickup switch or some tone roll-off, I had the perfect tone for every song.

Plus, I only had the Ampeg on 5 and I was "too loud" - whereas before, my Peavey would be completely dimed and still not be able to keep up!

From people in the know, I got nothing but compliments last night on not only my bass and my tone, but my playing as well! I noticed it too - it was as if my tone had inspired me so much, that I was just stretching out on every song, playing complicated lines that i would have never bothered to before.

No doubt about it - this 4004 and this Ampeg are here to stay!

edski · Post by **edski** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 10:45 am

Thank God you like that bass!

I was fearing for it's safety with Brian Crisman lusting it!!!!

Seriously, I find that switching PU's gives the 4004 more than enough tonal variation. While dual concentrics are an interesting thought, I just don't find a pressing need to make any changes.

Glad to hear the gig went well.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 10:51 am

I do like the idea of dual concentrics - I use my tone control(s) constantly, so it'd be nice to be able to set it for each pickup, like I do on my 4003 and 4005.

jps · Post by **jps** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 11:03 am

Looks like you have a great 'piece of kit' there as the Brits would say!

One of the things I like about individual volume controls for pickups is having the neck pickup rolled back just enough to bring out more lower midrange to really make the bass punch through. Of course, this depends on the music you are playing.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 11:08 am

Congrats, John. I'm glad you like this one. I think the Cii basses are great ones, the best kept secret in the bass guitar community.

sowhat · Post by **sowhat** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 11:16 am

~~Damn!~~ Looks cool, congrats!

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 11:26 am

Glad you like the amp John. I hadnt heard you comment on it, and was getting a little worried.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 11:33 am

I really had to wait until I had gigged with it to pass judgement, Scott - that's the only true test for me. Not only did it sound great, but it's on wheels, smaller, lighter, and louder than my old amp!

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 11:48 am

John, does the fingerboard have the finish on it?

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 11:53 am

Yes Joey, there is CV on the fingerboard. Is there any rhyme or reason to the 4004 fingerboards? I have seen about half finished, half unfinished.

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 11:54 am

I always say that a great stage sound is one of the best ways to just concentrate on playing well rather than being distracted by tone or volume concerns.
It also inspires better performances from the other band members.
It's great to see that you got a killer combination happening. There's no feeling like it.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 12:31 pm

Ampeg and Rickenbacker ... a match made in heaven ...

86kubicki · Post by **86kubicki** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 12:51 pm

Lighter than a Peavey??? I'm shocked!
Glad that you enjoyed the Cii John - sounds like a keeper!

kernkamp · Post by **kernkamp** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 1:08 pm

Great review John. I am thrilled you like it so much. Your pictures are great. The strings as far as I know were Rick strings. At least that's what Gary told me when I got it from him.

Sounds like you got a cool amp with it too. Glad it worked out so well for ya. Nice to keep it around this forum too.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 1:14 pm

Is there any rhyme or reason to the 4004 fingerboards? I have seen about half finished, half unfinished.

It would cool to have one with and one without the CV finish.