Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

THERE IS NO MISTAKE! The electronics of all my basses work like I always described: In the middle position of the PU switch either tone pot(Bass or Treble)is effective on both PUs simultaneously and hence the total tone sound. The influence initially is most strong on the individual PU of the used tone pot, but if you close one of them totally ALL TREBLE IS GONE!!!
And it is clear that it should be that way when you read the original RIC schematic drawing, as the tone pots close down to mass (grounding), which is the same for all pots!

THAT MUST BE A REGULAR FEATURE OF THE 4001 CIRCUIT!!! Does anybody check with his bass??? Please!!!

Nope. Something's wired incorrectly on your bass.

Seems like not an unusual thing with Rics. I just had my pick up outputs readjusted by my luthier on my 4003 TUR. Sounds great now, but it did need some tweaking. Not a big deal for someone who knows what he is doing.

Peter, the same thing is happening with my "Mink" '72. But, I don't know if it is typical, as mine has been worked on by at least three techies since I brought it out from under the guest bed for my musical rebirth in 2002. This "problem" is not evident on my '04 Monte 4003. I haven't tried the others.

But, you are not alone!

I plead non-involvment...with the wiring, at least...

I assume: To separate the action of the tone pots they need a ground separation. The grounding of the two tone pots was separated by the 0.0047cap in the old 4001. But what is the trick in the new 4003?

Just a piece of wire.

...that would not lead to separate groundings!?

I have noticed that too Peter. The settings from one pickup do affect the other. The 4002 does not do that and that is why I am so interested in how the 4002 circuit works. The caps between the tone pots and ground could be the reasons.

Looking at the schematic and given the following: A mono bass or stereo bass plugged in to the mono jack, Both volumes at full, and does not have the 0.0047 cap installed, there is nothing to stop the tone controls from effecting either pickup. If you turn the volumes partially down on one or both pickups the tone controls should effect their respective pick up but I still think that you could get some cross talk. If you plug the bass into the stereo output. and into two different channels of an amp or two different amps there should be no crosstalk what-so-ever.

Thank you Ted, finally somebody believes me!!!
So chaps, now we just need some confirmation from the boss of RIC Co., Mr. John Hall. That would end the discussion for ever and all future forumites will have a useful hint in case they find the same problem.

Yes bring the big boss in, and let him tell us the truth LOL. I didn't try it with the volume 3/4 open, I will try that tomorrow, but I guess you're right about that. Rick's have strange schematics compared to say ehhhhh F*nd#r or so.

I tried this the other night on my 650. Note the 650 uses the same schematic as the mono 4000 series basses with four controls. I did an A-B test with both pickups selected. (A) both volumes at full, front tone pot at full, and the rear at minimum, the guitar had the same exact tone as (B) both volumes at full, front tone pot at minimum, and the rear at full. By turning one pickup's volume down then only the tone control for the other pickup was functional. I fell this makes sense looking at the schematic.

Rick's have strange schematics compared to say ehhhhh F*nd#r or so.

That's funny- I thought THEY have funny schematics.

Personally, I make it a firm and non-discriminatory policy to laugh at both Rickenbacker schematics AND Funder schematics equally, as well as Gypson schematics and Paul Reid Smith schematics

I do love the sound and playing feel of Rickenbackers infinitely more than either Funder or Gypson, though

However, I must confess that Alembic Series II Active electronics schematics receive unvarnished idol worship......