Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

i've got my eye on a 4000.

can anyone with experience w/ both the 4000 and 4001 models offer a qualitative comparison between the 'sound' of the two models?

thanks

The 4001 is more 'hi-fi', more balanced. The 4000 is raw, aggressive, cuts through a muddy mix like a chainsaw.
You can get mellow tones from a 4000, but you have to play closer to the neck & use less attack.
Playing a 4001 with just the bridge pup on gets you close, but a 4000 seems to have even more edge, though lacks a little low end, due to the pickup placement (easily overcome with amp eq).

Being a set neck (most of them, anyway) some might say there's possibly less sustain, but I find mine has tons of sustain. It also has never needed ANY neck adjustment, & plays beautifully.

As a matter of fact, I play my 4001 more often because if I play the 4000 a lot, my left hand gets 'lazy' & needs more of a workout.

If you buy one & don't like it, you'll be able to sell it here easily. There always seems to be someone looking for a 4000.

At the risk of sounding trite, unless you are talking about a very early 4000, it should sound pretty much like a 4001 with the selector switch down. The wood, pickups, bridge, nut, and overall geometry are the same so the sound will follow. Of course, the 70's version has a set neck which does alter the tone but not radically.

As far as growl & mids are concerned, I think the 4000 has less mid overtones, & more of a treble growl, rather than the lower 'grunt' of a 4001.

Different beasts altogether.

This is, of course, based on the sound of my own 4000 & 4001, which BTW, differ in weight significantly (the 4001 being WAY heavier), not merely due to the extra hardware onboard, but due also to the particular pieces of wood involved in these two.

I don't pretend to speak for other examples, but anyone could easily distinguish between my 4001 treble pup & my 4000.

Here's a quick wmv I slapped up on MySpace.
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=2013102513

Recorded through my Fostex 4-track as an input device into my Soundblaster card, recorded with Audacity, no effects, all bass controls set at maximum, stock RIC pickups.

Even a glance at the waveform shows quite a difference in the two signals.

Was the 4000 the first one? That bass sounded a little more "meaty".

Also, is the 4001 capped?

all very helpful replies (especially that video Kevin).

thanks.

unfortunately, the seller won't ship to Canada...

The 4000 was first, and the cap has been long removed from the 4001.

Both basses have the action as low as I can get it with just the beginnings of fret buzz.
The difference in harmonics are more evident with higher action, & amplified to a decent volume.

I should add that the strings on the 4000 are rather old Fender stainless rounds, & the 4001 has fairly new D'Addario nickel rounds.

The D'Addario's are good strings, BTW, nice & snappy! I like 'em almost as much as RIC strings (which I have on my 4080).
Not so fond of the Fenders, & they lose their edge faster than the RIC & D'Addario's.

You have a lot of US friends Bryce.

thanks Ted! would that me someone (nudge) would be willing to send it up here for me?

i'd be extremely appreciative. of course, i have to try to win the auction first.

the 4001 has twice as many pickups and twice as many knobs ...

I have had several 4000's, set neck and neck through. They are in deed a completly different animal. It is the ric mans Pee bass. The 4001/3 is a much more versital beast. Not to say the 4K is a one trick pony, but it generally is a bass you rarly mess with. Turn it on full and go. At least IMHE.
Now a single pickup 4004....... thats what Im talkin about LOL.

Sure Bryce. I am willing to help you out. If the seller will agree to let you bid but ship the bass to me, I would be happy to relay it to Canada for you.

thank you very much Ted. the buyer is okay w/ my bidding. i'd love to have this white '76 4000 join my white '75 4000