Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hey everybody, I'm new to this forum even though I've been into Rics for years. I have a question regarding a topic that has most likely been covered here before. I am rebuilding a poorly neglected '77 4001 with stock hi-gains. I have noticed that some people prefer the bypass cap to the lead pu removed which I would think thickens the sound. Ric schematics show this cap as on some models and not others. I was thinking about a push/pull pot so as to add versatility and not modify the stock guard. What's the difference in sound, is it worth the effort? I have plenty of Fenders already and will use this bass for traditional Ric tones.

Hey Wes, well this topic tends to lead to divided opinions , but basically i would remove the cap as it basically cuts ALL the bass and mid from the treble pickup. with the cap removed the pickup acheives its full potential and is much more powerful than the neck pickup.

In my opinion the cap makes the bass too thin sounding, especially on the old basses as they have weaker pickups anyway.

Are you rebuilding it with new pickups? they are far stronger than the old 70's ones

Thanks Owen. The p/ups are stock '77. I have been wanting a Ric for years since I sold my '68 4001 for $250 to pay tuition back in the day. This "was" a white one w/black trim the I got off ebay the other day. I tend to check it every day but sadly watch the prices climb out of reach. Then one morning I logged on and there was a new listing BIN including shipping and a new silver reissue case for $600, I clicked, I owned. White is my least favorite color, but I don't fear ruining the collector value of something pedestrian like a '77 4001 in rough shape. So off came the hardware and finish. I am very pleased because the wood and fretboard are in excellent shape. Someone back in the past filled the mute route with a mahgony inlay that seems stable, so it will stay to support the Badass. I plan to refinish it in a pastel mint green (not sea foam) with black hardware. I own my instruments to make me happy, and the world is full of black and white Rics, so I hope no one is fainting. I will post pics along the way. I look at it as breathing life into a new friend.

hey, if you can refinish guitars well, whatever!

I got a black 73 off ebay, its very worn but i like it.