Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

To All,

I'm sure this has been asked before....

What years was the capacitor put on the bridge pickup. Was it all the 4001's

Cheers, Mike

Yes, all 4001's had it. The 4003 also had it until the mid-80's when Rickenbacker realized that amp technology had improved to the point where it was doing nothing but making their basses sound bad.

Unless you're playing through an antique amplifier, I highly recommend bypassing it.

rickaddict wrote:Yes, all 4001's had it. The 4003 also had it until the mid-80's when Rickenbacker realized that amp technology had improved to the point where it was doing nothing but making their basses sound bad.

Unless you're playing through an antique amplifier, I highly recommend bypassing it.

+1

Out of curiosity I put the capacitor back in my 1975 4001 a few months ago and although I quite liked the sound I really missed the deep thump and the option of using the bridge pickup on its own occasionally (or blending both pickups with more emphasis on the bridge without losing bottom end) so I ended up bypassing it again. This is the way it will stay now. Each to their own though.

I had John Allgaier put a push/pull pot in the 4001S conversion. Maybe it's the year and style of the pu, but it really doesn't add very much thump with the cap disengaged. 95% of the thump comes from the toaster on this one.
Sergio said that would be the case before hand, too.
Don't get me wrong though. It sounds great, and slightly different, in either case.

In most cases the four words "Get Rid Of It" are most apt...

wints wrote:In most cases the four words "Get Rid Of It" are most apt...

Indeed. Most of my Rickenbacker cases (4) don't have it. But I absolutely love it in my 4001c64! It is a 2 trick pony with the cap though. The Horseshoe solo sounds like s??t with it.

The horse shoe on my C64S (now un-capped) just HONKS! Its a really nice sounding bass now. I mean, to each his own...people have different playing styles and pickup preferences, but for me there is no question that that damn cap had smothered my tone for 20 years.

Playing with the cap in was like trying to breathe with a bag over my head. Once the bag came off...WOW!

I'm glad you took it off...I was going to mention you looked a bit blue last time I saw you...

BWAAA HA HA! (Milk exits nostrils)

I like it!

Let that bass breathe, man!

Getting rid of the cap? Might as well dump my 21 fretter and get me a P-Bass instead hahahahaha!

Let me know when you do, Sergio! I have a good home for her!

rickcrazy wrote:Getting rid of the cap? Might as well dump my 21 fretter and get me a P-Bass instead hahahahaha!

I love p-basses and hate the cap ...