Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

This subject have probably been discussed on numerous occasions earlier but my name is Rudi, almost the same as rude, so I start a brand new thread.

I have a '73 Rickenbacker 4001 with toaster that I bought because I love (the looks) the sound Paul McCartney got out of that bass with the Beatles. It haven't been used though and I have only played with it live once when the E-string of my P-Bass snapped. It have been third or fourth after my P-Basses.

Now I want to get a bit closer to that sound of McCartney and my problem is that it is way too bright. I have strung it with D'Addario Chromes which I find a bit bright but then again maybe they haven't been played in properly yet. Haven't had a problem to get that 60s sound with my Fender basses. Is the strings the clue?

Have played through an old Ampeg SVT and a '63 Showman Amp but the sound isn't there...

Any clues to an amateur Rickenbacker wise?

Thanks.

Rudi - try Thomastik Infield flats. They are not as bright as the Chromes and have a wonderful full sound.

I agree

Hey Rudi, we haven't heard from you in a long time, welcome back!

I agree with Steve about the Thomastik Infield flats.

rickenbrother wrote:Hey Rudi, we haven't heard from you in a long time, welcome back!

I agree with Steve about the Thomastik Infield flats.

Thanks Joey!

Was without a Rickenbacker for a while and haven't used the one I bought yet.

The TI flats are pretty low tension right? Which gauge is there to choose from?

What about that famous cap mod on 4001s? Should I consider that?

Rudi, you 'll want the JF344 long scale set and yes, they are low tension.

The cap mod is a personal choice. If you'd like a little more low end and volume from your bass, do the cap mod. Carefully wrap the exposed ends of a piece of insulted wire around both ends of the .0047 cap. It's easily reversible that way, if you decide you prefer the tone with the cap.

I will try out those TI flats. Thanks!

Anyone know which strings he actually used? More specific than long shiny ones.

rudi_remme wrote:I will try out those TI flats. Thanks!

Anyone know which strings he actually used? More specific than long shiny ones.

I hope that was meant as a joke. I know it cracked ME up!

dog wrote:

rudi_remme wrote:I will try out those TI flats. Thanks!

Anyone know which strings he actually used? More specific than long shiny ones.

I hope that was meant as a joke. I know it cracked ME up!

Which part is cracking you up? Either way I'm a joke...

86kubicki wrote:Rudi - try Thomastik Infield flats.

rickenbrother wrote:I agree with Steve about the Thomastik Infield flats.

Thomastik doesn't have an infield...they don't play baseball in Austria. I think Rudi is looking for Thomastik Infeld flats.

(Sorry, don't mean to come across as a wise a**, but whenever I see that mistake, it just rubs me.)

Ric O'Sound wrote:...they don't play baseball in Austria.

Well, now, Daniel, I beg to differ ... Thomastik may indeed have an infield.




But Doesn't Paul use only the neck pickup ever for his Hofner sound? I saw that he had the controls frozen on his '64 for one setting only, minus the treble pickup I'm guessing?.

Paul plays great I think thats most of his sound

dog wrote:

rudi_remme wrote:I will try out those TI flats. Thanks!

Anyone know which strings he actually used? More specific than long shiny ones.

I hope that was meant as a joke. I know it cracked ME up!

Musician Magazine has an issue in the early '80's where they profiled several bassists in one article. Macca was one of the bassists profiled and one of the questions was, "What kind one strings do you use?"
His answer was, "I honestly don't know, they come out of a little paper bag."

rickenbrother wrote: Carefully wrap the exposed ends of a piece of insulted wire around both ends of the .0047 cap.

How do we insult the wire?

jon wrote:

rickenbrother wrote: Carefully wrap the exposed ends of a piece of insulted wire around both ends of the .0047 cap.

How do we insult the wire?

Okay, so I typoed! Insulated, is what I meant!