Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I have been thinking of letting my 2007 4003 go (which you can hear on my Myspace on the first two and very last track: http://www.myspace.com/joshuachandlerplaysbass ), because my 2009 is "just as good" and it has the aesthetic I prefer. But yesterday my astute wife pointed something out:

"I like the 2007's tone better. It is cleaner and crisper--it shines and sings."

I wanted to make sure I understood, so I said, "So compared to the 2007, the 2009 is what?"

"Fatter. Not a lot, just a tiny bit, but I notice it."

"Muddier maybe?"

"Yes! That's it."

Ah, okay. The 2009, having a thicker neck, has more mids in its sound--something I really appreciate in a full-band setting, because it cuts through like a knife. On the other hand, for soloed passages or for those who just turn up really loud, the 2007 has a very clear tone that is a bit scooped by comparison. I have a live version of "Hat Trick" (not on the Myspace) that is a perfect example of this.

I guess my question is, with this difference in mind, is it worth keeping both, or is a minute difference like that not really worth considering--are they still functionally identical?

I would consider swapping all of the electronics, pickups and wiring harness, and see if the tone stays with the guitar or moves to the other one.

Remember though that I personally like both tones a lot. The mids are actually a plus for me, the 2009 gets a lot of mileage at this time. Plus, I believe that pickups are a last, very minor step on the way to a guitar's sound... They are more likely to do harm than good, I'll put it that way.

cassius987 wrote: I guess my question is, with this difference in mind, is it worth keeping both, or is a minute difference like that not really worth considering--are they still functionally identical?

Keep them both, I doubt you'll ever regret having too many Rickenbackers.

Yeah, but I want to make room for an EBMM Bongo 5er. If Ric made a 5er (besides the 4003S/5, I want a wider spacing) I would shoot for that or at least look into it, but sadly there ain't no sech.

If the 4004Cii/5 were more common I'd buy one of those and slap some wider pickups in, too.

I don't know, I also feel like I'd regret selling either 4003.

Well I would vote for keeping both...why sell if you don't have to, that's my motto.

Ken

Yeah, keep 'em both and if you want a Bongo 5 'er, get that too. I agree with never selling unless you absolutely have to. I had to do that a while back and I still regret it. In fact I still look at every '74 Mapleglo 4001 on ebay, etc. just in case it's my old one. If I ever see it, I'll buy it back. You won't ever regret keeping what you've got, but you'll likely regret selling one...

Room is the problem?? You can always make some more room when you want to, believe me. Don't sell it, specially if they both sound (even though slightly) different.

Cheers!

PS: Nice music Joshua! I'll send you a request from my band's myspace...

cassius987 wrote:Yeah, but I want to make room for an EBMM Bongo 5er. If Ric made a 5er (besides the 4003S/5, I want a wider spacing) I would shoot for that or at least look into it, but sadly there ain't no sech.

If the 4004Cii/5 were more common I'd buy one of those and slap some wider pickups in, too.

Believe me, I was a bit put off from the 4003S/5 at first. For a long time, even playing it daily, I had difficulty adjusting to it.

Now, I'm of the opinion that I enjoy the spacing quite a lot. It took quite a bit of adjustment on my end with my fingerstyle especially but overall, I can't think of having another 5er that isn't like this.

Let me reiterate this a different way. At first, I hated the way the spacing was. But because it was my first Ric since the early 90s, I kept after it. I wasn't giving it up.

And I'm seriously glad I stuck with it. I love it. I still play it daily.

And, I envy you a bit. You have an FL 400x series. If there were 4004Cii/5 FLs about I'd be tempted to sell my soul for one. I'd even be happy with a 4003S/5 FL.

I'm convinced that if I come across a beat up 4003S that I will not only 4-2-5 it but also FL it so I can modify it the way I want without "destroying" a perfectly good bass.

I say keep them both.