Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I just recently bought my first 4001 on ebay and when got it, it turns out, the mute is completely gone. Is there a way of purchasing a new one? I really love this bass and the mute was one spec I really like about the 4001/3s. Its from 1978 if that is important. Thanks

Hm.... the whole mute, or just the foam pad? You can definitely get the foam pad from RIC's web boutique.

http://www.rickenbacker.com/cart.asp?vi ... cellaneous

its just the foam pad. Thank you so much I couldn't find it anywhere

brutoph wrote:its just the foam pad. Thank you so much I couldn't find it anywhere

Here's a tip that I wish I knew a few years ago: The rectangular pad pictured in the above link is actually the residual material from the pickup mounting pads:

http://www.rickenbacker.com/cart.asp?vi ... cellaneous

The sides of the pickup mounting pads have the same width as the 70's mute pads. The current mute pad is more than twice as wide as the 70's mute pad. I prefer to use the side of the pickup mounting pad (thanks, Dane!) and cut the length to fit under the "comb" in the mute cavity.

Unsolder and remove the mute bar. Scrape off the old mute with a razor and then finish cleaning it off with steel wool. Re-solder the ground wire to the mute bar and then wipe clean with rubbing alcohol. Position the mute pad under the comb. Make sure it doesn't extend into the area where the spring contacts the tail piece. If it does, the mute will be very difficult to fully raise. Tape it in place to the tail piece using blue removable masking tape. The farther rearward you can position it the better (for tuning/intonation). Remove the white adhesive backing. Insert screws and fully raise the mute bar into the pad. Remove the blue tape, back off and remove the newly joined mute/mute bar and squeeze the mute pad against the mute bar to fully bond them.

Re-assemble and rock out!

You may find that a lighter duty spring makes it easier to raise and lower the mute.

I have to ask.

Has anyone ever actually used the mute ?

I used mine... once... for about 30 seconds...

gareth wrote:I have to ask.

Has anyone ever actually used the mute ?

I like to get mine to work because they are there. Things that don't work bug me...And then I fix them. It's just how I am!

So I have used mine, but not at a gig ever (yet).

Makes me wonder if Carol Kaye ever tried a Rickenbacker bass.
She stuffed couch foam under her strings right in front of the bridge for a mute.

gareth wrote:Has anyone ever actually used the mute ?

Joking right?? Yes, it's quite handy. Mainly I use it when recording, less often live. But I've never used it with my "rock" stuff so if that's your thing then I can see why you might avoid the mute. I've used it in blues, jazz, and pop stuff at least a handful of times--again, really only in the studio or cutting a demo, rather than live.

gareth wrote:I have to ask.

Has anyone ever actually used the mute ?

I use the mute occasionally. Just used it recently on a recording with my 4001FL.

you almost have to use the mute thingy,it's right in the place where you otherwise should be able to palm mute.....but no,i think its a bit of a novelty and did not use it when the rick bridge was still on my bass.

woodyng wrote:you almost have to use the mute thingy,it's right in the place where you otherwise should be able to palm mute.....but no,i think its a bit of a novelty and did not use it when the rick bridge was still on my bass.

And you must play with a pick! Being a finger style player, there is no palm muting for me. I mean I could...but it's really awkward.

gareth wrote:I have to ask.

Has anyone ever actually used the mute ?

Doesn't Jeff Rath use his all the time?

jps wrote:

gareth wrote:I have to ask.

Has anyone ever actually used the mute ?

Doesn't Jeff Rath use his all the time?

You mean his mute with the coil of wire and the magnets???