Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Anyone got any links to soundclips/videos comparing an original 4004 Cheyenne to a 4001/4003? As it appears to be a really light Rick - my '73 restoration is giving my back fits - and I prefer the original design I'm intrigued to know how they sound compared to a more standard Rick.

Of course if anyone knows where I can get another really light pre-skunker like my no more than 8.5lb '72 that would take precedence.

henry5 wrote:Anyone got any links to soundclips/videos comparing an original 4004 Cheyenne to a 4001/4003? As it appears to be a really light Rick - my '73 restoration is giving my back fits - and I prefer the original design I'm intrigued to know how they sound compared to a more standard Rick.

Of course if anyone knows where I can get another really light pre-skunker like my no more than 8.5lb '72 that would take precedence.

I don't have sound samples nor a way to record them, but I can say the 4004C has the Rick sound, but darker and deeper. Some is due to the walnut body wings and some to the HB1 pickups. You still get the growl.

Oh, and they are noticeably lighter. When I received mine and first opened the case and lifted it, I over lifted expecting it to be heavier.

John, thanks for the post. It all sounds good so far! I've seen a couple available but wouldn't get to try before I buy and I can be a bit fussy (oh how our guitarist would laugh at that understatement! ) with my Rick sounds.

Shaun, I know you will love the 4004 tone, but the neck profile may take some getting used to. My '08 4003 has a very thin & flat-backed "D" shape, while my '09 4004Cii has a much thicker, slightly wider "C" shape. I have 8 different basses, all with very different necks, so its no big deal for me, but some players are picky about necks. I personally feel that a chunkier neck contributes to better tone and sustain, and my 4004 is one of my most comfortable basses to play for 4 sets a night.

Hi Richard

I did get to briefly have a noodle on an original Laredo once; the neck was wide but it seemed comfortable enough IIRC. The '98 V63 I had had a big neck and that didn't really bother me, although I do prefer a slimmer neck in a perfect world.

Crudely recorded with my Canon camera, but here's my '08 Laredo strung with DR Highbeams.

http://s234.photobucket.com/albums/ee15 ... I_3614.flv

Well that sounds pretty darned good, thanks! How much more mellow is an original Cheyenne likely to be, if any?

Shaun, I'd say a little bit more darker/deeper. Laredos are all maple bodies, whereas the Cheyenne is all walnut body, and the Cheyenne II is the maple/walnut/maple sandwich.