Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hey guys, what's a good setting for the control knobs to get a good clean balanced sound with even treble and bass? Also the Treble Tone knob pulls out and gives a different sound. Could someone explain what that is?
Thanks,
Jack

When you pull the treble knob out, it engages the .0047 capacitor, giving your 4003 the vintage 4001 type of tone. That capacitor takes much of the low end away from the treble pickup. Using the control knobs is very subjective. I usually keep them all full on.

I usually keep the controls on the bass full-out and adjust the amp's EQ. If I need less volume or a more muffles tone on the fly, obviously I'll use the knobs on the bass. Usually bridge pickup for me.

The 4001 basses had a capacitor on the bridge pickup that filtered out bass frequencies. This was eliminates on the 4003. The push/pull engages that capacitor - instant 4001! Sort of.

I used to be a full-out setting guy also, but lately I have turned them all up full and then I back off on the Bass volume about 5-10%. Try it - play a note with all up full and roll back that bass pickup volume just a bit until you hear the tone change. That's the sweet spot for me. On a 4003, I'll usually engage the 0.047 cap and slightly boost the low and high mids on my amp's active EQ.

FretlessOnly wrote:I used to be a full-out setting guy also, but lately I have turned them all up full and then I back off on the Bass volume about 5-10%. Try it - play a note with all up full and roll back that bass pickup volume just a bit until you hear the tone change. That's the sweet spot for me. On a 4003, I'll usually engage the 0.047 cap and slightly boost the low and high mids on my amp's active EQ.

I'll give that a try John. Thanks.

By the way, what kind of weird screwdriver will it take to fit into that small space to intone if need be?

jack1953 wrote:

FretlessOnly wrote:I used to be a full-out setting guy also, but lately I have turned them all up full and then I back off on the Bass volume about 5-10%. Try it - play a note with all up full and roll back that bass pickup volume just a bit until you hear the tone change. That's the sweet spot for me. On a 4003, I'll usually engage the 0.047 cap and slightly boost the low and high mids on my amp's active EQ.

I'll give that a try John. Thanks.

By the way, what kind of weird screwdriver will it take to fit into that small space to intone if need be?

http://www.joeysbassnotes.com/Rick%20maint.htm

johnallg wrote:

jack1953 wrote:

FretlessOnly wrote:I used to be a full-out setting guy also, but lately I have turned them all up full and then I back off on the Bass volume about 5-10%. Try it - play a note with all up full and roll back that bass pickup volume just a bit until you hear the tone change. That's the sweet spot for me. On a 4003, I'll usually engage the 0.047 cap and slightly boost the low and high mids on my amp's active EQ.

I'll give that a try John. Thanks.

By the way, what kind of weird screwdriver will it take to fit into that small space to intone if need be?

http://www.joeysbassnotes.com/Rick%20maint.htm

Thanks John. I guess I need to pick up a screwdriver like you are using in the picture.
Jack

jack1953 wrote:

johnallg wrote:http://www.joeysbassnotes.com/Rick%20maint.htm

Thanks John. I guess I need to pick up a screwdriver like you are using in the picture.
Jack

Thanks but that site is the hard work of our ModFather Joey Vasco. I was just passing the link to you.

jack1953 wrote:By the way, what kind of weird screwdriver will it take to fit into that small space to intone if need be?

Here's another option for adjusting intonation: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Upgrade-kit-Ricke ... 2559e8c508

I bought one of these packs as I needed new bridge height adjustment screws for my '75 4001, but I've also installed the intonation adjustment screws and I can now easily adjust with the hex key without having to tilt or remove the bridge like before. Fortunately my bridge isn't set too low to get access to the screws.