Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

What is the main difference between these 2 Cheyennes? Are there pictures available of the Cheyenne?

Second from the left is a Cheyenne and the far right is a Cheyenne II......



The Cheyenne is maple neck/fretboard with solid walnut body wings and gold hardware.

The Cheyenne II is maple neck with bubinga fretboard, figured maple/walnut/maple sandwich body wings and gold hardware (I preferred the black hardware).

I had the Cheyenne for a short period of time. Loved the look & feel, but is sounded weak compared to the Cii.

It was pretty beat up but in retrospect, I'm now wondering if the same electronics were in both?

ajish4 wrote:I had the Cheyenne for a short period of time. Loved the look & feel, but is sounded weak compared to the Cii.

It was pretty beat up but in retrospect, I'm now wondering if the same electronics were in both?

Never owned an original Cheyenne, but I had tried John Allgaier's at MARF, definitely wasn't weak. Maybe something was up with the electronics in the one you had.

incubus2432 wrote:Second from the left is a Cheyenne and the far right is a Cheyenne II......



The Cheyenne is maple neck/fretboard with solid walnut body wings and gold hardware.

The Cheyenne II is maple neck with bubinga fretboard, figured maple/walnut/maple sandwich body wings and gold hardware (I preferred the black hardware).

Isn't the red one in the middle a Cii as well? Seems to have gold hardware, unless some Laredos have gold hardware as well.

Jack

jack1953 wrote:Isn't the red one in the middle a Cii as well? Seems to have gold hardware, unless some Laredos have gold hardware as well.

Jack

Yes, the 5 string version. The 4004Cii/5 which has been discontinued.

rickenbrother wrote:

jack1953 wrote:Isn't the red one in the middle a Cii as well? Seems to have gold hardware, unless some Laredos have gold hardware as well.

Jack

Yes, the 5 string version. The 4004Cii/5 which has been discontinued.

Brian,

From your post I see that you prefer the 4004s over the 4003s. For me, having only owned the 4003 since April, and the 4004 only a few weeks, I found the 4004s to be more appealing. I do agree that the 4003s are the ones that most people recognize as the 'classic' Rickenbacker bass. For me, I found that even though I loved the look of the pickup cover, I also found it kind of a pain to work around, being a novice and all. Also, the special features of the string deadening option and the tone change, through the control knob, were of no use to me. Finally the fact that the 4004s are lighter and more comfortable for me to play. Again, for me, the pros of the 4004s out weighed the pros of the 4003s and the traditional Rick sound that the 4003s give.

Jack

rickenbrother wrote: Never owned an original Cheyenne, but I had tried John Allgaier's at MARF, definitely wasn't weak. Maybe something was up with the electronics in the one you had.

I was wondering the same thing Joey...didn't keep it long. It was kind of nasal and thin sounding. It was in and out of here right quick so I honestly don't know, but wondering now. I wouldn't be surprised if so, as beat up as the body was.

I've played several Ciis, really want to try a Ci. I think a Ci might sound different enough from the way I set my 4003s up to justify spending the cash on one. Too bad they are extinct.

ajish4 wrote:

rickenbrother wrote: Never owned an original Cheyenne, but I had tried John Allgaier's at MARF, definitely wasn't weak. Maybe something was up with the electronics in the one you had.

I was wondering the same thing Joey...didn't keep it long. It was kind of nasal and thin sounding. It was in and out of here right quick so I honestly don't know, but wondering now. I wouldn't be surprised if so, as beat up as the body was.

Mine has the dual concentric mod which gives the tonal control of a 4001/3 and does open the sound a bit. There wasn't a big difference as far as weakness. I'm guessing yours had wiring changes, Tony.

johnallg wrote:

ajish4 wrote:

rickenbrother wrote: Never owned an original Cheyenne, but I had tried John Allgaier's at MARF, definitely wasn't weak. Maybe something was up with the electronics in the one you had.

I was wondering the same thing Joey...didn't keep it long. It was kind of nasal and thin sounding. It was in and out of here right quick so I honestly don't know, but wondering now. I wouldn't be surprised if so, as beat up as the body was.

Mine has the dual concentric mod which gives the tonal control of a 4001/3 and does open the sound a bit. There wasn't a big difference as far as weakness. I'm guessing yours had wiring changes, Tony.

LOL, OH GREAT...thanks John....NOW I want another one!

ajish4 wrote:
LOL, OH GREAT...thanks John....NOW I want another one!

One of the guitar players in my band just picked up a 650D, I'd like a first generation Cheyenne to match it.