Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi all

I've been following this forum for some time, but this is my first post. I need some help with a decision and I thought some of you here would give me opinions/advice.

I have a '73 Rick 4000 that I still love and used pretty extensively in the 80's (yeah, I'm old!!). It's been closeted for the past 20 years or so, and only played in the house, because it was starting to show it's age and I wanted to preserve it. This bass growls, grunts and breathes fire. It is the hottest sounding Rick I have ever had (I've had 3 others at various times - a 4001 and two 4003's). The output of that one pickup is incredibly higher than my other Ricks. It was intended to be a backup but it always found its way to the top of the depth chart, and it's the only Rick (bass) I still own.

I'm bringing it in to have the neck adjusted and some other minor work (a bridge height screw is stripped, one of the mute screws was lost - little stuff like that), but I suddenly started thinking that maybe while it's in the shop I would have a toaster pickup put in the neck position. I know it will affect the value of the bass, but they are not crazy expensive as it is, and I'm thinking of passing it on to my son - it's a keeper. It has a beautiful fireglo finish so if that work was done it would look very much like McCartney's bass before all the paint and sanding (except, of course, it has a set neck).

My concern is if they start messing with the wiring I'll lose that beautiful sound that it has now. Is there any chance that could happen? Does anyone have any opinons on if I should have this work done, and if so, why (or why not).

Thanks very much in advance.

Welcome to the forum. Just my humble opinion, but other than replacing stripped screws and having this 4000 setup well, I'd leave alone if it this was my only Rickenbacker bass guitar and I wanted the option of two pickups, I'd buy a two pickup model.

I would strongly recommend to keep it as it is (Pic are welcome)! The 4000 sound is still unmatched and not worth to "downgrade" it to a 4001/4003.

Gah! No!

I'd keep it as it is. Adding another pu (even though toasters sound great) and the new wiring harness will change how it sounds.

Welcome ex-lurker!

First question-is the bass already routed for the neck pickup. If so,then adding it is a reversable mod,so why not? The main reason the 4000's one pickup is always cited as sounding so great is it is not "saddled" with the capacitor on the 2 pcikup models.
Since this is a set neck,if it is NOT already routed,then i would say definitely do not add the pickup.

And the nice thing is you have a more unique sound when you get your amp settings adjusted for the one pickup.

woodyng wrote: Since this is a set neck,if it is NOT already routed,then i would say definitely do not add the pickup.

And the nice thing is you have a more unique sound when you get your amp settings adjusted for the one pickup.

+1. Love my battered '74 4000 as is. I have even toyed with converting my V63 to 4000 specs. There is something about the purity and simplicity of a single-pickup configuration that I find appealing.

heinpete wrote:I would strongly recommend to keep it as it is (Pic are welcome)! The 4000 sound is still unmatched and not worth to "downgrade" it to a 4001/4003.

Here's a close up

heinpete wrote:I would strongly recommend to keep it as it is (Pic are welcome)! The 4000 sound is still unmatched and not worth to "downgrade" it to a 4001/4003.

And the headstock.

woodyng wrote:First question-is the bass already routed for the neck pickup. If so,then adding it is a reversable mod,so why not? The main reason the 4000's one pickup is always cited as sounding so great is it is not "saddled" with the capacitor on the 2 pcikup models.
Since this is a set neck,if it is NOT already routed,then i would say definitely do not add the pickup.

And the nice thing is you have a more unique sound when you get your amp settings adjusted for the one pickup.

I just took a peek under the pickguard and, as I expected it is not routed under there. So I guess that settles that. It's pretty interesting that most everyone here recommends to not add the pickup, but I figured I'd get some good advice on this board.

Maybe there's another 4003 in my future!!


Thanks to all for your input. Great community btw!!

Early '73 as it has a cast aluminum tailpiece, and the pickup surround is like the one on my March '73 4001 with the sharp corners.

Really fabulous 4000... now I've seen the pics I'm green with envy... how shameful!

To preserve its mojo, please leave it be. If you want a neck pickup, save up for a 4001 or 4003 instead.

There are some fundamental wiring differences between the models, including no .0047 cap to the pickup, which there is on the 4001. This is one aspect that is giving the bass the kick in the pants it delivers.

Please enjoy it as it is as the venerable #1.

Agreed,that's a nice one! Love the color,too!

Wow, that is a beauty. Please don't mod it!