Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Ok, so this will probably aggravate the die- hard faithful, but I never liked two volume controls on my 4001. In practice, it always seemed like a change in volume equaled a change in tone. When I finally get a 4003, I'll seriously consider rewiring it for a master volume, master bass and treble, and pickup blend pot. That would leave the pickup selector a dummy unless I can think of a use for it. Is there any reason that wouldn't work on a 4003? I have the same setup on my Jazz bass, and its ideal for me, so no flaming please.

Are you planning on installing a preamp to give you the bass and treble part of your plan?

I still have the pickguard and wiring harness that I made for a '73 4001 I used to own (I could put it on the '73 4001 I currently own); it is available for a modest fee. It is is VVT with "vintage tone" toggle switch on it. Mono only, no ROS. The pickguard was made by Pickguardian; you would most likely have to drill some new holes for the pickguard screws but this will (should fit the bass fine) depending on what vintage 4003 you get.

I'm pretty ignorant on electronics, but if its just passive treble and bass cut, do I need a preamp? Is your pickguard already wired for master volume? An old friend (the guy I stupidly sold my 79' 4001 to in college) is letting me borrow it back while I save up for a 4003, so this more of a theoretical question than an immediate need. I remember playing a gig in college where I inadvertently hit the pickup selector onto the bridge pickup, which was volume cranked, producing an immediate doubling of the bass volume through the PA, sounded like a big wet fart! I used to tape the volume controls down ever after and let our sound guy set instrument volumes through the PA. I always wished I had volume pots that could lock in place, never seen anything like that.