Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi Folks,

I was wondering if anyone could help me out here. I want to do the vintage tone circuit mod to my 4001v63, but there isn't any easy way to get Rickenbacker parts here in Australia; there doesn't seem to be a local distributor. I've found that many online dealers either aren't able to ship here, or the postage quoted is INSANE ($40 postage for a cap and a pot???).

So, I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on which brand and type of cap and pot I could substitute?

Thanks,

Nick

This is the same pot (Alpha, 500K log, DPDT) previously used by Rickenbacker, only they had different solder lugs.
http://www.banzaimusic.com/Alpha-16-DPDT-500k-log.html

either one of these caps should do
http://www.banzaimusic.com/Mallory-150-0-0047uF.html
http://www.banzaimusic.com/Orange-Drop- ... 047uF.html

or, search for "Rickenbacker vintage tone" on ebay.

Wiker wrote:This is the same pot (Alpha, 500K log, DPDT) previously used by Rickenbacker, only they had different solder lugs.

That's not the same pot. The Rickenbacker wiring cavity is shallow and typical push-pull pots will not fit, the one sold on the Rickenbacker website is a special pot with a short switch base.

Grey wrote:

Wiker wrote:This is the same pot (Alpha, 500K log, DPDT) previously used by Rickenbacker, only they had different solder lugs.

That's not the same pot. The Rickenbacker wiring cavity is shallow and typical push-pull pots will not fit, the one sold on the Rickenbacker website is a special pot with a short switch base.

The Alpha pot was used previously. Cavity is just deep enough for that pot when the lug at the bottom of the switch housing is cut off.
The push-pull used today is a different one, with SPST switch it seems.

Thanks all for your help and suggestions! Orange Drops are pretty common, so shouldn't have too much difficulty there.

Grey wrote:

Wiker wrote:This is the same pot (Alpha, 500K log, DPDT) previously used by Rickenbacker, only they had different solder lugs.

That's not the same pot. The Rickenbacker wiring cavity is shallow and typical push-pull pots will not fit, the one sold on the Rickenbacker website is a special pot with a short switch base.

Actually, that's only true of 4001s. And possibly the very newest 4003s since they switched to a very short on/off type switch. But 4003s from the 2000s generally take the Alpha DPDT switchable, 500K pot no problem, as I have used 4 of them in one bass at one time.

cassius987 wrote:Actually, that's only true of 4001s. And possibly the very newest 4003s since they switched to a very short on/off type switch. But 4003s from the 2000s generally take the Alpha DPDT switchable, 500K pot no problem, as I have used 4 of them in one bass at one time.

Good to know.

If I recall, for my 2000 model I ordered the official 330K pot from Pick Of The Ricks no problem - and shipped to Australia.

I was advised against using an orange drop, so a fellow member here sold me a Sprague paper and oil. You should be able to find one on Ebay. More expensive but I am told they're better. I noticed a slight and worthwhile improvement over the original orange drop I installed to test.

Benjamin wrote:If I recall, for my 2000 model I ordered the official 330K pot from Pick Of The Ricks no problem - and shipped to Australia.

I was advised against using an orange drop, so a fellow member here sold me a Sprague paper and oil. You should be able to find one on Ebay. More expensive but I am told they're better. I noticed a slight and worthwhile improvement over the original orange drop I installed to test.

How long ago did you order from POTR, Benjamin? There's a notice on the site (in red writing, so you know it's serious!) saying that they are not permitted to ship Rick parts outside of North and South America.

Thanks for the advice on the Sprague cap!

That's interesting. I have seen that warning. Maybe it is a blanket warning to cover some parts but not all.

I ordered mine in October 2012. Maybe their terms have changed.

I may have missed it but what year is yours and do you know what pots? 300 or 500? eBay again may be the source. I think Ric use CTS brand.

POTR can probably sell that part outside of it's territory as RIC does not actually make that component, they just use it. The warning in red is most likely just a blanket statement.

Sounds like it might be worth me asking POTR if he can ship those parts to me.

My bass was made in 1997. No idea what pots are in there at the moment - whatever was stock - but the push/pull pot on the RIC website is 330k. And having just looked on eBay, it does look like a CTS brand pot; I didn't realise they weren't made in-house at RIC. Funnily enough, no listing for a 330k SPST pot on eBay...

I'd be very surprised to find any instrument make actually producing their own electronic components such as potentiometers and capacitors.

I have loads of Russian pio caps the correct value if you need one...

Eden.

weemac wrote:I have loads of Russian pio caps the correct value if you need one...

Eden.

I may well be in contact, Eden. Thanks for the offer!