Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Which would you prefer and why?

I own both but prefer the sounds I can achieve on the 4001.
From a playability standpoint, I have no preference.

I love both but I am fixated with my '74 4001 - mostly because I have loved its neck since I first played it all those years ago! My 4004C has been altered to 500K circuitry replaced the switch with a Blend knob and had the Volume and Tone knobs push/pull to tap pickup cores. That coupled with a SansAmp I can get just about sound I want out of it.... and it is lighter than my 4001. But the play of the neck controlled my 4001 vote!

I have both. I was getting ready to sell my transgreen 4004Cii to pay for my 4003W when one band I play in insisted that I use the 4004, just because it's so beautiful. And it is. The transparent finishes on the 4004s are stunning, and they tend to have better figuring in the wood. On the other hand, I find that the neck feels thicker. I don't think it's any wider, but I think it's more of a D profile, with thick shoulders that my 4001s don't have. So, it's not as comfortable to play, for me. I can't be as specific about the sound, though. It came with flats. Later, I put halfrounds on, but I've never had rounds on it, so I can't properly compare the sound to the 4001s or 4003s.

I will say that I've received more compliments on the beauty of the 4004 than I have on all of my other basses combined. That transgreen finish just pops!

I love both models. My preference depends on the music I'm playing, though I can use either model for any kind of music. It's just more effort to get a clanky tone from a 4004. My bandmates of a blue band I was once in, would be disappointed if I showed up with any bass other than a 4004. They even preferred its sound over my Fender Precision. That speaks volumes!
It's nice to have a selection of both.

Joey, what's become of your 4004/5s? I thought you had one or two when I saw you last (OMG 16 years ago?).

bassduke49 wrote: Sat Jul 02, 2022 8:59 pm Joey, what's become of your 4004/5s? I thought you had one or two when I saw you last (OMG 16 years ago?).

I still have both of the 4004/5s that are in your book. Here they are, posing with the S/5s. They appreciate you asking about them.
I'd like to install the new style S/5 pickups in the Mapleglo Cii/5 one of these days.

Wow!! Quite a collection. I only have one Ric but look forward to more.

lumgimfong wrote: Mon Jul 04, 2022 10:27 pm Wow!! Quite a collection. I only have one Ric but look forward to more.

Thanks! It is the result of a chronic syndrome for which I seek no treatment.

rickenbrother wrote: Wed Jul 06, 2022 8:09 pm

lumgimfong wrote: Mon Jul 04, 2022 10:27 pm Wow!! Quite a collection. I only have one Ric but look forward to more.

Thanks! It is the result of a chronic syndrome for which I seek no treatment.

Mrs. rickenbrother has no problem with that, apparently!

rickenbrother wrote: Wed Jul 06, 2022 8:09 pm

lumgimfong wrote: Mon Jul 04, 2022 10:27 pm Wow!! Quite a collection. I only have one Ric but look forward to more.

Thanks! It is the result of a chronic syndrome for which I seek no treatment.

Ha Ha Ha !!

rickenbrother wrote: Sat Jul 02, 2022 1:35 pm I love both models. My preference depends on the music I'm playing, though I can use either model for any kind of music. It's just more effort to get a clanky tone from a 4004. My bandmates of a blue band I was once in, would be disappointed if I showed up with any bass other than a 4004. They even preferred its sound over my Fender Precision. That speaks volumes!
It's nice to have a selection of both.


4001 Squad.jpg

4004Cii 4 string.jpg

I'd send back that second one on the left- they forgot to put those metal things on the place where you fingers go.

jps wrote: Wed Jul 06, 2022 10:00 pm

rickenbrother wrote: Wed Jul 06, 2022 8:09 pm

lumgimfong wrote: Mon Jul 04, 2022 10:27 pm Wow!! Quite a collection. I only have one Ric but look forward to more.

Thanks! It is the result of a chronic syndrome for which I seek no treatment.

Mrs. rickenbrother has no problem with that, apparently!

Oh come on now, you know Mrs. Rickenbrother threw away the meds.

rickenbrother wrote: Sun Jul 17, 2022 4:01 pm

jps wrote: Wed Jul 06, 2022 10:00 pm

rickenbrother wrote: Wed Jul 06, 2022 8:09 pm
Thanks! It is the result of a chronic syndrome for which I seek no treatment.

Mrs. rickenbrother has no problem with that, apparently!

Oh come on now, you know Mrs. Rickenbrother threw away the meds.