Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Has any Rick bassist ever run this configuration?
Any impressions of what it might sound like?
Clips welcome, thanx all.

K9-4026 wrote: Sat May 13, 2023 8:53 pm Has any Rick bassist ever run this configuration?
Any impressions of what it might sound like?
Clips welcome, thanx all.

'60s, or RI HS PU?

I've done both.

I have a push/pull on my '74 4001, with a Lollar law suite Horseshoe on it, to disable and enable the cap. It has about the same effect, tone wise, as bypassing the cap does on a Highgain. It is a nice tool to have in the toolkit! I like the sound from both cap and non-cap... just depends on what sound I'm going for....

ram wrote: Sun May 14, 2023 9:14 am I have a push/pull on my '74 4001, with a Lollar law suite Horseshoe on it, to disable and enable the cap. It has about the same effect, tone wise, as bypassing the cap does on a Highgain. It is a nice tool to have in the toolkit! I like the sound from both cap and non-cap... just depends on what sound I'm going for....

How does the sound compare to a highgain?

K9-4026 wrote: Sat May 13, 2023 8:53 pm Has any Rick bassist ever run this configuration?

Not sure if this is what you're asking, but I think the 4001 V63 was without cap, and 4001 C64 was with. They used reissue horseshoes, not counting the first few V63s, which apparently shipped with real ones.

I used to own a V63, and the RIHS sounded aggressive, with a lot of output. Sort of analogous to a Tele bridge pickup. With the C64, the neck pickup dominates. To me that's a stronger sound, more like the 4001/RM 1999 my heroes played, even though the output is lower.

Korladis wrote: Sun May 14, 2023 7:30 pm How does the sound compare to a highgain?

I would describe the difference between the HG and HS as the HS is a warmer, fuzzier sound, almost microphonic. I would say the HG has a harsher sound to it. I have not played one of the RIHS so would need to defer to someone else on that.

This is one sold as a replacement part for a 4001V63, purchased in 2003.
Not related directly, but also curious if anyone has done such a mod to a C64, which my other RIC is.
Thanx again

(PS: My Username is the bass's S/N)

Next question:
Who has fit a 'Settlement' Lollar HS into a RIC RI HS Surround successfully?
That is one path I'm contemplating.

I know the V63s (and CSs) didn’t come with the cap and the C64 basses did. But how about the real ‘60s basses, like the RM1999s? Did they have a cap? I’ve played one and the output of the bridge pickup was very low and trebly (genuine horseshoe obviously), but I don’t know whether there was a cap or not.

It's my understanding that 4000 basses did not have the cap.

My ‘72 (neck-thru) and ‘73 (set neck) 4000 basses didn’t have the cap.

henry5 wrote: Mon May 15, 2023 7:34 pm I know the V63s (and CSs) didn’t come with the cap and the C64 basses did. But how about the real ‘60s basses, like the RM1999s? Did they have a cap? I’ve played one and the output of the bridge pickup was very low and trebly (genuine horseshoe obviously), but I don’t know whether there was a cap or not.

I believe the '60's 2-pu basses had the cap.
No cap on the single pu 4000 basses.

Thanks Kevin, I had a feeling that was probably the case.

Dane recently did a 4003S/v68 conversion for me and I have the Lollar with the pull-up cap on it. I don't have any soundclips but I'd agree with the comments of ram below.

IMO, the most classic "Rick" tone is the toaster with a capped bridge pu combo. Either hg or hs.