Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi everyone. My name is Jason Sheroan, and I'm currently a RIC-O-HOLIC. My best friend, Mitch Vice, warned me to stay away from this place, but I simply can't! I'm too hooked! So, let's just go for broke huh??

I have been in the market for a new bass for some time now. I've always been a huge Pbass fan. I currently have a G & L ASAT bass. It's been good for me, but I don't really dig it's vibe anymore. I've been playing bass alot in the last five years, and it's served me well. I'm finding that I'm starting to not dig "active" pickups. I record a lot, and they can be useful for that situation, but still... Nothing beats that awesome "Passive" type sound to my ears right now. I was all bent on getting a Pbass... when Mitch started working on me hard about trying out the RIC's. I played one once years ago and didn't like it. But I was wanting something "different" back then, and was just young and dumb. HA! My musical partner Jimmie said that I probl would like them because of where the bridge PU Cover is located. That it will get in my way. He also feels that RIC's are kind of "stiff".

So, I went to Guitar Center and played a 78 4001 Mapleglo, and a 2003 4003 Fireglo. It took me a few minutes to get used to it, but I soon figured out that I could rest my hand on the pickup cover as I played! (I play w/ my fingers mostly). So, I actually LIKED the pickup guard being there. I also found the tone to be amazing. The 4003 had regular Roundwounds on it, but the 4001 had flat wounds on it. I had never played flatwounds before. And I almost died when I fired that 4001 up! It was pure vintage cream! Macca heaven!! I was way into it. I A/B'd them both for quite a while and found that I loved BOTH sounds. I felt that the neck on the 4001 was just a KISS slimmer and it felt better to me. More broke in. The 4003 was a tad fatter and felt "newer and slower". But I could live with it.

So that night, I had a gig... so I had Mitch bid on this bad boy for me!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3765579822

I expected it to go for much more than that! But MAN!! I can't believe it's mine!! I'm way excited. Heck, I may have to buy a 2nd one just to put flatwounds on it!

Now, I haven't recieved it yet, but should by Monday. I've already ordered my chrome pickup plate, new knobs, and Mitch is giving me a chrome pickup guard. I'm also looking to buy a new white pickguard from Pickguardian, but need to confirm something first.

My biggest concern is the machine heads. The owner told me that it originally had the Grovers (or as he said Kluson's), on it. And you can see those holes in that one Ebay picture. But there are also a SECOND set of holes there. I can't wait to inspect the bass closer. Anyway, I'm going to dump those Schallers that are on there now and order either the original closed back grovers, or the open back Rickenbaker ones.

Now, I'm wondering... does it look like it's had the open back kind on it to you guys?? I don't want to have to create a 4th set of holes. If the open backed kind will fit on it perfectly, then it looks like they'll cover almost all the holes that are there now! That will be great. I hope that is the case. I need to either buy a new set, or maybe try to find a used set so it looks more like it came from 1974.

Also, are either kind of tuner better than the other?? Is there a performance issue with one verses the other?

The pictures in the Ebay article to me make the bass look more "red" than it should be. I'm hoping it's just because of how the flash miscolored it. I'm expecting the bass to be very much be "burgundy". I'm way excited cuz I love that color.

I'm also hoping to score a RIC case for it soon too.

Wants: New tuners, RIC case.

I'm very excited to be able to post now. I've been only able to read posts. I've been dyin' to do some talking!

FYI, I live in Indiana, married, kids, musician, insurance agent by day, rocker at night, long time player of many diff instruments. main focus is my acoustic duo www.dashfordaylight.com in which Jimmie and I both switch off instruments alot. My second focus is my Macintosh/Pro Tools rig.

Happy to be here!

Jason

Welcome to the Forums Jason.

Definitely!!!! Lurk no longer!! post away, my friend...WELCOME!!

Watch out for wild scottish guys who adore Fireglo!!

Hmmmmmm Fireglo !!!

How was the second Gig ???

Hi Jason, welcome! You will like the pickguard from Pickguardian, he makes very nice ones; I have bought quite a few from him for various instruments. In fact I just met him this past weekend and got to check out some of Tony's instrument collection including a 330/12 and a 4003 along with a custom made Telecaster hollowbody made by a friend of his.

BTW, this will be just the first of many Rics for you!

<<btw,>>

While I'd love to add to my Ric collection (modest as it may be - 75-4001 and a 2001-650 Dakota), reality intrudes...my next bass is probably going to be a sub $200 Carlos Robelli to knock around with in bars. Somehow bringing the 4001 out that much (we play roughly once a month) is making me nervous.

Flats, to me, give the most tonal flexibilty. I can still get a nice cutting high sound out of the 4001, but with the flats I can get some deep, deep lows. They blow my J-Bass away...

I started using flats onthe 4001 only recently. Actually, I only started using it again in the last 4 months or so when my band decided to give up finding a bass player. The drummer was kinda PO'd when he heard me play - "we've had a bass player this good right here, all along????" I use Fender flats on the J, and after a long stretch in the case the guitarist I play with admonished me for not giving enough love to the 4001. At the time it had some old round wounds on it, but they were unplayable.

I had read that the 4001 was designed for flats, and I remembered it having them on whe I bought it used in 1980...I had an extra set of Fender flats around, so switched and I was just floored! I don't slap all that much, so the loss of the real high frequencies doesn't matter to me. At this point I'm trying to be THE BASS, not a frustrated lead player. When I want to play guitar I'll force the guitarist to learn a tune or two on bass.

I might force him to use the J, though. It's fretless...once you get good on that you appreciate having frets all the more!

Thanks Jeffrey. I was wondering... Do you think I should wait and measure the one I have, or go ahead and order the one for my bass banking on it working? If it works, I can put it right on. If NOT, then I can just send it back.

Also, In looking at the back of my bass (from the Ebay pix), it looks like it used to have the closed back tuners on in. But does it ALSO look like it had the Vintage RIC open back kind?? I can't seem to find those closed back kind. I could try and score some used. But I'd really like to find a used set of open backed ones because it looks like they will cover more holes! Any thoughts?

Also... I'm already thinking I need another RIC. Maybe a 4003 w/ flatwounds. But I'd also one day like to get a 350V63 or a 325 or 620! HA! It probably will never end. I'm a huge fan of the solid body 3 PU models. I don't really care all that much right now for the hollowbody kind.

it's all so fun though!

Jason

Hmmm.. then I suppose I'll have to put Flats on my 4001 straightaway then! Pickup a cool 4003 for the roundwounds. What kind of flats do you guys like to use? what about gauge?

J

I've got a 50-100 set...funny, can't seem to find Fender flats around Tampa FL anymore (all the music stores down here pretty much rot), so I'm going to have to find a new brand.

The good thing about flats is that they don't lose their feel nearly as quick as rounds. Been playing the 4001 pretty hard and regularly lately and I see no need for getting new strings.

"Hi everyone. My name is Jason Sheroan, and I'm currently a RIC-O-HOLIC."

Hiiiii Jason....

Welcome to the forum!!

Sorry guys. He was my doing. I apologize.

What sucks is that in a week he'll be playing his bass, and in a month I just might be at the point where I can reassemble mine.

::

Jason,

Get the bass first and play with it for awhile before getting any parts. You just may be happy with it the way it is for now.

Jeffrey,

Good advice yes, but I cannot stand the black Pickguard or the black tuning keys. I don't have the bass yet.. but can tell you that I for sure don't like that look. I could get the bass and HATE it (Doubtful). Which then I would have "restored" it back to the what it was from the factory, and can sell it to recoup my losses. I could see waiting if I were interested in changing the pickups, but what I'm doing is cosmetic, and I for sure know that I want to do these things!

Thanks!
Jason

Hello Jason and welcome aboard...looks like you got a pretty good deal on that bass...Pic of the Rics and Jim Rhoads both sell the open back tuners,knobs and the pup cover. Sounds like you might be a flatwound guy from here on....some hate em but I'll never go back to the rounds (it just feels so much more natural to play on flats and even if you play hard you don't tear up your fingers...just my opinion of course.) I would suggest some Thomastik Infeld instead of fenders because they are much lower in tension and feel kinda spongey...a pleasure to play, although there is a thread here about flats with many good suggestions on different brands. Also, search for a thread on truss rod adjustment...the 78 is the old style and the adjustment is completely different than the modern 4003's or a fender or g&l....I also like the 4001 neck because it does feel a little thinner than the new 4003's...and don't be afraid to try out the mute..you might like it for some songs. Keep on Rick'n, David