NancyJohnson Posted July 17, 2014 Share Posted July 17, 2014 (edited) I picked up this 4003 about ten days ago...I've been using Thunderbirds for some time and armed with some good advice and available funds, I went for a Rickenbacker. Been a long road for me. I had a copy as a kid many years ago, loved them in the early Rush/punk days, fell out of love for a long, long time and then a guy I worked with said he had a 4001, I had a lunchtime loan and I was smitten again.. It's a nice alternative to the Thunderbirds, but to be honest it sounds very similar, but only because I'm setting my gear to make it sound similar, if you get my meaning. Irrespective, nothing but positive comments in the band, both on the look and tone. I've removed the treble pickup cover and installed a coved pickup bezel to fill up the ugly gap. The bass comes with Schaller compatible strap lugs, so I just fitted the strap-side fixings to a strap. Here's a pic from last Saturday (Basingstoke Live Festival). I'll post more if anyone is interested. P Edited July 19, 2014 by NancyJohnson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted July 17, 2014 Share Posted July 17, 2014 What? You're a man and not an old woman after all..? I'm shocked! Nice bass, btw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highfox Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Enjoy the Rik. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted July 18, 2014 Author Share Posted July 18, 2014 Discreet...yep, not an old lady! Sorry if you're disappointed. Nancy Johnson is the name of my band. (There's a long and convoluted reason behind the name; a few people know.) P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Great looking bass, congrats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madshadows Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Got any clearer pics?, looks a great bass though John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Valdemar Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 I am not at all jealous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howdenspur Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Looks good on you Paul and some more pics would be good! The Holy Grail of clank? Rod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oopsdabassist Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Looks great, but what the HECK are you doing that far up the dusty end?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 That's how you play an F# punk style, saves having to learn what the notes are on the other strings are, or tuning them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highfox Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Those Ricks are very powerful sounding up that end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1405687942' post='2504354'] That's how you play an F# punk style, saves having to learn what the notes are on the other strings are, or tuning them [/quote] Yep, I read about a punk bassist who, when asked by a studio engineer/producer as to why he had two strings on his bass replied, in case that one breaks. Two of the same string - quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted July 18, 2014 Author Share Posted July 18, 2014 (edited) OK, pictures. Rick and Rig: Reclining of the rug: I suppose if there was one thing that was a tad disagreeable it was the chasm left when the treble pickup cover came off. I bought a pickup bezel from RickySounds. They're made from a hard rubbery material and come flat, with a raised thumbrest or coved (this is the coved version): I'll knock a half point off for Rickenbacker's quality control as the treble pickup isn't glued into mount correctly; it's been installed off-centre and at a slight angle. Boo. Doesn't seem to affect the tone. So there you are. P Edited July 18, 2014 by NancyJohnson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Oh that be nice. I played one of these when I bought a second hand Marshall amp, the guy in the shop let me use it as a tester. Fantastic bass, I really liked it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gust0o Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Looks very nice! If you get bored of your other Thunderbirds, with this new found love, let me know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Gorgeous bass and rig, I can only imagine how great it sounds cranked. Congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 [quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1405704703' post='2504542'] ...the treble pickup isn't glued into mount correctly; it's been installed off-centre and at a slight angle. [/quote] You're not the only one. Maybe it's deliberate..? [url="http://www.talkbass.com/threads/rickenbacker-4003-offset-bridge-pickup.827623/"]http://www.talkbass.com/threads/rickenbacker-4003-offset-bridge-pickup.827623/[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madshadows Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 It's a beauty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon1964 Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 (edited) [quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1405704703' post='2504542'] I'll knock a half point off for Rickenbacker's quality control as the treble pickup isn't glued into mount correctly; it's been installed off-centre and at a slight angle. Boo. Doesn't seem to affect the tone. [/quote] They never are straight. I guess Ric assume you'll leave the pickup cover on and nobody will notice! Not to worry - a black Rickenbacker is the coolest bass you can own, so enjoy! Edited July 19, 2014 by simon1964 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted July 19, 2014 Author Share Posted July 19, 2014 George, our resident Rickmeister, says I can adjust the bridge pickup position by loosening some mounting screws on the underside of the assembly. (I thought the pickup was glued to the underside mount.) I think that my be a job for when I change the strings next. P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geofio Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 2 screws, underneath the pickup mount, loosen them slightly, turn the pickup slowly to straighten it, tighten screws job done. Geo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlfer Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Great to see you finally got one Paul, enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adee Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 SUPERB ... Now all you need is a Hipshot replacement bridge (THE best mod you can do to a Ric !) and you are sorted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevB Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 I think if I was playing mine more regularly i might opt for one of those bezels from Rickysounds too especially as he's in Notts and I could probably just drive to his house and pick it up. He did a 'classic tone' replacement pot for my 4003 a few years back. Not sure I'd bother in hindsight though, think I prefer it as it was originally tonewise (its a push/pull replacement knob so an invisible mod). The original bridge PU cover lasted all of 30 minutes after I got my 4003 (secondhand yr 2000 built) and its never been back on in 12 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geofio Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 keep the original bridge paul your bass is intonated and spot on no need to change it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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