Excellent article, Andy. This was a big help to me, as I'd never taken the time to research these models and was not clear about the differences - this made it easy. You certainly touched all of the bases (basses?) here, and did everyone a big favor. Thank you, and please keep up the good work!
Say "Cresting wave" if it makes ya feel better, but it'll alway be "puzzle piece" to me.
Cant unseen it now.
Im fun at parties.
A major of the documented reasons the 4004 didn’t catch on was due to the “economy of scales” approach RIC used, which included
the use of very low spec pots (allegedly 330k but prone to be half that) that effectively masked the great treble response of the hb1 pickups.
This resulted in very dull sounding basses, the last thing anyone who’s fond of the core Rickbass sound would want.
Fortunately it’s a cheap and relatively easy thing to replace the pots, and (again mismatched) .44mf cap with right-valued components.
This gives the 4004 all the clankability one could ask for.
Many Thanks, Andy, for a great read on my favorite Rick basses.
Although I never mean to scare anyone, Perhaps I am a smidge hyperbolic about them… 😎.
I can only say that I’ve owned and played most every model of Rickenbacker basses over the past 50+ years, and loved aspects of all of them.
The 4004 to me was the the most evolved distillation of the things I already loved about Ricks, in a more modern playable comfortable format.
I definitely prefer certain models/years/configurations. I feel the Cheyenne ii is the ultimate,
an Alembic-esque example of woodworking. I’ve owned 7 4004 models, and the early Cheyenne i and Cii are my ideal.
Great article Andy!
Woody must love this article!!
I feel seen!!! 😂
He’s one of the guys I’m afraid of!
Maybe you should
Anyway, I think the best looking 4004 I have seen on the web were yours. Specially the "4000 inspired".
Thanks! That was one I wish I still had, but I’m pretty much retired from playing now.
Xavierbass 😅
Love your Avatar picture! What year is your Laredo? (2008 or after, going by the 2-piece neck).
Hi Woody! You are so right, my Laredo is from 2015. I think the headstock is a beauty.
Love the article, these basses are underrated and definitely under appreciated!
Excellent article, Andy. This was a big help to me, as I'd never taken the time to research these models and was not clear about the differences - this made it easy. You certainly touched all of the bases (basses?) here, and did everyone a big favor. Thank you, and please keep up the good work!
High praise indeed! Many thanks…
Good job!! Thanks You!!
-Sam
Thank you Andy!
Great job!
Lemmy played a rickenbastard
Until he got his own signature model.
My ‘76 RIC will Be 50 Years Old Next Month!🎸🔊🎚️🎛️