One of the upsides of being associated with Oil City Pickups is that we see a lot of really interesting instruments coming through the workshop. Occasionally, they are with us because the owner wants to fix and sell.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/1brb8gmnk6zqbnv/Rickie.png?raw=1
To cut a long story short, this 1981 Rickenbacker 4001 complete with original case changed, hands to the delight of both buyer and seller.
Spent an hour on Saturday cleaning it up and changing the rusty strings. Rotosound 105s have been added. Next job to remove the plastic pick up cover (I can't get on with it, as I use my right hand to sting mute - almost impossible to do with the cover in the way. It will need intonating as well, but I need to work out how best to do that with out slackening off the stings all the time - all tips welcome.
And the sound? All I am saying is I am off to find a black suit and white shirt with a skinny tie to go with the growl you get hitting the strings with a pick.
Chief Bottle Washer @ Oil City Pickups.
Comments
The odd thing about it is that I found exactly the same - until I changed my modern 4003 for a '73 4001, with the main difference being the position of the neck pickup. With this one, somehow it seems totally natural to play with my hand resting against the cover...
You use the two height screws to raise up the bridge as far as it will go - that's why they're so unnecessarily tall - adjust the intonation, and lower it again. It is a faff, but you should only have to do it once.
I assume you know how to adjust the truss rods on pre-'85 Rickenbackers... if not, don't until you've read up on it!
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
I removed the plastic thingy from my '77 4001. Then, fearing possible damage to the pickup coil, I installed an over-priced plastic accessory to occupy the gap between the bobbin and the metal surround.
However, the bass is for playing with the geriatric punk band I am in, so I need to be able to dig in with a pick. I had also had thoughts about the pickup 'gap' though my plan may have involved the Oil City laser cutter... The joys of co-owning something powerful enough to cut 11mm perspex, and apparently sever fingers.
I have ordered a truss rod adjusting wrench (1/4") and watched a YouTube video or two. Anywhere else I ought to be paying attention to before I do any damage?
I admit I refitted the cover on my '73 (it didn't come with one) purely for looks originally, just to see what it was like - and was quite surprised to find that it doesn't actually get in the way. The one on my modern 4003 did, and I can only assume it's because the position of the neck pickup is different, which puts my natural picking position slightly further forward.
The important thing is to release the tension on the rods by manually bending the neck backwards before tightening them. This can be scary, and difficult - by far the easiest method is to lightly clamp the bridge end of the body to a table so the neck is overhanging, then you can bend it down with one hand and tighten the nuts with the other. You will usually have to pull the neck back further than you need.
The good news is that the old rod design is very stable, and once adjusted right it tends to stay that way.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
As for the cover not getting in the way, if I pick behind, it is to nasal and stiff and if I pick in front of the cover the strings ring and ring :-) I am definitely looking for the goldilocks position.
If you are looking for a gig in London at anytime, I might have a support band for you ;-)
But if it's in the way, just take it off. If you're worried about the pickup getting damaged you can either buy a purpose-made insert, or make one out of some pickguard material - which is what I did on my old one. From memory I spaced it down from the surround using a pair of rubber grommets so it fitted properly.
Other way round most likely! We're much more of a support act I think - all covers, although we play them in our own ramshackle way .
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
And if you say Adam Clayton, I will actually get in the car, drive the 8 hour round trip and slap you.
Although he doesn't play any of those things. Nor does Bruce Foxton, and you'd have trouble getting the right sound for some of those Jam songs without one.
There's more to bass playing than just fingerstyle...
I was actually hoping you'd rise to the bass "guitarist" bit .
No, it also adds a little bit of shielding because it's chrome-plated, even though the plastic itself is non-conductive.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Picks, fingerstyle, all good.
Slap? Slap can fuck off.
I still play with my fingers too, just not much with this band .
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein