ash Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 Hi I bought a bargain Rickenbacker 4001 '75 bass from gumtree a few weeks back. It had been left in a garage for several years having been defretted - badly - sprayed snot green and stripped of its pots and wiring with pickups attached directly to the jack. Well I've had it refretted and it plays really well now, I bought a pickup harness from the US (allegedly genuine Rickenbacker) but I have only basic soldering skills and I can't read wiring diagrams. I'd really appreciate some help - I'd like a simple to read step by step diagram/photos showing the wiring of your Ric and how to wire the bass up to a mono jack as I'm not bothered about stereo. The pickups both work and have a strong signal, the harness has two volumes, two tones with capacitors and a 3 way switch. There was no jack included but I have a few knocking around. Cheers! Here's a pic of the wiring harness - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 As always, the [url="http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php?schematic=rickenbucker"]Seymour Duncan website[/url] is great for wiring diagrams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash Posted October 5, 2011 Author Share Posted October 5, 2011 Thanks I looked at that but couldn't get it to work for me as the pickup configuration and jacks are different or appear so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 Yep that SD diagram is slightly different from your loom. It looks complicated but really it is a very basic circuit. All you have to do is take your "hot" wire from each pup and hook it up to either side of the switch then take the "cold" (negative / earth) from each pup and earth them somewhere - the diagram shows it on both neck pot casing.... presumably this is for physical convenience. The free lugs on the volume pots (the ones with the red wires going to them) go to your output jack. Make sure your switch and pots are earthed to the body/bridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mart Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 Or you could just take any diagram for a 2-pickup V/V/T/T + 3-way switch configuration, e.g. [url="http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php?schematic=2phatcats_2vol_2t_3way2"]http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php?schematic=2phatcats_2vol_2t_3way2[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash Posted October 5, 2011 Author Share Posted October 5, 2011 Well I tried your suggestions, many thanks guys, unfortunately I'm getting a lot of buzzing and fizzing from the tone pots and when the bridge pickup is played solo nothing but an almighty hum....here is my wiring, I have earthed everything to the bridge as suggested including the switch and tone pots. Both the bridge and neck pickup work when directly connected to the jack and sound great. I can't see any obvious problems with the pickup wiring. Its a bit of a hotchpotch of wires but all decent quality. The bridge pickup has a white (live/hot) wire and a red ground the neck has a black/red (hot) and a black ground. Anything jump out at you? I spent a number of frustrating hours and it's driving me nuts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 Have you tried switch cleaner? Failing that, the main difference between your bought circuit and the SD one is how the tone controls are wired up. All I can suggest is that you try wire up yours that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Stu Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 Is the loom supplied wired for stereo as well as mono, in which case there may be a few too many wires? This may be complete bollox, but it's the only difference I could think of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash Posted October 8, 2011 Author Share Posted October 8, 2011 Well I took the whole harness apart and resoldered: both pickups are working but the neck pickup is much weaker and the whole thing has the most awful earth buzz I have heard in my life - truly awful and unusable. i've ordered some copper shielding but I think this is more than an earthing issue. My mate has a meter to measure the pickup output so he will have a look when he gets around to it. I also emailed the guy who does the Ricky page 'Joey's bass Notes' but he is a little protective of his wiring PDFs and as a known enemy of the Rickenwaffe he may decline my request..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 If you've followed the schematic then it looks like you might have a failed pup that is earthing out when it shouldn't. I hope your mate has better luck with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 [quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1318103178' post='1398202'] If you've followed the schematic then it looks like you might have a failed pup that is earthing out when it shouldn't. I hope your mate has better luck with it. [/quote] Looks like I was [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/157429-wanted-rickenbacker-or-replacement-type-neck-pickup-for-4001-bass/page__pid__1398656#entry1398656"]right[/url]. Just how knackered is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 [quote name='ash' timestamp='1318100177' post='1398146'] Well I took the whole harness apart and resoldered: both pickups are working but the neck pickup is much weaker and the whole thing has the most awful earth buzz I have heard in my life - truly awful and unusable. i've ordered some copper shielding but I think this is more than an earthing issue. My mate has a meter to measure the pickup output so he will have a look when he gets around to it. I also emailed the guy who does the Ricky page 'Joey's bass Notes' but he is a little protective of his wiring PDFs and as a known enemy of the Rickenwaffe he may decline my request..... [/quote] Joey's a great bloke and if your Ric is a real one then I don't see a problem..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash Posted October 9, 2011 Author Share Posted October 9, 2011 [quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1318166624' post='1398697'] Looks like I was [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/157429-wanted-rickenbacker-or-replacement-type-neck-pickup-for-4001-bass/page__pid__1398656#entry1398656"]right[/url]. Just how knackered is it? [/quote] Yes it seems the only logical conclusion - my mate hasn't measured it yet but even hard wired to a jack output is low. The earth eyelet that attaches to one of the chrome surround screws has broken away so the earth wire has been soldered to the aluminium chassis. The hot wiring from the pickup has been tampered with and the wire lengthened by soldering on extra wire. Having looked at pics on 'Joey's Bass Notes' it appears to be wired correctly however the rubber shielding has perished in places and the magnet isn't as powerful as on the treble pickup. I think I may send it to be looked at by Wizard pickups - or can anyone recommend a pickup specialist who doesn't charge daft prices? I need to amend that ad as I got a Kent Armstrong 'toaster' from WD music having read a few reviews and discussion threads, this will do the trick until I can get the repair done. Thanks for all your input so far as it's been very helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash Posted October 9, 2011 Author Share Posted October 9, 2011 [quote name='4000' timestamp='1318177888' post='1398886'] Joey's a great bloke and if your Ric is a real one then I don't see a problem..... [/quote] Yes it's a genuine Ric, I can understand him not wanting to have his diagram's publshed elsewhere and I did make it clear that they were for personal use, his site is very helpful and he is obviously very knowledgeable so I would welcome his opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 [quote name='ash' timestamp='1318180544' post='1398931'] Yes it seems the only logical conclusion - my mate hasn't measured it yet but even hard wired to a jack output is low. The earth eyelet that attaches to one of the chrome surround screws has broken away so the earth wire has been soldered to the aluminium chassis. The hot wiring from the pickup has been tampered with and the wire lengthened by soldering on extra wire. Having looked at pics on 'Joey's Bass Notes' it appears to be wired correctly however the rubber shielding has perished in places and the magnet isn't as powerful as on the treble pickup. I think I may send it to be looked at by Wizard pickups - or can anyone recommend a pickup specialist who doesn't charge daft prices? I need to amend that ad as I got a Kent Armstrong 'toaster' from WD music having read a few reviews and discussion threads, this will do the trick until I can get the repair done. Thanks for all your input so far as it's been very helpful. [/quote] I think you can do far worse than go to Wizard. It might be a good idea to check first if he'll repair rather than re-wind it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash Posted October 9, 2011 Author Share Posted October 9, 2011 Thanks for the advice yes I have emailed Andy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash Posted October 12, 2011 Author Share Posted October 12, 2011 Just to update - I bought a Kent Armstrong 'Toaster' pickup for the neck and have sent the original to Jaime Campbell at 'The Creamery' in Manchester who's offered to take a look. I didn't hear back from Andy at Wizard or Joey I guess they are busy men. I also wired the bass up to two volumes/two tones and bypassed the three way - I sent the whole assembly to Jaime and used some old pots and caps I had that fitted a diagram I found I also shielded [i]everything[/i]. It's now hum free and sounds fantastic, gritty and clanky like a true Rick ought to but with a nice mellow hollowness when the tone is backed off. I may post some pics as despite the dreadful colour it looks pretty damn cool to me! Cheers for the input folks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 Nice one. We got a taster of the colour in an earlier pic... possibly a good match for the chap in your avatar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knork Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 [quote name='Delberthot' timestamp='1317801025' post='1394618'] As always, the [url="http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php?schematic=rickenbucker"]Seymour Duncan website[/url] is great for wiring diagrams [/quote] I'm about to wire my Rick, too. About this diagram, could it be that the potis are labeled wrong? I find it more confusing than it probably is... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickenbrother Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 When websites stop stealing my wiring diagrams without permission to use on their own, I will make my diagrams available once more. Until then, I will legally persue those who are stealing from my website. You might be surprised where I've found them. Joey of Joey's Bass Notes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iiipopes Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 HOLD THE BUS!!! Why go to other off-site places when there are three primary sources to get everything you need? First, the factory website has actual factory blueprint schematics for download at [url="http://www.rickenbacker.com"]http://www.rickenbacker.com[/url] , and then the enthusiast's forum can give you all the help you need restoring the bass at [url="http://www.rickresource.com"]http://www.rickresource.com[/url] , and then you can get all the help setting it up to play at [url="http://www.joeysbassnotes.com"]http://www.joeysbassnotes.com[/url] . RIC customer service can help you get in touch with the UK distributor to get parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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