Not totally murdered, more like manslaughter, Ric mods

[hopwheels]

Been meaning to do this to my 4003s for a while. Black Pickguardian pickguard, Nordenbocker neck pickup swap, and black truss rod cover on temporary loan from my case queen ‘73.

I even found little exact-sized, button head machine screws to replace those gawdawful-sharp-as-hell bridge pickup height adjustment Phillips head screws. Found ‘em just beaming out brightly in my bin of spare fasteners. This really wouldn’t add much $ to come from the factory this way.

Anyway, not exactly “none more black” but it’s just the way I like it. If Nordstrand made a little chrome surround for the Nordenbocker, I’d buy it.

The pickup is excellent btw. It really does play much more nicely with stock bridge pickup. And if by “nice” you want a pickup combination that allows you to crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women… yep this is the combo.

 

[Runlikegregg]

Oh I remember having many a bloody hand from my 77' from those damn screws. Ha!!
I think your bass looks great!

 

[bobyoung53]

Been meaning to do this to my 4003s for a while. Black Pickguardian pickguard, Nordenbocker neck pickup swap, and black truss rod cover on temporary loan from my case queen ‘73.

I even found little exact-sized, button head machine screws to replace those gawdawful-sharp-as-hell bridge pickup height adjustment Phillips head screws. Found ‘em just beaming out brightly in my bin of spare fasteners. This really wouldn’t add much $ to come from the factory thus way.

Anyway, not exactly “none more black” but it’s just the way I like it. If Nordstrand made a little chrome surround for the Nordenbocker, I’d buy it.

The pickup is excellent btw. It really does play much more nicely with stock bridge pickup. And if by “nice” you want a pickup combination that allows you to crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women… yep this is the combo.

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Very nice, I'm thinking of doing the same thing to my Jetglo 4003S, I have an old black truss rod cover hanging around if I can find it now after the move, I'll leave the stock pickups though.

 

[QweziRider]

Turned out great.

 

[deff]

And if by “nice” you want a pickup combination that allows you to crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women… yep this is the combo.

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This is exactly what I look for in a bass. Plus, your bass looks perfect the way it is. Nice job. I love it.

 

[JRA]

nice job, @hopwheels! that ax looks lean and mean! great job --- congrats!

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Been meaning to do this to my 4003s for a while. Black Pickguardian pickguard, Nordenbocker neck pickup swap, and black truss rod cover on temporary loan from my case queen ‘73.

I even found little exact-sized, button head machine screws to replace those gawdawful-sharp-as-hell bridge pickup height adjustment Phillips head screws. Found ‘em just beaming out brightly in my bin of spare fasteners. This really wouldn’t add much $ to come from the factory thus way.

Anyway, not exactly “none more black” but it’s just the way I like it. If Nordstrand made a little chrome surround for the Nordenbocker, I’d buy it.

The pickup is excellent btw. It really does play much more nicely with stock bridge pickup. And if by “nice” you want a pickup combination that allows you to crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women… yep this is the combo.

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Having owned a Rick 4001, I think you did a really nice job on your bass. Take a bow!!!

 

[skygzr]

"...crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women…"

You left out "eat all their salty snacks". And why not smite them most grievously upside the head while you're at it.

Bass is pretty cool. too.

 

[unresolved]

 

[JimmyM]

Make it your own! You bought it and earned the right.

 

[Craig T Vector]

That looks fantastic.

 

[DrayMiles]

That is the best looking Ric I’ve seen in my life. You have a kick-&$$ rig.
I got to give you props…

But my gawd… If it could have an ebony fretboard, I would buy that model instantly!

 

[RedMoses]

Just the right amount of Darkness

 

[john_g]

Nice. And I have been thinking for a while about putting in the Nordstrand neck pickup in mine too.

 

[hopwheels]

But my gawd… If it could have an ebony fretboard, I would buy that model instantly!

That would be killer!

 

[VitoMB]

Nicely done ! I like the all black !

I would like to do the pickup mod on my 4003 jetglo as well. It is a year 2020. Would you do the same to only the neck pickup ?

 

[hopwheels]

Nicely done ! I like the all black !

I would like to do the pickup mod on my 4003 jetglo as well. It is a year 2020. Would you do the same to only the neck pickup ?

I would, but only if the neck pickup had the same imbalance issue that this 4003s had. The neck pup was just poorly defined, too “wooly” for me. The Nordenbocker keeps the depth of the original, and adds definition and presence it lacked. These are all really subjective terms. I really based it on the YouTube videos I found, the price ($113), and that it’s an easily reversible installation. Easy decision at that point. But the bridge pickup in this is already a beast. Now they both are.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

Looks killer bro

 

[ComicBass]

Been meaning to do this to my 4003s for a while. Black Pickguardian pickguard, Nordenbocker neck pickup swap, and black truss rod cover on temporary loan from my case queen ‘73.

I even found little exact-sized, button head machine screws to replace those gawdawful-sharp-as-hell bridge pickup height adjustment Phillips head screws. Found ‘em just beaming out brightly in my bin of spare fasteners. This really wouldn’t add much $ to come from the factory this way.

Anyway, not exactly “none more black” but it’s just the way I like it. If Nordstrand made a little chrome surround for the Nordenbocker, I’d buy it.

The pickup is excellent btw. It really does play much more nicely with stock bridge pickup. And if by “nice” you want a pickup combination that allows you to crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women… yep this is the combo.

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That is a BEAUTIFUL bass!

 

[EagleMoon]

Love it! Looks much better with the black pickguard.