Rickenbacker 4001 Pickup / Jack problem

[Tim McCracken]

I recently bought a 1978 Rickenbacker 4001 and I can't get both pickups to work on the Standard jack. The neck pickup only works on the "Standard" plug and bridge is only on the "Rick-o-Sound" jack. They are on either side of the switch so I don't think that's the issue and I checked the wiring and it looks like it hasn't been messed with. I know the Rick-o-sound needs a special cable and I don't need to bother with that. But I bought it to re-sell and need to make sure it works properly before listing it.

 

[MoireBass]

Check the output jack. On a 4001, the stereo output has the neck pickup on the ring and the bridge on the tip. When you insert a plug into the mono jack (a Switchcraft 13) the switch on it connects the two channels. If the switch is no-op you'll only get the bridge pickup on the mono output (according to my schematic). Someone could have rewired it.

 

[Tim McCracken]

Thank you very much for your response, I was able to fix it! I pulled out the jack and noticed that there was a gap in between two of the metal pieces that should be touching. This is the same as the 3-way toggle switches that piece probably got bent outward over time. I didn't want to mess with it so I just put a bit of electrical tape around it and it should hold for a long time.

 

[MoireBass]

Actually, that's not correct. Those two pieces of metal should only make contact when the ¼" plug is inserted. Taped together like that disables the Rick-o-Sound stereo connection.

 

[Andrew Truscott]

I have a Rickenbacker 4001 bass which I bought new about six years ago. I have not used it for years and when I tried it I find that there is a fault with the "Standard" or mono jack socket. If I push the jack plug right in I get no sound but if I push it partially the guitar works fine. Of course the jack then drops out. I just remembered last time I tried it about a year ago I puled the socket out of the body and bent the connection a bit and this seemed to solve it. But a year later I am back to square one. It's a great sounding guitar and I want to start playing it on stage again. Has anyone got advice for me please?