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01-14-2010, 04:35 AM
| | | | For Trade: My New(er) Rickenbacker 4003 for Your Older Ric?
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As much as it pains me to say, I’m just not loving this bass the way it needs to be loved. It’s gorgeous and sounds great, but after a year of wanting to love it, I just can’t and it’s not getting the playing time it deserves. The neck is slim for a recent production 4003 but still a shade too thick for my stubby fingers. Fretboard width isn’t the issue so much as front-back depth & shape - best measured by girth, I think.
The bass was made in October, ‘08, and I bought it new in January, ‘09, from Willcutt Guitars in Lexington, KY. Other than stringing it with flatwound Chromes, the only change is a Pickguardian pickguard that mimics the full-width neck inlays. I have the original white PG with stickers as seen in the first series of pics below (1-11). I tried to capture the look of the new guard with additional pics (A&B). It has Ric’s latest hi-gain PU’s with adjustable pole pieces, the push-pull vintage tone pot, full-width neck inlays, case candy, etc. Condition is near mint. The only cosmetic flaws I know of are a tiny (~1mm) dent in one corner of the headstock (from hitting the thin metal edge of the case). It did not chip the paint and does not go to the wood. There is also a pinhead size mark on the front edge of the tailpiece. I can’t capture either blemish with the camera. Oh, the P/U cover has a few scuffs too. In the interest of full disclosure, I will mention that I sometimes hear a slight rattle when playing the bass unplugged. I can't figure out where it's coming from, but it doesn't come through when amped and hasn't been an issue for me.
What am I looking for in a trade? An older Ric bass with a thinner neck: 4001, 4003, 4001v63 or 4001c64. If it helps, 4001/4003 necks were apparently quite thin in the mid- to late-‘70s and again in the late ‘80s. Doesn’t need to be flawless, but I probably won’t go for something heavily worn or mod’ded. I’ve got $1,750 in this one for trade purposes and can add about that much in cash toward a trade up or would ask for the difference back for a trade down value-wise.
Thanks,
Matt B.
Links to hi-res pics:
http://www.thewatchtech.com/images/4003mid1.jpg http://www.thewatchtech.com/images/4003mid2.jpg http://www.thewatchtech.com/images/4003mid3.jpg http://www.thewatchtech.com/images/4003mid4.jpg http://www.thewatchtech.com/images/4003mid5.jpg http://www.thewatchtech.com/images/4003mid6.jpg http://www.thewatchtech.com/images/4003mid7.jpg http://www.thewatchtech.com/images/4003mid8.jpg http://www.thewatchtech.com/images/4003mid9.jpg http://www.thewatchtech.com/images/4003mid10.jpg http://www.thewatchtech.com/images/4003mid11.jpg http://www.thewatchtech.com/images/4003MidA.jpg http://www.thewatchtech.com/images/4003MidB.jpg |
01-14-2010, 07:18 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Cleveland OH / Guangzhou PRC | | | Girth?
Hi Matt,
That is a very nice Ric. And nice photos, too.
How deep of a neck is is too deep? Did you measure the girth of your neck?
My 2003 measures 11.3 cm just below the first fret, 11.9 cm just below the 3rd, and 13.4 just below the 12th fret. According to the database over at the Ricresource forum, that is just about average.
It is pretty comfy to me, but then I have relatively large hands. Do you know how small a neck you are looking for?
Cheers,
Russ
__________________
Lower your expectations.
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01-14-2010, 08:13 PM
| | | Hey Russ,
Yeah, the excel file on Rickresource is my best guide to what years tend to have thinner necks. This '08 is a bit thinner than average at 11.1 - 11.6 - 13.2. My 1980 4001 is similar but just 12.9 at the 12th fret. Weird as it may sound, that 3mm difference is huge for me. I just can't cook the gristle on the '08 like I can on the 30-year-old. Guess which bass I grab when it's time to head out the door? 
Thanks,
Matt B. |
01-16-2010, 01:21 PM
| | | | PM's replied to. Bass is still available for trade... |
01-16-2010, 01:54 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Antonio Texas | | | Interested on a trade for a Fender Passive 2008 jazz bass?? |
01-17-2010, 11:44 AM
| | | | I'd love to be able to play a Jazz, but the standard A necks are so thin at the nut that my hand cramps up... |
01-17-2010, 07:14 PM
| | | | Another PM replied to... |
01-18-2010, 04:14 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Antonio Texas | | well check it out and let me know if you do indeed get interested, it has been hardly played and only played in my apt, hasnt seen the light of stage... Fender MIA 2008 PASSIVE JAZZ bass for trade REDUX...
P.s. it is around 4inches in the beggining of the fretboard if you want a more accurate measure i could get measurement.. cools |
01-18-2010, 06:33 PM
| | | | More nibbles but no serious chomps yet bump. |
01-18-2010, 07:13 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Antonio Texas | | | :-s |
01-19-2010, 10:50 AM
| | | | Lalo,
I'm really not terribly interested in a Jazz at this time... |
01-21-2010, 05:45 PM
| | | | Gray-rainy-cold-January-in-Ohio BUMP. |
01-21-2010, 06:44 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Antonio Texas | | | hmm ok well worth the shot |
01-23-2010, 02:53 PM
| | | Just came close to a trade for an '81 4001. Nice player, but needed quite a bit of work, so the '08 is still available. Willing to consider best offers for sale, too. I'm sure now I won't be playing it anymore.  |
01-26-2010, 04:53 AM
| | | | BTW, I should mention that I am willing to consider shipping overseas, provided buyer pays for shipping, etc. | | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
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