4001 or 4003

[Blues Infidel]

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

A 4003 built from 2006 onwards, is the ideal model, imo.

What changes occurred in 2006?

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by miles'tone

I used to own a '78 Ric 4001 and it was a dog. Nothing could be done with the truss rods (I belleve, as I was told by a very good luthier who knew his Rics) and it had a very high action so it was quite hard to play.

This sounds like the "luthier" did not really know Ricks that well.

[audiomitch]

Originally Posted by Blues Infidel

What changes occurred in 2006?

Mostly the pickup poles are adjustable height. All you need is a hex wrench.

That said, I have a 2005 4003 and it's a beautiful instrument. I like it a lot better than my old '79 4001. I owned that bass for about a decade, so I knew it pretty well.

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by Jools4001

I have a '73 4001 which I've had since before the 4003 was a twinkle in the eye I love it and will never sell it. However, if I got another Ric it would be a 4004, preferably with single coils and an ACG EQ-01 installed

I am now down to just two Rick basses, my March '73 MG 4001 (which now has a rebuilt, and great sounding, '60s magnetic horseshoe pickup in it ) and my Dec '11 RBY 4004 Laredo. The 4001 has TI Jazz Rounds and the 4004 has TI Jazz Flats on it. Very versatile pair of basses.

I keep thinking of doing the VVT mod to the Laredo but as it is a 2012 NAMM Show bass I will most likely keep it stock.

[Blues Infidel]

Originally Posted by audiomitch

Mostly the pickup poles are adjustable height. All you need is a hex wrench.

That said, I have a 2005 4003 and it's a beautiful instrument. I like it a lot better than my old '79 4001. I owned that bass for about a decade, so I knew it pretty well.

OIC - that is a handy feature. I have heard some talk that the necks have changed within the last decade and was curious if the changes were significant. I've noticed that the most recent ones have a two-piece neck versus a one-piece and the fingerboard inlays look more like the really old Ricks.

[Jeff Scott]

The current 4003 and 4004 use the same 2 piece neck blank and feel fairly slim compared to mid '00s necks, not as thin or flat as the neck on my early '73 4001, but still very comfortable. The fingerboards are now made from Caribbean Rosewood and the 4003 has really nice full width inlays like those from the '60s through mid Spring of 1973, but are constructed differently to allow for full strength of the neck, a reason they were replaced by the smaller inlays in '73. The CR fingerboards are gorgeous looking.

[jbiscuti]

The new necks are a huge plus, but unfortunately the new fretboards are one of the things stopping me from ordering a new 4004. I can't stand the way they look.

[synaesthesia]

Get both if you need to make different tones:

I have a 2008 4003 lefty set up for round wounds, and the bridge pickup magnet is reversed for hum-cancelling in the two pickup mode. (I don't use the dual mono rick o sound). Otherwise it is stock and gives one type of Rick sound.

I have a lefty 4001v63 from '96, and it is strung with flats, has the mutes on, and I play it with a pick for that Beatles mid 60's or Macca tone.

Otherwise, pick one and don't think about regretting.

[synaesthesia]

Originally Posted by thiocyclist

I've played some really crappy 4001s in pawn shops, probably because they were abused/neglected, and 4003s have tended to vary a little in neck profile which makes them all feel a bit different, so main thing is don't buy one without playing it first. Most major cities have some used inventory and new 4003s are not hard to come by either.

That is true, I've seen many abused and neglected Rick basses going second hand....having said that they never looked like they acquired any mojo from the abuse, but a beat up Fender looks 'normal'. Not sure there will ever be a market for 'relic'ed' Ricks. Even Lemmy's signature models come off RIC factory line looking real fine.....