famous 4003 users (not 4001)

[UnderDogbassist]

i know there alot of big bass names that use rickenbacker basses, but all the big names i can think of (paul mccartny, jesse f keeler, chris squire, cliff burton, geddy lee) played on 4001's, not the newer, supposedly better 4003's. now for the majority of these guys, they were playing before the 4003 was manufactured, but for some of them (namely burton and keeler) they were around when they were being produced. i was wondering if there were any big bass names that DEFINETLY played on a 4003. it seems that alot of the lists on the internet have create a blurry image of who plays which, and the end result is just a list that plays rick basses in general, not specific models.

[audiomitch]

The two models are pretty similar. The 4003 replaced the 4001 as an improved version of basically the same model.

[Augment]

Lemmy's used some 4003's over the years. I can't really think of anyone who has strictly used a 4003 and not a 4001 as well.

I guess part of it comes down to the fact that when names like Geddy Lee, Chris Squire, Lemmy, and Paul McCartney are dropped, there aren't that many players of that stature in the "rock" spectrum that carry the same weight. The bassists from modern bands like Franz Ferdinand, The Hives, Wolfmother among others use/used Rics, but to be honest I don't even know their names, and I'm actually a fan!

The 4003 didn't completely "replace" the 4001 until the mid 1980's. Scoring a used 4001 was a much better deal in the late 80's and throughout the 90's, so even "modern day" players are probably more likely to have an old 4001 rather than a 4003. The past 10-15 years hasn't brought forth a legendary player that uses Rics so far.

Lately, the going rate for a 4001 from the 70's / 80's currently matches up pretty close to the asking price for a new 4003. I'd guess that in the near future, the value of a 4001 will start to become considerably more than the value of a 4003, so perhaps the glory days of the 4003 are still yet to come, so to speak.

[BKBassDude]

Al Cisneros...I'm sure there are more but I think he's probably one of the higher profile Rick players to come of age during the modern production.

[Duke21]

Originally Posted by Augment

Lemmy's used some 4003's over the years. I can't really think of anyone who has strictly used a 4003 and not a 4001 as well.

I guess part of it comes down to the fact that when names like Geddy Lee, Chris Squire, Lemmy, and Paul McCartney are dropped, there aren't that many players of that stature in the "rock" spectrum that carry the same weight. The bassists from modern bands like Franz Ferdinand, The Hives, Wolfmother among others use/used Rics, but to be honest I don't even know their names, and I'm actually a fan!

The 4003 didn't completely "replace" the 4001 until the mid 1980's. Scoring a used 4001 was a much better deal in the late 80's and throughout the 90's, so even "modern day" players are probably more likely to have an old 4001 rather than a 4003. The past 10-15 years hasn't brought forth a legendary player that uses Rics so far.

Lately, the going rate for a 4001 from the 70's / 80's currently matches up pretty close to the asking price for a new 4003. I'd guess that in the near future, the value of a 4001 will start to become considerably more than the value of a 4003, so perhaps the glory days of the 4003 are still yet to come, so to speak.

The 4003 suppose to be better, and with the push-pull function you've got the 4001 sound or the more modern sound.
The best young Rick player I know is Miguel Falcao, but he uses the 4001 Squire sig bass....

[cassius987]

A rose by any other name... The only substantial difference in my mind is how the necks and truss rods are/were made. The other differences between the two models don't add up to anything greater than the differences WITHIN the two models.

[Ric5]

Rickenbacker continued to improve the 4001 bass through the 70s. But when they redesigned the neck to have a modern truss rod system and to be able to take all string types they called the new bass a 4003.

The main difference between the 2 is with a 4003 you won't pop off the fret board on a 4003 if you overtighten the truss rods. The worst you can do is break the nut off the rod and then you simply replace the rods. It is pretty easy. I have done it twice.

Also the 4003 has slightly hotter pickups and many 4003 basses do not have the .0047 capacitor.

There are a lot of other year by year minor changes.