NBD: 2012 Rickenbacker 4003 Ruby Red - Page 5

lesmarshall · #81 12-10-2012, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric5

I agree the newer Ricks are a D profile.

For me D means flat and wide whereas C means chunkier.

I have a 2011 Midnight Blue and it is like a "D" --flatter and wider--not a like "C".

soxhats · #82 12-10-2012, 09:01 PM

I took the bass out tonight for the first time, to rehearse with my classic/hard rock band. So, my first time playing this Ric, or any Ric, in a band setting.

It was a revelation. At home, I felt I was still trying to get used to the ergonomics that are different than what I'm used to with Fender-style basses. At the rehearsal, the Ric soon felt very natural. My attitude about the neck went from "This is chunkier than I'm used to, but it feels good. I'm okay with it" to "This neck feels *really* good and plays even better."

And the sound -- I don't need to get into too many details here. One thing that jumped out at me was the sustain. You can read about the famous Ric sustain all you want, but until you personally experience it, you just can't really know.

The most remarkable thing was the reaction of the rest of the band. Predictably, when they saw the Ric, there was an appreciative gasp. But when we started running through the songs and they heard the growl... well, the guitar player just started beaming.

Taking a bass out for the first time can sometimes be slightly scary, like driving a new car after you take delivery. Is it really going to be what I thought and hoped it would be, is it really for me? After tonight, I can say of my new ruby red Ric: Um, yeah.

soxhats · #83 12-18-2012, 12:34 PM

Merry Christmas.

P. Aaron · #84 12-18-2012, 01:41 PM

Yeah! Very cool!

southpaw420 · #85 12-18-2012, 01:55 PM

I dub it, ..... The Santa bass.

soxhats · #86 12-18-2012, 01:57 PM

Low low low, Merrrry Christmas.

mikeluch · #87 01-03-2013, 06:49 AM

I just picked up a 2012 FG 4003 after reading that the neck and build had improved for 2012. I was not sure if I was going to like the neck since I had a 2006 4003 that was too chunky for me, and I play mostly jazz necks and smaller neck profiles (MM Sterling profile).
While I have not played in a band setting yet (will do so tonight) so far the neck is growing on me. It does not feel as chunky as I recall the 2006 was and feels better(for me) than the older P bass necks. I would agree that it feels more like a D neck (flatter).
Still not sure if it will be a keeper, but initial impressions are good. Still trying to find a Ric that compares to my old 1972 4001.

soxhats · #88 01-03-2013, 06:54 AM

Hi Mike from Cranston (home of Miss Universe). I'm originally from Providence... What you described is exactly my usual MO with necks and how I feel about this Ric. I have come to really like this neck, consider it one of my favorite things about the bass. Again, which is a little weird because it doesn't, on paper, necessarily seem my favorite kind of neck. Go figure.

mikeluch · #89 01-03-2013, 07:07 AM

You are lucky that you live where you are! Love the Raleigh area.
I still find my favorite bass neck to be my Lakland 4-94

soxhats · #90 01-03-2013, 07:17 AM

Not to go off topic but, hey, it's my thread... Yeah, I am digging this Ric, but if disaster struck and I could keep only one bass, it would be my Lakland Bob Glaub with the 1.5" neck... Mike, we're not too far apart in age. Who knows, we may have passed each other at Narragansett Pier or Scarborough, or at the ORIGINAL Lupo's (Westminster and Empire), or at a Beaver Brown show.