2026 4003 NBD!

[Donavan12]

Ordered a discounted Jetglo 4003 from SW , expected to arrive in a few days
Has this headstock blemish
Paid 1900 shipped

I’ve got a set of the older style ric knobs( the silver top kind) ready to go when it arrives to install

Anyway, this model has the updated bridge and single DA truss rod, will this be a breeze to adjust and setup? If it needs an Adjustment at all that is… I usually do my own setups, but was wondering how well an experienced tech would be able to do neck adjustments on this for me even if they’re not necessarily ric specialized(a few shops around here do sell ric guitars though, basses aren’t as common)

I have played a newer ric model before and I dig the neck profile a lot, that’s the main turn on for me

I know the older models with the hairpin rods needed experienced hands to adjust properly

Will add actual pictures when it arrives of course

Share your experiences folks!

 

[elgranluis]

Congratulations !

I can think of the new system as easier to adjust as you’d be adjusting a single one instead of two. Any competent tech should be able to perform a setup.

 

[Donavan12]

Congratulations !

I can think of the new system as easier to adjust as you’d be adjusting a single one instead of two. Any competent tech should be able to perform a setup.

Thank you! Yes that’s also what I was thinking myself ,

I was looking up some related threads on this as well

 

[CochinoBass]

Even the dual truss basses with two normal rods (not the hairpin) were not difficult to set up and IMO any competent tech could have easily done it. I cant speak for a 2026, but I can tell you that my 1989 4003 had to have multiple adjustments per year (3-5) the first two years, then it settled down and I never had to mess with it again unless I changed to strings with significantly different tension.

 

[MrAB4003]

Congrats on your new 4003! Play it in good health and have fun when you receive it!

The 4003s made since 2022 are some of the best the RIC factory has ever made. Yours has the single truss rod, V2 bridge, and no horseshoe treble pickup cover, which is very nice!

 

[Donavan12]

Congrats on your new 4003! Play it in good health and have fun when you receive it!

The 4003s made since 2022 are some of the best the RIC factory has ever made. Yours has the single truss rod, V2 bridge, and no horseshoe treble pickup cover, which is very nice!

Thank you! I’m excited I’m probably going to have it setup, should I have the nut slots filed down for better/lower action or are they pretty good from factory these days? The strings I’m going to be using are 45, 65, 80,100 nickel rounds …my favorite strings and gauge of choice

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Standard DA rod, righty-tighty, lefty-loosey. Any competent tech should be able to set it up. Ric usually ships them with unnecessarily high nut action though, which can make the action a little stiff at the first few frets. Have your tech take a look and see if the nut slots need to be filed a little deeper. Unless you have experience and a decent set of nut files, DON"T wing it yourself, have a Pro do it. Have fun with it, NOTHING sounds like a Ric.

 

[Donavan12]

Standard DA rod, righty-tighty, lefty-loosey. Any competent tech should be able to set it up. Ric usually ships them with unnecessarily high nut action though, which can make the action a little stiff at the first few frets. Have your tech take a look and see if the nut slots need to be filed a little deeper. Unless you have experience and a decent set of nut files, DON"T wing it yourself, have a Pro do it. Have fun with it, NOTHING sounds like a Ric.

Thanks for the insight

Yeah I can do basic adjustments like truss rod, bridge,etc but filing nuts and things like that aren’t my field of expertise so I leave that to the experts, so ill
Just have my tech give it a once over I don’t dare attempt
My own “repairs” on such a costly instrument and run the risk of having to spend even more money for someone to fix my mistake properly lol

 

[pb9717]

WELCOME to Rick land! You can consider that blem the first of many once you begin seriously gigging that beauty. Good thing is, a little black nail polish will keep er’ lookin fine.

I love the idea of installing the foil top labeled knobs, and the return of the shark inlays that go from binding to binding.

Play the heck outta that beauty and maybe in 40 years it’ll look like this…….

 

[Donavan12]

WELCOME to Rick land! You can consider that blem the first of many once you begin seriously gigging that beauty. Good thing is, a little black nail polish will keep er’ lookin fine.

I love the idea of installing the foil top labeled knobs, and the return of the shark inlays that go from binding to binding.

Play the heck outta that beauty and maybe in 40 years it’ll look like this…….

View attachment 7502401

Thanks! That’s in pretty good shape for a vintage instrument rock/crank that toaster much?

 

[pb9717]

This baby's a player. Opposite of a case queen. The Toaster is the main sound. Sooooo Rick sounding. 6 FAT alnico bars under that top. Yours is like the great grandchild of mine. Young, new, ready to experience everything. Enjoy it. Ricks are certainly fun, and nowadays, rare.

 

[Octavio]

Congrats! I bought mine from SW in late 2024. This might be kind of quirky of me, but I too would like to put the silver top knobs on. I looked on the internet when I first got my new 4003 and multiple people said the silver knobs don’t fit on the newer 4003s. Does anyone on here know for certain?

 

[One Way]

Congratulations on your new 4003! I bought mine new in 2023 and the construction and finish quality is outstanding. I’ve adjusted the truss rod once since I’ve owned it, this is the most stable instrument I own. May you have many years playing great music on yours

 

[Donavan12]

Congrats! I bought mine from SW in late 2024. This might be kind of quirky of me, but I too would like to put the silver top knobs on. I looked on the internet when I first got my new 4003 and multiple people said the silver knobs don’t fit on the newer 4003s. Does anyone on here know for certain?

Aceonbass(eBay page) sells silver top knobs that fit the newer models( at least they fit mine the brief time I had it….I have some I’m installing on my new one when it arrives)

 

[mikeswals]

The better looking knobs are already on it!
I can't stand the silver top ones, but its yours to do what you wish.

 

[Octavio]

Aceonbass(eBay page) sells silver top knobs that fit the newer models( at least they fit mine the brief time I had it….I have some I’m installing on my new one when it arrives)

Thanks, Donavan12. I just ordered a set. BTW, love your avatar. I first saw them in ‘79.

 

[Donavan12]

it arrived, changed out the knobs…can’t even notice the headstock blemish no matter how hard I look, it looks pretty perfect