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4003 vs. 4003S - Real World Experience?

Warpeg

Warpeg

Jun 20, 2005
5,428
12,494
Ohio
#1
I have a 4003 and love it. However, I admit that I do suffer from that common issue of the binding hurting my arm from time to time. The 4003S has always seemed very tempting to me for this reason. Unfortunately, I’ve never had a chance to play one to compare.

For those of you that have experience with both models: Does the lack of binding really help this issue or is the body’s edge still relatively uncomfortable against the skin?
 
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#2
I have a 4004 and 2 4003’s

I wear my basses up fairly high so slab sided instruments don’t tend to bother me much, but the 4004 body is a bit more ergonomic, and comfy.

could very well be worth a try, but losing the sharkfin inlays would be sad.

73724BCF-10C4-48AD-BA87-E2F6AD01914E.jpg
 
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#4
I used to own a 4003 and currently own a 4003s/5. The 4003s and 4003s/5 are kind of different animals tonally but the ergonomic comparison to the 4003 holds. I originally wished that RIC would have made their 5 string more like the 4003 but the more I play and enjoy the 4003s/5, I like the 4003s styling more. The rounded edges of the 4003s are clearly more comfy. Also, I've grown to admire the dots on the fingerboard more. I get the look of a 4003 is pretty stunning but in the end, it's the 4003s for me.

Bones
 
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#5
My experience won't count for much as I have not had issues with edge binding, perhaps because I play acoustic guitar as well as bass. Best thing would be for you to try and spend some time with an S model, be it a 4003 or a 4004. As to basses I currently have with binding, they would be my two Martin Keith Elfin 5 basses. Same as on a 4003, binding in front, curvy in back.

For the record, regarding Rick basses I have/had owned with binding:
1 - 4005WB
3 - 4001
1 - 4003
1 - 4003FL

Without binding:
1 - 4001V63
1 - 2030GF
1 - 4004Cii
3 - 4004L
 
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#9
Warpeg said:
I have a 4003 and love it. However, I admit that I do suffer from that common issue of the binding hurting my arm from time to time. The 4003S has always seemed very tempting to me for this reason. Unfortunately, I’ve never had a chance to play one to compare.

For those of you that have experience with both models: Does the lack of binding really help this issue or is the body’s edge still relatively uncomfortable against the skin?
Click to expand...

I currently have both.
When I was young, my buddies bound 4001 was absolutely unbearable to me, but after decades of playing guitars and basses, binding does not bother me at all anymore. I don't even know when that happened.
If you love your bound instrument, I have no doubt you would love an S model as well, if not even more.
I love both styles, but currently, I am infatuated with my bound '79 4001! :woot:
My mind relates my 4003s to a nice comfy strat, and my bound and fancy neck 4001 to a fine Les Paul.
Obviously, the best option is to give an S model a test drive :)
(I think you're gonna like it, a lot)
 
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#10
Warpeg said:
I have a 4003 and love it. However, I admit that I do suffer from that common issue of the binding hurting my arm from time to time. The 4003S has always seemed very tempting to me for this reason. Unfortunately, I’ve never had a chance to play one to compare.

For those of you that have experience with both models: Does the lack of binding really help this issue or is the body’s edge still relatively uncomfortable against the skin?
Click to expand...
It helps, but not as much as you'd think. If you switch your plucking to a floating thumb or Gary Willis technique though, the binding becomes a non-issue because you won't be resting your arm against the bass anymore.
 
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#13
WillyW said:
I have a 4004 and 2 4003’s

I wear my basses up fairly high so slab sided instruments don’t tend to bother me much, but the 4004 body is a bit more ergonomic, and comfy.

could very well be worth a try, but losing the sharkfin inlays would be sad.

View attachment 4527278
Click to expand...

Why doesn't Rickenbacker offer a 4004 with single coil pickups and wired like a 4003?
 
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#15
It's all a matter of where you play a 4003.

If you play near the bridge pickup / bridge, as per an FSO, then yes, the body can be a bit intrusive.

However, if you play in between the pickups, then this issue is negated due to the fact that the body isn't as high in this section.

If you play fingerstyle, then maybe look at getting a "Zero Mod" or similar style thumb rest, alternatively, maybe look at one of the TubeAmpology (or similar) bridge pickup bezels with the thumb rest.
 
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#17
WillyW said:
Why doesn’t Ric offer a 4004?
Click to expand...


I would guess because it didn't sell well. The 4004 was supposed to be a "Modern" Rickenbacker bass. The 4003 is essentially a 4001 with a few updates. The 4004 had a few problems, more 4004 basses had neck problems than 4003 basses for some reason, and the ill-fated 4004cii5 bass was a problem with pickups that did not cover 5 strings. Also the toggle, volume, tone wiring was a poor choice. Many 4004 owners rewired their 4004 to VVT.

I own 2 4004 basses, I put single coil pickups in both, one is wired with a toggle and 2 stacked pots so it functions like a 4003. My other 4004 has a 4 band audere preamp. I converted my 2 4004 basses to 5 string basses. The 4004 neck is actually quite similar to the new 4003s5 basses.

The slab body and rounded edges make the 4004 very comfortable.
 
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#20
Jeff Scott said:
If you were told you could only work in one style, anymore, which would it be?
Click to expand...

THAT WOULD NEVER WORK ...

I currently work for a firm with Architects and Engineers and we remodel VA hospitals. So we work with existing conditions and style. Most of my career has been a Bim or Cad manager and I have done a lot of Architectural illustrations so quite often I am not the designer.

The worst stuff I did was while I was at URS and we did industrial buildings. Today I am working a building designed ing the 1930s and it is neo-classical ... very cool
 
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