About to pull the trigger on a Ric

By now any finish issues will have presented themselves and it sounds like this has none. I'd personally look to see what parts were swapped if any, and if the seller kept the PU cover, etc.

Playability will tell you what you need to know. Nothing like a Ric. I personally love the necks on them and find them ergonomic, but you'll know soon. Best of luck!

 

you can get a brand new 4003 for 1750. and it will have the new bridge design
try bruce at wildwood

 

These guys are the best. If you do this, you can ask him to have Trevor play it. He is their bass guy and ad writer and he can do a wonderful job describing what he thinks. No substitute for your own hands, but he is really good.

 

Bubbling or ribboning of Finish around bridge plate

 

Ric defects have been HIGHLY exaggerated here.

 

Agree....and everwhere else. i cant believe the endless amount of bad things I have read about Rics over the years. None of that ever mattered to me since its usually just people who really have no experience with the bass. All makers have defects or quirks or whatever. My only issue was the intonation with the bridge. But you set it once and really never deal with it again. The new bridge just makes it alot easier.

 

Got a new old stock 2019 4003 from a GC for a little under 1.7K. Was a good deal for me. While not even close to my USA Spector NS4s, she certainly gets played and is a lot of fun.


BTW - cure the binding on the forearm thing. Exercise stretch terry arm bands.

 

Good advice above.

If it has binding (I think it does), just check to be sure it isn't pulling away. I saw that on a Ric once a long time ago... but that instrument was abused by it's owner. Still, it can't hurt to look.

If it doesn't work out, you could always go online and buy a MapleGlo. Everyone wants a MapleGlo anyway.

 

Without the walnut wings on the headstock, please.

Good luck with the purchase! If you get it, run it in stereo or put it through a Tech 21 or EBS preamp.

 

I've heard them all but never heard that one.

 

I have got a 2020 with the new bridge. Do not hesitate if you have chance get a new one. I did not play it before buying. No regrets at all. YMMV

 

A lot of people are afraid of the (two) truss rods and hence a lot of them need set up, you can set them pretty much flat if you want, if it is difficult to play that is most likely the reason. I've been playing them since since the late 70's and have bought a lot of new and used ones and have never gotten a used one which I could not straighten out to make play and sound nice. You can drop the neck pickup a little but the bridge is very adjustable, if you want more bottom and the neck pickup is all the way up, drop the bridge. I would also take the bridge pickup cover off, I play right over it.

 

I’m not impressed by the new bridge, but it’s a bridge and it works.

Play the bass, not the interwebz drivel.

 

@catcauphonic - I just saw your post, and had to share this photo from Ric's Facebook page from May 30th. Apparently they plan on doing more with this "Grape Jelly" finish:

Pretty darn handsome with the black hardware!

 

Yeah and if Ric don’t make the one you want, they do change color easily.

 

Rics are unique instruments that are more like boutique basses made in mass quantities than they are common assembly line fare. You can get two specimens that are worlds apart. It is important to get one you're comfortable with and don't assume they are all the same. Try out as many as possible until you get one you like. If there is one local to you in Seattle, by all means check it out. If you like it, buy it. You can always resell it. The price is a bit high so you may have wiggle room or risk losing money if you resell it. Consider that beforehand. There may be others lurking about in the area. Hunt them down. The Wildwood idea is a good place to start. I don't think the vintage is of any undue concern, as major changes occurred earlier on and by the mid 2000s the basses were pretty well as good as they get. The new bridge just came out and may be of interest, but it can be retrofitted to any 4003, so don't let that deter you from an older model. So few of the newer bridge installed 4003s have been issued that the standard is the older style. Neck profiles vary from instrument to instrument, so again, make sure you're comfortable in that department. These basses come from the factory sans any shielding. That is up to you whether or not applying tape to the innards in necessary. The neck should be flat or close to it and the bridge should be adjusted correctly. Once done, those two things are practically set for life. They are a time consuming pain but not something you need to worry about once completed. Hope this helps. Best to you, Catcauphonic.