About to pull the trigger on a Ric

[TTA]

A seller in Seattle has a minty looking 2012 Jetglo 4003 available for 2G. I'm going to take a gander at it within a week, and I'm just wondering what are the main details I need to be paying attention to? Any known issues in 2012?0

Yes, I realize I can probably get one online for less dough elsewhere, but I can't feel good about not being able to test its playability before handing over the cash.

For the near decade I've been playing, I've always been happy being a one bass guy, but I've always wanted a Ric

If you rally like the look, and sound, get one.

I fell in love with the look of a ric one day when i was about 19 in a music store. I had no idea what it even was. I just knew it looked awesome.

Then i researched them online and got scared off by people who did not like the sound, or had various issues.

Then i found what should have been the technically perfect bass (fender stu hamm urge 2 bass)… based on online reviews of course. And i never loved it …and sold it for a ric 4003. Inever once for a moment regretted it, despite a less than perfect neck on the ric.

- no bass design is perfect (i think the fender urge 2 bass must be close…lol)
- what feels best to a typical player (ignoring really big or small hands) is most often what they are used to (play the most). Remember that in any review.
- if you want to like something, you most likely will.

if you crave a ric, get it. But ideally play it first. Ideally make sure it can be set up the way you want it.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

If youve played one, and it fits your hands and posture, its all good. I used to play like a dork, with my elbow stuck out like a chicken wing, so the binding never bothered me until I started laying my forearm on the body edge. As far as Im concerned, there is no better bass for pick playing, that Squire guy did pretty well with it. I ONLY play my Ric clone builds with a pick, I like something with wider string spacing for fingerstyle, but plenty of people play them that way. Its P-Bass nut width, but almost no taper, so they feel thinner in my hands. The mute assembly effectively prevents palm muting behind the bridge pup, which is one reason some people swap it out for a Hipshot. The UV finish problems seem to be limited to opaque solid color finishes, a known problem with UV paint, because its hard to get full UV light penetration through opaque paint. The color coat doesnt fully cure, but the clearcoat does, so its brittle. If you want to play it safe, get a Fireglo or Mapleglo, i dont think I've seen one of either with finish issues. The jury is out on if they finally solved this, there were examples as of late last year, cant say about 2021.

 

[lfmn16]

A seller in Seattle has a minty looking 2012 Jetglo 4003 available for 2G. I'm going to take a gander at it within a week, and I'm just wondering what are the main details I need to be paying attention to? Any known issues in 2012?0

Yes, I realize I can probably get one online for less dough elsewhere, but I can't feel good about not being able to test its playability before handing over the cash.

For the near decade I've been playing, I've always been happy being a one bass guy, but I've always wanted a Ric

A wise man. I love Rics, but they are definitely a play before you buy bass. Neck size and feel is all over the map.

 

[Bassclef46]

Do I need a secret code??? View attachment 4330815

Yes. It’s called communication. If you contact Bruce like I said, he will quote you a price

 

[bassclef112]

In January I pulled the trigger on a 2012 4003 in Ruby Red for $2K. I couldn't help it, it just set off that nerve. Mint condition, barely played. I wasn't really looking but I had a couple Rics years ago and knew I'd get another someday.

I've been playing it a lot and really enjoying it. Turned out to be an excellent bass with a comfy neck profile. For me there is a sweetness in the tone I find very pleasing. The neck responds well to the dual truss rods. I already have a Hipshot replacement bridge for it. I had one before and I liked it, just want to gig it with the original.

So AFAIK 2012 was a good year for Rics. I like the 4001 tone circuit option. Another flavor to use. Good luck with whatever you get!

 

[bobyoung53]

String tension on Rics is one thing that I always think is understated. The lack of forearm contour and the general amount of metal that can rip your hand up are also factors.

Their looks and sounds are killer.

It depends of what strings you put on them, the stock strings are kind of loose but there are a lot of strings that will tighten them right up, Rotosounds for RW's and Fender flats for FW's both tighten them up real nice.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Yeah, the neck profile is more consistent since they switched to CNC. When I bought my first Ric in 1978, I played through 5-6 looking for the one with the thinnest neck. They were all that different. Mine was “scary thin”, but not too stable. I like the current 4003 proportions overall, but the necks are a little chunkier than I’m used to.

 

[bobyoung53]

Yeah, the neck profile is more consistent since they switched to CNC. When I bought my first Ric in 1978, I played through 5-6 looking for the one with the thinnest neck. They were all that different. Mine was “scary thin”, but not too stable. I like the current 4003 proportions overall, but the necks are a little chunkier than I’m used to.

Some of my early 70's 4001s were 'scary' thin but very stable. I was surprised actually.

 

[littlebun]

A seller in Seattle has a minty looking 2012 Jetglo 4003 available for 2G. I'm going to take a gander at it within a week, and I'm just wondering what are the main details I need to be paying attention to? Any known issues in 2012?0

Yes, I realize I can probably get one online for less dough elsewhere, but I can't feel good about not being able to test its playability before handing over the cash.

For the near decade I've been playing, I've always been happy being a one bass guy, but I've always wanted a Ric

I bought a 9/10 condition '77 Ric Jetglo a few years back. It felt strange, as many new unique basses do. So I committed 2 weeks solid playing it, and only it, so I could get used to it. I play mine with flats, and it sounds great that way; crazy good with a pick.

 

[catcauphonic]

It depends of what strings you put on them, the stock strings are kind of loose but there are a lot of strings that will tighten them right up, Rotosounds for RW's and Fender flats for FW's both tighten them up real nice.

My string of choice is EB Cobalt rounds in 55-110

I bought a 9/10 condition '77 Ric Jetglo a few years back. It felt strange, as many new unique basses do. So I committed 2 weeks solid playing it, and only it, so I could get used to it. I play mine with flats, and it sounds great that way; crazy good with a pick.

I picked up a set of Cobalt flats in 55-110 but have yet to use them. This could be the bass they were waiting for

 

[MrLenny1]

Go for it and at $2k yes you want to try first.
I had a '73 Ric 4003 and still miss it.

 

[Bikeguy57]

I'm a big fan of buying a bass that's been around a few years. Whatever is going to happen on a 9 y/o Rick has already happened. Once you adjust the neck for your relief/string preference, you'll probably never have to touch it again. Same for the bridge intonation. If you can operate a screwdriver it's easy, not the nightmare some less knowledgeable people have made it out to be. If it's pristine, and looks/plays nice, 1800.00 is a fair price these days. Good luck!

 

[catcauphonic]

The only trigger I'd pull on a Ric (and yes, I once owned one) would be that of a 12-gauge shotgun...

*Ding ding* you win at being the first ding dong in here to have nothing positive to contribute Now scram

 

[HubbardsFate]

*Ding ding* you win at being the first ding dong in here to have nothing positive to contribute Now scram

 

[Buster Brown]

If you rally like the look, and sound, get one.

I fell in love with the look of a ric one day when i was about 19 in a music store. I had no idea what it even was. I just knew it looked awesome.

Then i researched them online and got scared off by people who did not like the sound, or had various issues.

Then i found what should have been the technically perfect bass (fender stu hamm urge 2 bass)… based on online reviews of course. And i never loved it …and sold it for a ric 4003. Inever once for a moment regretted it, despite a less than perfect neck on the ric.

- no bass design is perfect (i think the fender urge 2 bass must be close…lol)
- what feels best to a typical player (ignoring really big or small hands) is most often what they are used to (play the most). Remember that in any review.
- if you want to like something, you most likely will.

if you crave a ric, get it. But ideally play it first. Ideally make sure it can be set up the way you want it.

I have to agree with you. I started playing Rics way back in the late 60s. I have always owned one or two at a time and, over the years, the honeymoon slowly ended. I still have my Rics - but don't really play them that much anymore. Hell, truth be told, I have always gravitated toward the P and the J....just feels like "home" for me....but by all means, those who have always craved one should ABSOLUTELY get one. I distinctly recall my first one. Bought it for $350 back in the day - and back then, that was a fortune. I cut way too many yards to save that up......

 

[littlebun]

My string of choice is EB Cobalt rounds in 55-110
I picked up a set of Cobalt flats in 55-110 but have yet to use them. This could be the bass they were waiting for

The older 4001 necks sometimes can't handle a heavy gauge set of flats. The newer Rics have no problem with them I hear.

 

[catcauphonic]

Pics from the ad >

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Looks nice, I can’t see any obvious finish issues in the photos, might be a peach

Edit;
On closer inspection, looks like clearcoat separation right around the bridge, which is where it usually happens. Zoom in on the bridge and you’ll see it, sort of greyish “bubbles” right at the edge of the bridge, the biggest one just above the left side mute screw. I’ve seen worse, might be minor enough to overlook.

 

[StereoPlayer]

Pics from the ad >

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Looks clean.

 

[catcauphonic]

Looks nice, I can’t see any obvious finish issues in the photos, might be a peach

Edit;
On closer inspection, looks like clearcoat separation right around the bridge, which is where it usually happens. Zoom in on the bridge and you’ll see it, sort of greyish “bubbles” right at the edge of the bridge. I’ve seen worse, might be minor enough to overlook.

Looks clean.

A nekkid eye inspection will best tell the tale