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Anything About a Rickenbacker 4003?
- Thread starter ecj_bass
- Start date
The chromed plastic pickup cover is threaded onto the pickup adjustment screws. If you remove the screws, the cover and pickup will be loose. Then you can re-mount the pickup. This leaves a large gap between the pickup and the chrome surround (which may have some sharp edges). I used one of the Tubeampology bezels to fill the gap on my 4003. If you want to be able to adjust your neck, you will need a 1/4" nut driver with a long shaft. The clearance around the truss adjustment nuts was so close on mine, I had to grind down the walls on the nut driver:
Be aware that John Hall apparently does not believe in shielding.
Be aware that John Hall apparently does not believe in shielding.
I've got a Fireglo 4003, purchased new in 2009. Killer bass! As far as issues go, seems like you're aware of em. Apparently some folks suffer from tail lift, though mine is fine. I tried to live with the pickup cover for a while, but ultimately found it limiting. It IS a pain in the A to take off on your own, what with the screws and springs being trickier than they need to be. I brought my bass in to have a pro setup and had my tech do it at the same time, no sweat.
The biggest issue I've encountered, and it's more of a setup thing than anything else, is the "fine art of pickup height adjustment". Bone stock, your bridge pickup will probably be much louder than your neck pup. I had my tech adjust them to balance the volumes a little bit, but found I didn't care for the bridge pickup tone as much when backed off, and then I ran into an issue where the strings would occasionally touch the raised polepieces of the neck pup, causing the worst popping sound you've ever heard to shoot through my amp, clipping the preamp hard. At first I thought it was a speaker dying, but the pickup height (and my aggro playing style) were to blame. Ultimately we lowered the neck pup back down a bit and raised the bridge some. The volumes aren't quite even between pickups, but I've learned to deal. Its not like I switch from one pickup to the other mid-set or anything.
Final issue is the bridge: as a bridge it's fine. Not easy to adjust, but a skilled tech should be fine. My issue is that it's impossible to palm mute because of the housing for the mutes. Again, it's ok if you get used to it, but I have to bust my Precision out for certain songs that require that muted thud. I've found you CAN get that tone fairly well by raising the mutes on the 4003, but its not convenient to do from song to song (it actually takes a few minutes, and is annoying.)
Best of luck! These Rics are finicky beasts, but there's nothing else like 'em!
The biggest issue I've encountered, and it's more of a setup thing than anything else, is the "fine art of pickup height adjustment". Bone stock, your bridge pickup will probably be much louder than your neck pup. I had my tech adjust them to balance the volumes a little bit, but found I didn't care for the bridge pickup tone as much when backed off, and then I ran into an issue where the strings would occasionally touch the raised polepieces of the neck pup, causing the worst popping sound you've ever heard to shoot through my amp, clipping the preamp hard. At first I thought it was a speaker dying, but the pickup height (and my aggro playing style) were to blame. Ultimately we lowered the neck pup back down a bit and raised the bridge some. The volumes aren't quite even between pickups, but I've learned to deal. Its not like I switch from one pickup to the other mid-set or anything.
Final issue is the bridge: as a bridge it's fine. Not easy to adjust, but a skilled tech should be fine. My issue is that it's impossible to palm mute because of the housing for the mutes. Again, it's ok if you get used to it, but I have to bust my Precision out for certain songs that require that muted thud. I've found you CAN get that tone fairly well by raising the mutes on the 4003, but its not convenient to do from song to song (it actually takes a few minutes, and is annoying.)
Best of luck! These Rics are finicky beasts, but there's nothing else like 'em!
Also, for the record: I took my pickup cover off and don't have any problem with the "sharp" edges afterwards. Actually the edges aren't really sharp on the cavity of mine at all. YMMV.
I planned on removing the cover, too, but it's a real pain and you pretty much have to remove the strings to do it, so I got lazy and decided to leave it on for a while. So far, I haven't removed it and I've pretty much gotten used to it. So unless you're really set on it, I recommend leaving the cover on for a little while and see what you think. You can always remove if you hate it. I like the way it looks, but you might not.
When mine arrived the white binding was a little yellowed in spots, and there is slight tail lift on the bridge, just enough to see daylight peeking underneath. It's a bit heavy, had to use a wide leather strap. No neck dive.
Took me a while to get used to it; the body shape and neck are so different from the J-style stuff I've always used, but the sound is amazing, and the notes ring all day long, so it's worth getting used to.
And it looks cool, always a plus.
Oh yes he will... Hehehe
Thanks for the heads up everyone! I'll be looking foward to getting it today!!
Oh, yeah. The case is another story... total POS. Had mine 2 months before the bottom feet cracked through the case body. And of course they charge a fortune for replacement cases, made just as poorly. It's funny, because the case itself feels just as nice as any of my cases... but it just falls apart. I'm still using mine, but I don't put much faith in it. These days I'm more apt to throw my Ric in my Mono gigbag instead of deal with the crap case.
You actually apply almost all those complaints to Fender over the years, while Gibson has a LONG record of disgruntled customers, and an even worse record of customer service. Not worth listing them here, just do a simple Google search.
I had a '92 Precision Bass where the finish would come off in chunks. This was a documented issue for that era, not an isolated incident. Their "Standard" line of instruments generally have low output pickups, it's a favorite mod of people who buy them. Even their upper end "American" models are modded in droves. Cheap lightweight bridge - another favorite part to replace by owners. The cheap plastic nut is serviceable, but if you want to customize the height, you'll need to replace it (unlike a Ric that leaves the nut high for this very purpose). Fender is infamous for "dead spots" and rough fret ends. They even rolled out the American Series to address the fret issue. Hand rolled fret edges anybody? Buying a Fender, regardless of price or country of manufacture, is an absolute crapshoot. Much more so than a Ric.
The fact that most people don't understand Rics is usually the cause of their frustration. It's a different animal.
BTW, I love my Fenders, but I don't hold them up to be the highest example of quality. It's just a silly statement on the face of it.
Quality in workmanship should be the main criteria in any musical instrument, shouldn't it?
If basses are being shipped out with really obvious flaws, shouldn't that be addressed? It's one thing if a bass is a $100 SX (i.e.), you don't expect there to be the kind of quality control there would or should be for a <$1500 instrument.
The fact is, we don't know what the majority of Rics are like that are getting shipped out. There could be a huge amount of basses with problems, or not. All we know about are the small percentage of people here on Talkbass (who are for the most part, very knowledgeable) who are willing to stand up and say "my bass has an issue(s)".
OP: Just give yours a try and report back... you don't need to go looking for problems, they will find you all on their own. You can return it if you hate it or it has issues.
I have my own opinions about what's good, and what's sometimes bad, about Rics, as a guy whose main bass has been a Ric for over four years now. But I don't really feel like cramming them down your throat, make up your own mind.
I wouldn't go that far. This is a place of information exchange... there is a lot of good information, and a lot of bad information.
I have my own opinions about what's good, and what's sometimes bad, about Rics, as a guy whose main bass has been a Ric for over four years now. But I don't really feel like cramming them down your throat, make up your own mind.
I wouldn't go that far. This is a place of information exchange... there is a lot of good information, and a lot of bad information.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
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That's why I said for the most part, rather than always. I'm a glass half full kinda gal.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
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- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
So have you gone through this whole forum and searched out every Rickenbacker thread and posted this same post with the bogus claims of quality problems.
Rics have their problems ... you don't need to make up ones about weak pickups and dead spots.
All manufacturers use the same shipping boxes and plastic cases ...
Wow, with an axe to grind and love of exaggeration......
You certainly have some valid criticisms but are reaching quite a bit to push whatever negative agenda you have as well.
You certainly have some valid criticisms but are reaching quite a bit to push whatever negative agenda you have as well.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Sure, but when people are complaining about "warped" necks and the like... Sounds like the bass just needs a decent setup. Some people don't understand that the neck should be perfectly flat - no relief. Also, the truss rod is biflex. When I see people complain about buzzing frets I tend to think they've tightened the truss rods too far.
This guy obviously has an axe to grind. He buys some seconds from the largest impersonal warehouse retailer in the world, and pronounces that Rickenbacker is a bad company. Sheesh. Many of his "issues" are patently ridiculous. He has several threads floating around here, all with the same complaints, same pics, same list of grievances. When an attempt is made to set him straight, he complains of "fanboys", whatever that means.
Just my $0.02 since other s are joining in.
Mine is a made in 2002 4003 Jetglo. It is effectively flawless but for some binding issue; basically its coming off in several places, I suspect the previous owner is to blame for this rather than Ric, but I can't be sure.
- Inconsistent qualityI only have one so i don't know
- Multiple dead spots on the fretboardMine has none
- Poorly cut nutMine is cut perfectly
- Nut and truss rod cover that extends beyond the necknot on mine
- Crooked truss rod covernot on mine
- Poor bridge - it bends, it's not always able to advance down far enough to get the action rightMine is not bent, and my action is super low
- Excessive neck bow - maxed out truss rodsNope
- The Midnight Blue bleeding issueMine is black
- Poor finish qualityNope
- Inferior quality wood - truss rod ends dig into the soft wood which creates adjustment - problems - they max out in no timereally?
- Defective electronicser, not on mine, how many were in your "survey"?
- Weak pickupsDefine weak, mine will blow away any fender
- Flimsy case that's prone to crack easilyThis is true, and the restraining staps break off, they are glued on which is ridiculous
- Flimsy box they use for shippingcan't comment as mine was used
- A defunct customer serviceNever contacted them
Mine is a made in 2002 4003 Jetglo. It is effectively flawless but for some binding issue; basically its coming off in several places, I suspect the previous owner is to blame for this rather than Ric, but I can't be sure.
You may be right about the previous owner. I have a '72 4001 and an '86 4003 with no finish or binding issues but who knows. A good luthier could probably take care of that problem for you.
I have 3 4003's. A Midnight Blue one has the bleed problem, but is otherwise one of the
best basses I've ever played. The other two aren't far behind. No tail lift problems. My
Blue Boy remains blue instead of having turned green. Pickups evenly balanced. All very
pleasant to play. Great sound.
Anyone who complains about the sharp front edge shouldn't have bought the bass in
the first place. They could have figured that out in the store.
The only issue I'd go along with 100% is the hard case that they are supplied in. They DO
have a nasty habit of cracking around the feet. Mine are normally stored upright on the
rear edge, so it's not a huge inconvenience, just a bit annoying. I'd say if you're buying
a Ric from a store, negotiate for a better case - they'll probably stick the Ric case on
Ebay and sell it for a a profit. You'd then end up with a decent case.
In case the OP hasn't noticed, Ric-bashing is a blood sport on TB, in a way that Fender
and Gibson would be terrified of.
best basses I've ever played. The other two aren't far behind. No tail lift problems. My
Blue Boy remains blue instead of having turned green. Pickups evenly balanced. All very
pleasant to play. Great sound.
Anyone who complains about the sharp front edge shouldn't have bought the bass in
the first place. They could have figured that out in the store.
The only issue I'd go along with 100% is the hard case that they are supplied in. They DO
have a nasty habit of cracking around the feet. Mine are normally stored upright on the
rear edge, so it's not a huge inconvenience, just a bit annoying. I'd say if you're buying
a Ric from a store, negotiate for a better case - they'll probably stick the Ric case on
Ebay and sell it for a a profit. You'd then end up with a decent case.
In case the OP hasn't noticed, Ric-bashing is a blood sport on TB, in a way that Fender
and Gibson would be terrified of.
