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Anything About a Rickenbacker 4003?

#121
mcblahflooper94 said:
Question- do Rics have thick necks or skinny shredding necks? Thanks
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From what I've read around here different year Rics come with different neck profiles, but I think in general they are a bit thicker than your average Jazz bass neck front-to-back, and the fingerboard is wider at the nut. That is certainly the case with my late-model 4003. It's not slow, though, once you get used to it.
 
#122
Spectrum said:
From what I've read around here different year Rics come with different neck profiles, but I think in general they are a bit thicker than your average Jazz bass neck front-to-back, and the fingerboard is wider at the nut. That is certainly the case with my late-model 4003. It's not slow, though, once you get used to it.
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Cool (: one day I'll own on. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but some day.
D:
 
#124
Fishheadjoe said:
I bought the RIC because I like the looks and I like the sound. I had a RIC back in the 80's but was forced to sell it. I took advantage of the MF sale, because I like them. I had to return the first one I got from MF because there were paint smudges under the clear coat and the tone controls did nothing.
The 2nd one they sent me required a fret leveling, a nut cut, buzzing saddle on the G string and a crooked trebel p/u. I kept it because frankly, I did not know what a 3rd bass might end up having wrong with it.
A p/u mounted incorrectly had to be done at the p/u stage of their building process. How anyone can release a p/u which is clearly not correct, into production either speaks to the employee, or the company's internal acceptance of "quality".
So, given what was said above, ie, the treble cover would make it ok, should I leave it on... no where on the RIC site does it say you must leave it on or face the consequences... heck even J Hall talks about how easy it is to take off. The p/u cover is not part of the p/u's design, it's part of the basses looks. It makes no difference to tone.It's not right and most of you know it... I would not accept that from any other manufacturer, so why should I from RIC?
I would LOVE to see RIC get their act together... but based on the attitude they seem to enjoy projecting... why should they?
Fishheadjoe
edit - Ric5, it's far enough off that I am questioning whether or not the treble p/u bezel I was planning on buying will actually fit or if I am going to have to "customize" it because someone at RIC either can't see straight or simply doesn't care!
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Just loosen the two screws holding the coil to the bottom plate, straighten the coil on that plate, and re-tighten the screws.
 
#125
jgroh said:
Yep. I had an 88 4003 that was really nice. But my 09 4003 KILLS in every way.
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is the neck on your 2009 like a baseball bat??? i tried one it 09 and that's what turned me off of it quite a bit. i can handle thick necks but this thing literally had to have had the thickest neck out of all the basses i've ever tried. the tone was also really thin and very mellow for a rick. idk.. i still wanna give some more ricks and definatly some clones a try though when i get a chance.
 
#127
Back to the OP's question:

Problems:
Difficult adjustments and setups
Horrendous bridge design
Thin and/or frail paint somewhat prone to failure
Can be heavy
Some people have problems with ergonomics and sharp edges
Can be noisy
General inconsistency in almost every facet of their production


I've owned 3 Rics. They all had issues. To me, Ric's strengths are their tone, their playability (for the most part), and their looks. I sold my first two Ric's and although flawed they were great basses. The great thing about Ric's is that because they are more of a hand made product, you have some inconsistencies that turn an average bass into an amazing bass. It goes both ways though.

I have a 97' 4003 that is a beautiful instrument. The finish has held nicely, the burst is sexy, the tone is killer, and the neck is the best of any Ric I've tried.

There are problems with Rics. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. It's good that everyone know those problems before spending upwards of two grand on one; and yes you can get them cheaper at a very small group of retailers, I advise everyone to buy from Pick of the Ricks.

As far as the comparisons to Fender or Gibson, you have to remember that both of those companies probably put out 10 times what Ric puts out every year. So even if you did hear as much bad publicity about QC, it's still not a fair comparison, IMO.
 
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#128
If I have learned anything on TB, it is that Rick basses are an acquired taste, and not for the run of the mill bass player.

Same goes for Gibson Thunderbird basses.

If you want a stock bass that has a standard tone, get a Fender P bass.

Ricks and T Birds are known for having a distinct look and unique tone. They are not perfect. I have never played a perfect bass. Just good ones and bad ones.
 
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#130
hi,sorry to hear about your problems.
Slightly off thread but relevant to pick ups.
I,ve had my 99 since 99.Some people would call these qc issues but I don,t.
I had to adjust the truss rods to flatten the neck.
I had what I thought was a weak neck pick up.
I had the pup all the way up as far as it would go and was quiet compared to the bridge pup,even took the grommets out to get it higher.
measured the pups with a meter-11.8k for the neck and 11.98 for the bridge.
One day I had a brain wave-I put it on the neck pup and lowered it until it sounded really nice to my ears,had to put the grommets back in.Then I balanced the volume of the bridge pup to the neck pup by ear.The overall volume was lower than it was but it sung like a bird,not a thunderbird before any joker gets in.
Although it was quieter than before it was still as loud as my musicman but the tone is awesome.Years later I come across somewhere that this was the way to do it,might have been joeysbassnotes.
Finish wise it is still perfect apart from a few "mojo" marks over the years.
I did replace the bridge for a hipshot one and now sporting a polished stainless steel scratcher as well as the vintage push/pull switch.
Apart from that it,s more than you can wish for.
I still get excited opening the case with three feet missing and pulling it out-one day I will epoxy them back in.
I have a musicman sub not because it was cheaper but because I prefered the look over the so called real ones.
I have a Thunderbird pro 4 epi cause its active,through neck without the neck break issues and a great bridge which should be standard on then all.
A p-bass which has had everything replaced apart from the body.
I think what I,m getting at is they all need a bit of work to work for you.
The pup issue is a bummer but can be fixed so don,t be down.Take my p-bass it,s like grandads broom,best broom ever had 5 handles and 3 heads over the years but it,s the best broom ever made,don,t make em like that any more.
 

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