Fireglo or Walnut Ric 4003, and why?

[flashgod]

Honestly I have to inform you, that you will end up in having both.
My dream bass was always a Jetglo, so I bought one. The Walnut became real iconic and I dig the satin finish. Next purchase Walnut.

 

[plav1959]

That Fireglo and a 4003SW. Best of both worlds

 

[sc_precision]

I vote walnut. Being a big Lemmy fan, his main bass in his later years was a walnut winged custom bass that was more light weight. It sucks Rickenbacker won't reissue the 4004LK again (when I talked to Ric the other day they said they don't want to capitalize on Lemmy's estate). I did ask Ric too if they could make some walnut 4004s with rosewood fingerboards but they told me there were no plans.

 

[mikeswals]

I prefer a hard finish. I had a walnut one once, ended up hating that raw feeling wax finish.

 

[jd56hawk]

Sorry, I wouldn't play a Fireglo Ric if I found it on my front porch tomorrow morning...never liked the typical fretboard markers and not a big burst fan.
Now, the Walnut finish is one of their best finishes...not to mention, maple puts it over the top!
Actually had one in my cart on Reverb last month.

 

[TaySte_2000]

What's the finish on the back of the neck like on the Walnut ones?

I like the thick gloss that's on my '99 Fireglo ric, but the Walnut looks amazing I just don't like a satin finish on the back of a neck.

 

[Gopherbassist]

I vote walnut. Being a big Lemmy fan, his main bass in his later years was a walnut winged custom bass that was more light weight. It sucks Rickenbacker won't reissue the 4004LK again (when I talked to Ric the other day they said they don't want to capitalize on Lemmy's estate). I did ask Ric too if they could make some walnut 4004s with rosewood fingerboards but they told me there were no plans.

Why did you bump this?

 

[Goatrope]

I always wanted the walnut, due to a traumatic teenage experience. So that's my vote.

When I bought my 4001 in '78, the receipt said "walnut". After several years I realized it was actually what they called "autumn glo". I had already been happily sqawking about my new "walnut" Rick.

Quite traumatic for that 17yo me.

I still have that 4001, which got new frets a couple weeks ago.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I like walnut with oil finish, just completed this build last week, it's a full 1lb lighter than a solid maple 4003.

 

[toothguy]

That is such a fantastic build of an iconic bass. Bravo!!

 

[Mike Vee]

walnut - i love natural wood

 

[sc_precision]

Why did you bump this?

Why not?

 

[sc_precision]

I like walnut with oil finish, just completed this build last week, it's a full 1lb lighter than a solid maple 4003.

Amazing! What bridge was used?

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Schaller Roller Bridge, custom brass nut, (3) Ric hi-gains with a 6-way Freeway switch.

 

[sc_precision]

Schaller Roller Bridge, custom brass nut, (3) Ric hi-gains with a 6-way Freeway switch.

Is that bridge made with brass or aluminum?

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I don't actually know, but it's too heavy to be aluminum. Could be chromed brass or just chromed zinc. Very nice bridge, the roller saddles allow you to adjust string spacing, everything very well made.

 

[sc_precision]

I don't actually know, but it's too heavy to be aluminum. Could be chromed brass or just chromed zinc. Very nice bridge, the roller saddles allow you to adjust string spacing, everything very well made.

Do you know if the original run of the Lemmy 4004LK bass was lacquered or is it more like the 4003walnut ric's that it's open wood? (no pun intended).

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I don't know, never seen a real one in person, but I'll guess it's an oil finish of some kind. Doesn't look super-shiny in the photos I've seen. Again, if anyome knows, it would be @PaulBoyer. I decided on Tru Oil pretty early on, it "pops" walnut really nicely, and it stupid easy to apply. I only put one coat on the carvings, I did't want to gum up the details.

 

[sc_precision]

I don't know, never seen a real one in person, but I'll guess it's an oil finish of some kind. Doesn't look super-shiny in the photos I've seen. Again, if anyome knows, it would be @PaulBoyer. I decided on Tru Oil pretty early on, it "pops" walnut really nicely, and it stupid easy to apply. I only put one coat on the carvings, I did't want to gum up the details.

I found out shortly after posting that.

Bass of the Week: Rickenbacker Limited Edition Lemmy Kilmister Signature 4004LK

Says flat oil polished finish.

What color does the tru oil turn walnut by the way? Considering buying a walnut Rickenbacker 4003. I know John Hall mentioned in the Ric forums a type of wax to use to give it a polished look but the manufacturer no longer makes it anymore so someone did mention tru oil.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Tru oil has a fair bit of amber tone to it, which looks great on Walnut. Clear water based poly just looks kind of "grey" and lifeless on walnut IMO. When Tru Oil starts getting dull or scratched you just add another coat or two. It dries to a natural semi-gloss that can be buffed up to full gloss, or knocked back to satin with a grey scotchbrite. I assume Ric uses something similar, basically oil varnish with some kind of drier added. They probably spray it, I did mine with foam makeup applicators, around 10 coats.