First-Ever Rick: 4003S

I've had dozens of Rics over the years 60's-2000s including a V63 and C64. My 2018 4003s is the best I've owned. Great playing and sounding bass. Congratulations on your new Ric.

 

Good one - for a first ric, you can't go wrong with a new "s". I've been an almost exclusively ric player for a long time and even though the hairpinned 4001 and 4001s basses are my bread and butter, i am a huge fan of the 4003 and 4003s. More road-worthy and as solid and dependable as they come and very easy to get along with in my experience. Good choice!

 

I love my 4003! It’s a 2019 and was built just before they started using the new tailpiece. Doesn’t really bother me too much, I haven’t had to touch it since I set it up. Only issue with it at all was the nut, filed it down to where it should be and the thing plays like a dream. Unfortunately, I don’t use it on stage right now, the looks don’t quite fit my current project. Yes, I know it shouldn’t matter, but it matters to me, I am only using FSO’s in this band.

 

Enjoy, once it finally arrives!

Just so you know, it'll be essentially impossible to get a legit RIC truss rod cover in black. They aren't made by RIC, or if they are, they aren't available for purchase by anybody. You'll have to go to the Far East to get a trademark-infringing copy, if you actually want one. Welcome to RIC, the company!

It will be a killer bass, I am sure. Nothing quite plays and sounds like a 4001/3!

 

Yes, it is nearly impossible to get a legit black Rick TRC, but the stock white one is easily "converted." I've posted this several times on various forums, so bear with me if this is familiar.
It's easy to "convert" your stock white-plastic, black-lettering TRC to black with white lettering. Oh; before you get going, take the TRC off the bass!
Get a spray can (rattle can) of black paint (enamel or lacquer). Apply a couple of light coats over the entire face of the TRC. You don't have to blast it on; black covers well and you don't want a drippy mess. When the paint is dry, use a fairly fine-grit (320-grit should do) wet-or-dry sandpaper on a block and sand the paint off the raised lettering. Wet sanding will help keep the sandpaper from clogging. Rinse off the sanding residue, and you'll have a black TRC with raised white lettering.

 

I just got mine on Etsy. It has raised lettering and everything. I personally don't care about authenticity especially considering how difficult it is to get genuine stuff from Ric. Looks and feels great. Here's a vid on my 4003S showing how it looks-

 

But, just above being a musician/artist is minimalism on the ladder of values of hipsterism.

Binding and triangle inlays are the path back to squareness.

…man.

 

Nice bass, its worth the wait!

 

the 4003s Mapleglo is a very nice bass and well worth all the wait. Here's mine, a 2018.

 

My 2018 4003s Mapleglo is my (so far) best Rick too. Had two standard 4003:s before (a 2006 and a 2003), both nice basses, but for some reason we never "clicked". My 4003s, however, felt like mine from the start, and it just feels better every time I play it.