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Hey Ric Owners/Players...got a question

Geddyfleaharris

Geddyfleaharris

Mar 5, 2007
3,237
1,320
Portage la Prairie, MB, Canada
#1
Hopefully some of the regular Ric guys are around on this fine Halloween evening (Chronicle, Rickenboogie, Kenny Allyn to name a few).

I own a 2007 4003 and I am thinking of buying a 1989 4003. If I buy I will basically end up paying the same price for this bass as I did for my 2007 (approx $1650). The '89 is mint and for a lot of reasons I am willing to pay the price.

My question is does anyone have opinions on what the major differences between my new 4003 and the '89 will be (other than the '89 does not have the vintage pull knob)? Is the price unreasonable? As I said I am prepared to pay but just curious as to others' thoughts.

Thanks guys and/or gals! :bassist:
 
#3
I'm looking to sell my '81 4001. I'm thinking $1450. I want to sell it but am having trouble parting with it. I've realized that it simply isn't the sound I'm going for but it has that iconoclastic feel and it was always the "goal" bass. Now that I have it, I'm not digging it. Perhaps I should put it in the sale section.....
 
#5
I think the neck of the newer one will be thinner IIRC they changed the neck profile in 2006 or so
but I remember playing one in the late 90s (not sure how old it was, guess mid 90s) and the neck was thinner than my 2005 4003 or at least how I remember it
 
#6
Thanks for the replies so far guys. Keep them coming!:D The little technical things that some of you have posted are the things I have been curious about. So far nothing that has been posted is making me re-think purchasing it. The only thing bugging me a bit is the price but new ones on Ebay are being listed for $2100+. Not sure if anyone pays that or not....:hmm:
 
#8
Thunder Pulse said:
What's so special about this '89?
Click to expand...

well it's in the States and I am in Canada for one LOL :D

Not sure if I would classify it as "special" or not but it is midnite blue with black binding, black pick guard and black hardware. I phoned Rickenbacker today and they for sure do not make them like that anymore nor have they made them with black hardware for quite awhile.
 
#11
The price isnt really that unreasonable (or atleast not 'unusual')

The demand is huge for these basses, so the used ones bring high prices. Look at it like this, you can either buy this one for 1600 and have it today (so to speak) or you can pay 1600 and have a new one in 6 months (If you're lucky)
 
#13
Panda Licker said:
The price isnt really that unreasonable (or atleast not 'unusual')

The demand is huge for these basses, so the used ones bring high prices. Look at it like this, you can either buy this one for 1600 and have it today (so to speak) or you can pay 1600 and have a new one in 6 months (If you're lucky)
Click to expand...

My thinking is that no matter what I am not going to lose money. You are right about the demand and prices.

Our local store says they have 2 new ones on order, don't know when they are coming (I bought the last one they got, right place at the right time) and don't know what color they are or any details about them. So far they have only had 1 this year and that was the one I bought.
 
#15
I had an 87 and it was SWEET! The neck was awesome! As long as it is a mid 80's or later it has the modern truss rod configuration. I then got a 2004 that had a thick neck, we did a 4-2-5 on it and then got a bug for a 4004, and sold it. I may trade the 4004 back for the 4003, as I just built a P/J and that is the sound I was looking for. And the 4003 will give me a nice alternate sound. I only use Chromes BTW.
 
#16
Well guys in the end I did not get the bass. It was on Ebay. There were no bids through the listing period. I was waiting to bid at the last moment so as not to tip my hand. 2 other bids came in in the last minute and it just ended up going for more than I was willing to pay along with the shipping, duties etc.

Thanks for the replies

I also have to say that it made me a little nervous to buy something without ever having played it. Being a Ric I am sure I would have been fine with it but this was the biggest purchase I had ever looked at on Ebay so nerves did play a factor.
 

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