I bought a new 4003 about 3 months ago. I love it. I find it weird that most complaints I’ve heard about them don’t really apply to the one I got. I had a guy tell me the neck is a baseball bat. When asked, because it’s simply not true, he said he had just read that online.
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Just bought my first Rickenbacker. What now?
- Thread starter birminghambass
- Start date
I forgot about that one. When I first got my ‘15, I brought it and my ‘83 to a luthier and asked him to match the ‘15 to the ‘83, which has amazingly wonderful action. Apparently in recent years Ric leaves the string slots intentionally high “to allow for personal preference,” which is BS, there is only one correct height for a nut slot. Having the nut slot cut properly made a surprising difference to the comfort and playability.
I know what you mean....the 4003 (I have a Midnight Blue as well) is as uncomfortable as it gets..but I love it. Now, I also bought a 4003S....this one is as easy going as it gets. I can play it all night without it bothering me (binding I guess) so there's that I guess..... Slàinte Mhath - Cheers!
My 1988 4003s
I have brass Hipshot bridge on mine. I liked the tone of the brass bridge better than the aluminum one.
I put 2015 pickups in, since the pole pieces are adjustable. I was able to compensate for a lower output E-string that way.
Black pickguard from Ricky Sounds
Black truss rod cover from Ebay.
Love it through the Hiwatt!
I have brass Hipshot bridge on mine. I liked the tone of the brass bridge better than the aluminum one.
I put 2015 pickups in, since the pole pieces are adjustable. I was able to compensate for a lower output E-string that way.
Black pickguard from Ricky Sounds
Black truss rod cover from Ebay.
Love it through the Hiwatt!
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Got a ric in the early 70s because i just loved the way they looked. A good bass for sure, used it for almost two years. Eventually i sold it and got another PBass. For whatever reasons, my ideal bass sound was associated with the PBass. No one noticed the difference but me, so play what you want. There is no denying the beauty of the ric.
Yes. OP, my recommendation is that you try to forget everything you've read on the internet -- including the comments here -- and just play it like any other bass. I'm not saying these comments aren't valid, but they may not be valid to you.
You of course had to remind me that I have some Kilchoman Loch Gorm, Ardbeg BizarrBQ, and Oban Little Bay calling me from the cabinet . . . but I have to work.
Oh, I should also add, I like moving the strap pin from the upper horn to the neck heel, find them much more comfortable on the strap that way.
How's that BizarrBQ? Worth the hefty price tag? Love me some Ardbeg.You of course had to remind me that I have some Kilchoman Loch Gorm, Ardbeg BizarrBQ, and Oban Little Bay calling me from the cabinet . . . but I have to work.
I’ve owned 3 Rics (two 4001’s and a 4003), the only mod I found necessary was the removal of the bridge pickup cover and fitting a pickup surround bezel. Some guys replace the bridges for various reasons but I always liked and kept the stock bridge on mine.
I'm happy you have a new bass.
_________,__ __ __________ _______ ____ __________ ______ _____________. __________ .
I think that's about it.
_________,__ __ __________ _______ ____ __________ ______ _____________. __________ .
I think that's about it.
I have a 1970 4001. Since 1979. Got it in high school. Just recently had the frets leveled and the bass set up beautifully. As they’re passive, and not that hot, I’ve found that a Sadowsky pre pedal makes it really shine. Just enough EQ to bring out its natural voice. Enjoy. Fun ahead.
They sometimes *do* have a baseball bat neck. QC is inconsistent in that.
I’ve had five Rics. All of them had different necks. One of them, I immediately returned - it never left the store. Sounded great, but the neck had a VERY BAD U-shaped profile. I have honestly played double basses with thinner necks than that one.
So don’t dismiss it as a myth, because it does happen.
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OP here, I think I'll definitely shield it. I shield every bass with copper tape. The bridge has no tail lift, so I'm good with keeping it stock. I'll probably add the 47cap, as I'm trying to get that Geddy Rick tone.
I'm anxious about the neck, I keep reading how necks from that era are huge. I once had a early 2000s Warwick that had a neck so thick it was painful to play.
I'm anxious about the neck, I keep reading how necks from that era are huge. I once had a early 2000s Warwick that had a neck so thick it was painful to play.
Good for you! I bought my first Ric in ‘79 and I still have it. All I can say is give yourself time to get used to it. Oh - get yourself a nice strap! I also put a Hipshot bridge on mine and it made a difference.
