NBD: Rickenbacker 4003 (A childhood dream come true)

[theNecatoR]

After longing for a Rick since I discovered Bass eons ago, I finally got my hands on one. 4003, 2013, Jetglo. It's a keeper!

I usually take pictures of my Basses myself, but the awesome people at RockWall Guitars did a great job already:

Another 50+ pictures HERE.

 

[theNecatoR]

Also, for those who know me, I am totally going to butcher this Bass. Hipshot UltraLites and D-Tuner. Big Radio Knobs (or mybe Rickenbacker TV Knobs). Black Pickguard and black Truss Rod Cover (if I can get them).

 

[cholyoke]

Jetglo is so nice.

 

[Rezdog]

Greetings from the North,

Congrats on a very nice one! Happy playing

Rezdog

 

[msb]

I hope you take to it , there are a few that don't . Me , I love a nice Ric . Congratulations , enjoy !

 

[Paul Boyer]

Nah, that ain't "butchering," that's "murdering" - in that you're going to blacken out much of the white/chrome stuff. Should look cool! Butchering would be removing (sometimes actually digging out) most of the things that make a Rick bass a Rick bass! So I say, "Not Guilty!"

 

[theNecatoR]

I hope you take to it , there are a few that don't . Me , I love a nice Ric . Congratulations , enjoy !

It made me Riff when I first tried it, so, yeah, it has me hooked! It is going to be a though competition between the Rick, Jag and RD.

Nah, that ain't "butchering," that's "murdering" - in that you're going to blacken out much of the white/chrome stuff. Should look cool! Butchering would be removing (sometimes actually digging out) most of the things that make a Rick bass a Rick bass! So I say, "Not Guilty!"

Thanks for the verdict!
Black truss rod cover and big radio knobs (like the ones on my RD) are on the way. I actually did not order a new pickguard yet. I am going to try vinyl decals, I mean, they work on cars, and are way easier to get. I hope that does the trick.

 

[Craig T Vector]

Congrats! Let's see pics of it once you have taken it to the dark side.

 

[theNecatoR]

Not there yet, but getting closer.

 

[msb]

I like it .

 

[theNecatoR]

I just need the new tuners installed and maybe sometime a proper black pick guard.

 

[luciens]

Nah, that ain't "butchering," that's "murdering" - in that you're going to blacken out much of the white/chrome stuff. Should look cool! Butchering would be removing (sometimes actually digging out) most of the things that make a Rick bass a Rick bass! So I say, "Not Guilty!"

Just don't throw the original parts away and try not to drill any new holes. Modding like that really tanks the resale, even ricks with mods go down in value a bunch.

Other than that, the 4003 is a class act and piece of bass history too, and I'm sure you'll love it. I've had 4 or 5 4001/3's (lost count) and if I ever recover financially from buying my jaco, I plan to get another one myself. Enjoy!

L

 

[theNecatoR]

Just don't throw the original parts away and try not to drill any new holes. Modding like that really tanks the resale, even ricks with mods go down in value a bunch.

Other than that, the 4003 is a class act and piece of bass history too, and I'm sure you'll love it. I've had 4 or 5 4001/3's (lost count) and if I ever recover financially from buying my jaco, I plan to get another one myself. Enjoy!

L

I still have the original parts. Still, I never think about resale value with Basses I modify. I understand the reason, but I like having an instrument that suits me, regardless. This one’s a keeper, though.
Now that I have the Rick fever, I need another one to modify heavily XD (same that happened with my RD).

 

[luciens]

I still have the original parts. Still, I never think about resale value with Basses I modify. I understand the reason, but I like having an instrument that suits me, regardless. This one’s a keeper, though.
Now that I have the Rick fever, I need another one to modify heavily XD (same that happened with my RD).

Well replacing the bridge is always an improvement on the 400x so that's a good idea right off the bat lol. Tho the brand new ones seem to have a new design (finally) from the factory. If I ever manage to pay off my jaco pastorius and win the lotto, I'm definitely getting a 4003s Walnut. I've been jonesing for one of those ever since they started coming out...

L

 

[theNecatoR]

Well replacing the bridge is always an improvement on the 400x so that's a good idea right off the bat lol. Tho the brand new ones seem to have a new design (finally) from the factory. If I ever manage to pay off my jaco pastorius and win the lotto, I'm definitely getting a 4003s Walnut. I've been jonesing for one of those ever since they started coming out...

L

I would love to get my hands on the 4003v2 bridge some day soon!

 

[JW56789]

Doesn't look butchered to me, like the move towards an all-black vibe.

But you know, Ric makes their own 'Big Radio' knobs that might be appropriate:

 

[jamro217]

Yay!!!!

 

[theNecatoR]

Doesn't look butchered to me, like the move towards an all-black vibe.

But you know, Ric makes their own 'Big Radio' knobs that might be appropriate:

View attachment 3747683

Yes, I saw those on the Al Cisneros Bass, but they are a bit pricey. I Still think I might want to get them someday though.

 

[MrLenny1]

I had the same bass many moons ago. Miss it,
ENJOY!

 

[Garret Graves]

I wish Hipshot made D-Tuners in the right style. They make one that fits the Ric, but it has the wrong tuner key type- i was set to buy one, but the rep explained the situation, and i declined. If you get one, or if anyone here has one, pics would be appreciated, maybe that would encourage me to make the jump