NBD: Ricky 4003sw

[Relsom]

Great choice in a new RIC. Congratulations! I've had 2 of the SWs. How are the fret ends on yours? Both of mine needed work. Something not normally required on the other "S" models, but worth it in the end.

 

[bassist4dalord]

If I were buying a Ric that would be it, with some TIJFs.

Congratulations! Play it in good health!

 

[MAJOR METAL]

Congrats, the bass looks great! PS if you want to upgrade your pickups, here is a few pickup manufacturers that make pickups for Ricks:

Rickenbacker™

Rickenbacker Humbucker

 

[Border]

Congratulations on your gorgeous new bass!! That is a thing of beauty. I hope you have many great years of music with her. Great pic of you as well. I have that same Rolling Stones hat, from a few tours ago.
Take care, stay well.

 

[jamro217]

Beautiful grain pattern on your new bass. Yay!!! again.

 

[Moosehead1966]

Hello, Marc here from Canada. That is a beautiful 4003sw GCPENG.

I ordered a Rickenbacker Jetglo 4003 in January 2020. Expected delivery stated to be a year at that time. I’m sure that will be extended given current climate of Covid-19. That said, any observations you could share regarding construction, playability, etc. would be appreciated.

Thank you, Marc

 

[Drog]

Nice 4003sw! I too have just recently brought one home (just before all the craziness hit) and have not posted pics of mine (need to get around to that).

I have install a Hipshot bridge on mine but caution to others, the new Rickenbacker bridge mounts in different spot and I needed to drill new holes for the Hipshot to go on and be far enough back for me to intonate properly.

These are awesome basses, mine weighs in at 8lbs on the nose. Nice and light.

I might at some point replace the neck pickup as it is really low output and too muddy in comparison to the bridge. But for now I use it blended, with neck rolled off.

 

[Drog]

Here is my 4003SW with Hipshot

 

[conrad H]

Hello, Marc here from Canada. That is a beautiful 4003sw GCPENG.

I ordered a Rickenbacker Jetglo 4003 in January 2020. Expected delivery stated to be a year at that time. I’m sure that will be extended given current climate of Covid-19. That said, any observations you could share regarding construction, playability, etc. would be appreciated.

Thank you, Marc

I feel your pain. I ordered a 4003 Fireglo from Long & McQuade October ,2019 . No way to know how long the wait will be.

 

[GCPENG]

Nice 4003sw! I too have just recently brought one home (just before all the craziness hit) and have not posted pics of mine (need to get around to that).

I have install a Hipshot bridge on mine but caution to others, the new Rickenbacker bridge mounts in different spot and I needed to drill new holes for the Hipshot to go on and be far enough back for me to intonate properly.

These are awesome basses, mine weighs in at 8lbs on the nose. Nice and light.

I might at some point replace the neck pickup as it is really low output and too muddy in comparison to the bridge. But for now I use it blended, with neck rolled off.

I do find the neck pickup to have lower output than the bridge pickup as well.

 

[Aragrim]

I really wanna try a Rickenbacker but I'm afraid of the wide nut! I'm used to tiny 38mm wide nut necks...

 

[GCPENG]

Hello, Marc here from Canada. That is a beautiful 4003sw GCPENG.

I ordered a Rickenbacker Jetglo 4003 in January 2020. Expected delivery stated to be a year at that time. I’m sure that will be extended given current climate of Covid-19. That said, any observations you could share regarding construction, playability, etc. would be appreciated.

Thank you, Marc

I known another Marc from the Soo as well!

I bought mine off the rack at Long & McQuade, so no waiting, other than my own decision-making time. I have found no faults whatsoever, with the exception of noticing that the neck pickup is quieter/lower output from the bridge pickup. The bass plays well - at least as well as me, but that's no high bar. I love the sound!

 

[GCPENG]

Great choice in a new RIC. Congratulations! I've had 2 of the SWs. How are the fret ends on yours? Both of mine needed work. Something not normally required on the other "S" models, but worth it in the end.

No work needed on this one, as far as I can see.

 

[flannel cat]

I look forward to the day when I can post a Rickenbacker of my very own,,,nice bass sir! I see you have the black headstock plate id find the black pickguard too,,low end lobsters ric looks pretty damn fine in the black duds.

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

So Anyway, I ordered the same one and it came last month.
First time I got to play it out was at a Sunday afternoon country gig. Our governor announced during our break that all the bars and restaurants would need to close the following day. So now I'm playing it while watching the first season of Fargo on Hulu.
But it's a very nice instrument, and will be my primary gig bass when things get going again.

I also took the sticker off... and left the cover on.
Congrats!

 

[GCPENG]

So Anyway, I ordered the same one and it came last month.
First time I got to play it out was at a Sunday afternoon country gig. Our governor announced during our break that all the bars and restaurants would need to close the following day. So now I'm playing it while watching the first season of Fargo on Hulu.
But it's a very nice instrument, and will be my primary gig bass when things get going again. View attachment 3773686I also took the sticker off... and left the cover on.
Congrats!

I’m leaving the cover on as well. I’m not used to playing with one, but it’s a weird kind of novelty playing around it. I do find it to be a useful position reference when I’m playing between the pickups.

 

[Koshchei]

Nice 4003sw! I too have just recently brought one home (just before all the craziness hit) and have not posted pics of mine (need to get around to that).

I have install a Hipshot bridge on mine but caution to others, the new Rickenbacker bridge mounts in different spot and I needed to drill new holes for the Hipshot to go on and be far enough back for me to intonate properly.

These are awesome basses, mine weighs in at 8lbs on the nose. Nice and light.

I might at some point replace the neck pickup as it is really low output and too muddy in comparison to the bridge. But for now I use it blended, with neck rolled off.

Think of the neck pickup as a flavour enhancer to boost the lows on the bridge pickup in stock format. Otherwise, the Nordenbacker big single is supposed to be an excellent replacement.

 

[Davbassdude]

That is a beatiful instrument! It haseverythingwe want from a Ric, along with a maple neck and form-fitted case!

 

[woodyng2]

Is it the right time to be spending cash on a bass that isn’t essential for me? Definitely not. Having said that, I present to you my brand new 2020 Rickenbacker 4003sw:

Beautiful bass! And it looks like they are really contouring the upper body,(where your forearm goes), like the 4004 models. I don’t know if that’s more of a thing with the walnut versions, but my Cheyenne has the deepest contours of any of my 4004s.

 

[Pet Sounds]

Congratulations! I think the 4003SW is one of the most beautiful basses made by Rickenbacker. I like their appearance better than I do the 4003W. There's something about that wood grain and the unbound body that's very classy.