There is still one 4030 for sale at Willcutt Guitars. Post pictures of the conversion.
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New Rickenbacker 4030!
- Thread starter Bass4ThePublic
- Start date
I don't think I'm going to actually get one because they're thousands of dollars each. I would if I could, but my wallet is not giving me permission.
I will post pictures when I eventually get one.
Don't listen to your wallet. It doesn't know what it's saying. Listen to the other voices. They're a lot more fun.
They posted this on their facialbook page too. Now I have to find out who's selling them. I might need a new bass.
Exactly. Isn't the whole point of a short scale bass the reduced reach and light weight?Seems the reach would be the same as a long scale with the bridge positioned that far up the body. Weird.
Has anyone seen one of the new 4030s actually for sale anywhere? I've emailed a few dealers... nothing. Was this just a teaser by Ric to judge public response? I've got a credit card with an available balance and a new guitar stand waiting for a new bass.
Can anyone explain the purpose of these? I honestly don't get it. I'm obviously missing something.
I'll try to explain from my perspective... The 4030, the 4030S and the 4003 are the same body size and shape and weight. Identical... The bridge on the 4030 is moved up to give a 30 1/2" shorter scale as compared to the standard 33 1/4 of the 4003. The distance from the center of the body out to the nut is the same on both models. As I was first learning to play bass and learning what size/shape/scale worked for me, I found most basses with 34" necks to be too long and the space between the frets too wide for my short little sausage fingers. I tried short scale 30" basses. I liked the closer finger spread but the body/shape/size always felt wrong for me. Several years ago I tried a 4003 Ric and found the scale and the reach to the nut and first fret to be very comfortable. When the first 4030 was available from willcutt in 2022, I took a chance and bought one. The Goldilocks bass if you will. The reach to the nut was great, I the finger spread was closer and a little comfortable, and well... it's a Ric. For me to make the switch from 4003 to the 4030 shorter scale was very easy.
If you already play a 4003, you might not need a 4030. If you play a 4003 and find the finger spread a little long, this could be good for someone. When willcutt sold the 4030 in 2022 (Ruby and Midnight Blue) and 2024 (Autumnglo), they were a very limited edition of 25 each and sold out real fast. The recent post from Ric makes it sound like this is a wide release item in four colors.
I hope this helps explain a little of it from my perspective. Everyone else will have a differing viewpoint. Keep asking questions.
While we are on the subject of Ric scale length, here's a picture with the nuts of several basses lined up.
You can see the size of the 4003 (left and right ends) and 4030 (center) are the same. The bridge of the 4030 is moved toward the center of the body.
4003 --- 4005xc --- 4030 --- 3000 --- 4003FL
You can see the size of the 4003 (left and right ends) and 4030 (center) are the same. The bridge of the 4030 is moved toward the center of the body.
4003 --- 4005xc --- 4030 --- 3000 --- 4003FL
Thanks Steve. Is the reach to the 1st fret actually closer than a 4003? Do they reposition the fretboard?
So, Bass Direct has some and Guitar Village....dang, why can't we get the cool purple 4003 here in the states?
www.bassdirect.co.uk
guitarvillage.co.uk
Rickenbacker 4030S Walnut - Bass Direct
The 2025 Rickenbacker 4030s is a short scale bass hand built in the USA! This 30" scale bass features a walnut body, maple/walnut neck and rosewood fingerboard for warmth and clarity. 24 frets on this particular model make for more versatility and it is supplied with a fitted Rickenbacker hardcase.
www.bassdirect.co.uk
Rickenbacker Special Edition 4030S Midnight Green #2528782 - Guitar Village
The Rickenbacker Special Edition 4030S has a Maple Body, Maple & Walnut Neck, Rosewood Fingerboard, Schaller M4 Tuners, RIC V2 Bridge, 2 x Hot Toaster Top Pickups, Incl. Hard Case. Specifications: Brand : Rickenbacker Model : Special Edition 4030S Colour : Midnight Green SKU : 504030SMIG Body ...
guitarvillage.co.uk
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The reach to the nut is exactly the same. The fret board is placed the same. Here's where things get funny. The first fret is actually like 3/16" more of a reach (further away) on the 4030 than it is on the 4003. As the 4030 frets are spaced for the 30" scale, the are of course closer together. So while the reach to the nut is the same on both, the reach to the first fret is actually greater while the reach between frets is smaller. For me, I figure out where my left hand is by finding the nut, then my short finger spacing finds the next frets easier on the 4030 then on the 4003. Does that help explain it? What else can I answer?
I think I need to take a few pictures of a 4030, 4003, and a 34" long scale together. Something for me to do today. Stay tuned.
Yes it looks like the 4030S and purple are a UK thing, so far as I can tell. A couple of dealers have maple and walnut. One has the dark green (I thought it was black) as pre order with no ETA on arrival to UK. Purple is easier to find. Grrrrr ArggggSo, Bass Direct has some and Guitar Village....dang, why can't we get the cool purple 4003 here in the states?
Rickenbacker 4030S Walnut - Bass Direct
The 2025 Rickenbacker 4030s is a short scale bass hand built in the USA! This 30" scale bass features a walnut body, maple/walnut neck and rosewood fingerboard for warmth and clarity. 24 frets on this particular model make for more versatility and it is supplied with a fitted Rickenbacker hardcase.
Rickenbacker Special Edition 4030S Midnight Green #2528782 - Guitar Village
The Rickenbacker Special Edition 4030S has a Maple Body, Maple & Walnut Neck, Rosewood Fingerboard, Schaller M4 Tuners, RIC V2 Bridge, 2 x Hot Toaster Top Pickups, Incl. Hard Case. Specifications: Brand : Rickenbacker Model : Special Edition 4030S Colour : Midnight Green SKU : 504030SMIG Body ...
Thanks again. Guitars and basses are tactile instruments. It's all about feel. I understand how the fret spacing works for you. I hope you can get one. The new neck profile might also be a plus!
I've got one of those weird Ovation Matrix guitars from the late '70s that had the plastic necks and headstocks, the FB being one piece of aluminum with the frets permanently in place as part of the casting.
It sounds exactly like every other Ovation, meaning it sounds like 90% of the rest of the acoustic guitars made over the last century or so, no matter what the materials. I think these kinds of differences tend to be overrated.
It's fine not to like Richlite because you're a cork-sniffer; snobbery is something I understand, being a bit of a headstock snob myself (can't help it). But not liking it because you think it sounds worse is... an interesting take.
